[{"topic":"Middle East","id":"44235","proposer":"11589","edm":"103","session":"2012-13","title":"Parents Circle -\u0000 Families Forum And Reconciliation In The Middle East","text":"That this House recognises the need to provide a framework for a reconciliation process as an integral part of any future peace agreements between Israel and Palestine; believes that reconciliation is a necessary condition for ensuring a lasting peace in the Middle East; applauds the work of the charity Parents Circle-Families Forum (PCFF) to make an emotional breakthrough; notes that the PCFF is made up of over 600 families, half Israeli and half Palestinian, who have all lost an immediate family member in the conflict; and supports the message ofthe Forum that if Palestinians and Israelis who have paid the highest price of a conflict can sit together and look for a way to peace, then surely others can.","date":"2012-05-21","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"44134","proposer":"10521","edm":"2","session":"2012-13","title":"Living In The Holy Land And National Curriculum","text":"That this House believes that life over the last 100 years in that part of the Middle East known as the Holy Land should form part of the National Curriculum for History so that pupils and students are taught how the State of Israel was created from the former administration of Palestine; and calls on the Secretary of State for Education to encourage the development of an outreach programme so that pupils and students can witness how Palestinians in the twenty first century live both in their former homelands and in refugee camps in neighbouring countries.","date":"2012-05-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"44141","proposer":"10521","edm":"9","session":"2012-13","title":"Israel's Illegal Action In International Waters","text":"That this House condemns the Israeli navy for boarding two ships in international waters in April, the vessels Beethoven and Victoria; is astonished that this serious breach of international law went largely unreported and questions what the attitude would have been had it been any country other than Israel which carried out such an illegal act; is dismayed at the response of the UK Government to this breach of international law by saying that Israel's `legitimate security concerns' were good enough reasons for them to do so; and calls on the UK Government not to supportIsrael in its continuing acts of breaches of international law and UN resolutions in respect of illegal action in international waters and in the illegal occupation of the West Bank and the annexation of East Jerusalem.","date":"2012-05-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"44108","proposer":"10186","edm":"3000","session":"2010-12","title":"BBC Persian","text":"That this House commends the important work BBC Persian does in providing high quality and impartial Persian language news; notes that staff and families of BBC Persian have experienced problems with visa applications and expired passports since the closure of the UK Embassy in Tehran; is concerned about the harassment and intimidation of BBC Persian staff and their families by the Iranian authorities; condemns the jamming of BBC Persian television by the Iranian authorities; and calls on the Government to do all it can to speed up the visa application process for families of BBC Persian staff and to enable UK staff to acquire valid documentation to travel, and to press the Iranian authorities to cease their harassment of staff members and their families immediately.","date":"2012-04-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"44074","proposer":"11589","edm":"2966","session":"2010-12","title":"Parents Circle -\u0000 Families Forum And Reconciliation In The Middle East","text":"That this House recognises the need to provide a framework for a reconciliation process as an integral part of any future peace agreements between Israel and Palestine; believes that reconciliation is a necessary condition for ensuring a lasting peace in the Middle East; applauds the work of the charity Parents Circle-Families Forum (PCFF) to make an emotional breakthrough; notes that the PCFF is made up of over 600 families, half Israeli and half Palestinian, who have all lost an immediate family member in the conflict; and supports the message of the Forum that if Palestinians and Israelis who have paid the highest price of a conflict can sit together and look for a way to peace, then surely others can.","date":"2012-04-17","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"44054","proposer":"10575","edm":"2946","session":"2010-12","title":"Global Peace Index","text":"That this House looks forward to the forthcoming publication by the Institute of Economics and Peace of the sixth annual Global Peace Index, which measures ongoing domestic and international conflict, safety and security in society and militarisation in 158 countries; notes with concern the continuous decrease in internal peacefulness in the Middle East and North Africa in 2011; further notes that violence cost the world an estimated 5.2 trillion in 2011; welcomes the identification in the Index of areas across which governments and other stakeholders can take action which builds social resilience and enables countries better to withstand severe shocks; and urges the Government to consider this peace dividend when developing domestic and external policy.","date":"2012-04-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"44045","proposer":"10133","edm":"2938","session":"2010-12","title":"Ending Discrimination Against Women Athletes In Saudi Arabia","text":"That this House is encouraged by reports that Saudi Arabia, as well as Qatar and Brunei, plans to send women competitors to the London 2012 Olympics, the first time women from those countries will compete in the Olympic Games; believes in the fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter which state, inter alia, that `the practice of sport is a human right' and that `every individual must have the possibility of practising sport, without discrimination of any kind'; and calls on the International Olympic Committee and the UK Government to urge the government of Saudi Arabia to remove the barriers that currently deny women and girls access to sporting facilities and prevent them from exercising and taking part in sporting activities and competitions.","date":"2012-03-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"44027","proposer":"11221","edm":"2920","session":"2010-12","title":"Famagusta, Cyprus","text":"That this House welcomes the clear declaration recently made by the European Parliament calling for Turkey to return the closed area of the town of Famagusta to its rightful inhabitants; notes that this declaration is very clearly in line with the resolution passed by the United Nations Security Council on Famagusta; and calls on the Government andthe EU to make very clear to Turkey the key role that it can play in making certain that real progress is made in ensuring that this declaration is implemented in the very near future and to work closely with the Mayor of Famagusta, Mr Alexis Galanos, in implementing such a settlement.","date":"2012-03-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43959","proposer":"10197","edm":"2855","session":"2010-12","title":"Syria And The International Criminal Court","text":"That this House, believing that the International Criminal Courts prosecutor should begin investigations into the Syrian regime's crimes against humanity, requests the Government to work through the UN Security Council to achieve this end as quickly as is possible.","date":"2012-03-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43953","proposer":"11963","edm":"2849","session":"2010-12","title":"Human Rights In Bahrain (No. 2)","text":"That this House expresses its concern at reports of increased violence by the Bahraini security services in the run up to and aftermath of the anniversary of pro-democracy protests in 2011; notes with deep regret the death of over 50 people during protests since last February as highlighted by Amnesty International; supports the calls in December by the UN Commissioner for Human Rights for the release of political prisoners in Bahrain and reinstatement of all those who lost their jobs as a result of participating in protests; urges the Government to put every diplomatic pressure possible on the government of Bahrain to bring about an immediate end to violence and repression against its own people; and believes the UK should not allow arms, crowd control or surveillance technology to be exported to Bahrain.","date":"2012-03-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43812","proposer":"10383","edm":"2712","session":"2010-12","title":"General Strike In Egypt","text":"That this House expresses its support for the general strike in Egypt due to be held on 11 February 2012 called by the Egyptian Federation of Independent Trade Unions and supported by the Egyptian Democratic Labour Congress, which has been convened to demand the return of the military to barracks and the immediate restoration of civilian rule with the formation of a government free from the influence of members and supporters of the Mubarak regime.","date":"2012-02-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43817","proposer":"10133","edm":"2717","session":"2010-12","title":"Proposed Eu Legislation On Financing Of Illegal Activity In The West Bank","text":"That this House welcomes the December 2011 Report by the EU Heads of Mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah, especially the proposal for appropriate EU legislation to prevent and discourage financial transactions in support of settlement activity; notes the UN Human Rights Council declaration that the Jerusalem Light Rail extension into East Jerusalem is in clear violation of international law and relevant United Nations Resolutions (Resolution 13\/7 of 14 April 2010); and calls on the Government to facilitate and support effective EU legislation to ensure the cessation of EU finance for illegal Israeli settlements and that economic operators aiding and abetting the building, maintenance or servicing of illegal Israeli settlements be excluded from public contracts in the EU.","date":"2012-02-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43753","proposer":"10521","edm":"2656","session":"2010-12","title":"Living In The Holy Land And National Curriculum","text":"That this House believes that life over the last 100 years in that part of the Middle East known as the Holy Land should form part of the National Curriculum for History so that pupils and students are taught how the State of Israel was created from the former administration of Palestine; and calls on the Secretary of State for Educationto encourage the development of an outreach programme so that pupils and students can witness how Palestinians in the 21st century live both in their former homelands and in refugee camps in neighbouring countries.","date":"2012-01-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43737","proposer":"10133","edm":"2640","session":"2010-12","title":"Dialogue With Iran","text":"That this House is deeply concerned at the prospect of war with Iran; is appalled at the naval military build-up in the Persian Gulf and the danger that this may spark a conflict with enormous consequences and loss of life; calls for renewed dialogue with Iran, an end to overt and covert military threats and support for a nuclear-free Middle East as called for by the 2010 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference; and welcomes the Stop the War demonstration outside the US Embassy on 28 January 2012 as an opportunity for ordinary people to express their thirst for peace.","date":"2012-01-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43686","proposer":"10133","edm":"2590","session":"2010-12","title":"Weapons Of Mass Destruction Free Zone In The Middle East","text":"That this House welcomes the Government's support for the establishment of a weapons of mass destruction free zone in the Middle East since the 2010 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference; further welcomes progress in appointing a host country and facilitator in Finland and Jaakko Laajva; notes that with growing tension the establishment of the zone is vital to the long-term peace and security of the region; believes it vital that no state in the region develops, produces, acquires or permits the stationing on their territories, or territories under their control, of nuclear weapons; and urges the Government to do all it can to ensure that a conference involving all states in the region takes place in 2012.","date":"2012-01-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43654","proposer":"10133","edm":"2559","session":"2010-12","title":"Human Rights In Kazakhstan","text":"That this House is deeply concerned at reports of the killing of oil workers in Kazakhstan who have been protesting about their living conditions and the poverty of their region; condemns the actions of the government of Kazakhstan in using troops, mass arrests and isolation tactics; calls on that government to adhere to international human rights conventions and International Labour Organisation statutes; and calls on the Government to make robust protest toits Kazakh counterparts to prevent further loss of life.","date":"2011-12-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43622","proposer":"10327","edm":"2527","session":"2010-12","title":"Killing Of Mustafa Tamimi By Israeli Soldiers","text":"That this House expresses its revulsion at the deliberate killing by Israeli soldiers of Mustafa Tamimi, aged 28 years, while the Palestinian was taking part in a peaceful demonstration at Nabi Saleh on Friday 9 December 2011; notes that an Israeli soldier specifically and deliberately aimed a gas canister at Mustafa Tamimi's head, which hit him point-blank inflicting horrific injuries; further notes that these Israeli soldiers blocked access to an ambulance, pushed around Mustafa Tamimi's sister, who was deeply distressed by her brother's appalling injuries, and laughed and gloated at her; and calls for international action, rather than mild remonstrances, to prevent further Israeli murder of innocent Palestinians.","date":"2011-12-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43630","proposer":"10428","edm":"2535","session":"2010-12","title":"Turkey And Cyprus","text":"That this House expresses its continued concern about the illegal occupation and governance of the northern part of the island of Cyprus by Turkey following its invasion in 1974; notes that despite international efforts Turkey refuses to withdraw its military forces, or allow Greek Cypriot citizens to return to their homes and properties, whilst encouraging wrongful settlement in the area by immigrants whom they allow to exploit land and properties expropriated from their rightful owners without any regard for national Cypriot cultural heritage; and calls on the Government as a guarantor power, to insist of Turkey that it adopts a more constructive attitudein negotiations aimed at establishing a viable, fair and lasting solution tothe problem,and that asa gesture of goodwill it should agree to allow refugees from the ghost town ofFamagusta and surrounding areas to returnto their homes as outlined in United Nations Security Council Resolutions 550 (1984)and 789 (1992).","date":"2011-12-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43550","proposer":"11427","edm":"2458","session":"2010-12","title":"British Film Festival In Kurdistan Region","text":"That this House warmly welcomes the inaugural British Film Festival in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region, in Iraq in spite of the absence of a cinema, which is being organised by the British Consulate-General, Bankside Films and the Kurdistan regional government; believes that this does much to help mark the growing cultural, political and commercial relationships between the Kurdistan region and the UK; notes that the National Film and Television School is organising workshops for young Kurdish filmmakers wanting to tell their stories which will inspire local creativity, help to develop the nascent local filmmaking community and encourage films about the blossoming of the Kurdistan region after decades of dictatorship, genocide and isolation; and hopes that there will be many more such cultural exchanges and initiatives.","date":"2011-11-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43545","proposer":"24784","edm":"2436A1","session":"2010-12","title":"Status Of Jerusalem","text":"leave out from `House' to end and add `notes that Christians, Muslims and Jews are all free to worship according to their own beliefs in Jerusalem; further notes that Israel handed over control of all Muslim holy sites to the Islamic Waqf in 1967; draws attention to the fact that prior to 1967 Jews were not free to worship at the Western Wall in Jerusalem; supports the Israeli government's security decisions and steps to ensure that all faiths can gain access to holy sites, including by building special gates in the Security Barrier; and further notes the offer by the Israeli government to give Palestinians living in Jerusalem the choice of whether to become full Israeli citizens or whether to remain Israeli residents with Palestinian Authority citizenship.'.","date":"2011-11-21","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43528","proposer":"10133","edm":"2436","session":"2010-12","title":"Status Of Jerusalem","text":"That this House believes that Jerusalem is a shared city, sacred to Jews, Muslims and Christians; notes with alarm the systematic attempts to reduce the Palestinian population of East Jerusalem and the Jerusalem periphery through evictions of Palestinian families, demolition of Palestinian homes, expansion of Israeli settlements, removal of residency rights from many Palestinian residents of Jerusalem and refusal of access to Jerusalem and its holy sites to most Muslim and Christian Palestinians from the West Bank, resulting in the gradual destruction of Palestinian life and culture; supports the Government's position of not recognising Israel's unilateral annexation of East Jerusalem, of regarding Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem as contrary to international law and of refusing to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel until it becomes the shared capital of both nations; and calls on the Government to take steps to ensure that the Israeli authorities respect the rights of Palestinians as well as Israeli citizens and the freedom of worship of all faiths in Jerusalem.","date":"2011-11-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43512","proposer":"11817","edm":"2422","session":"2010-12","title":"Fifth Anniversary Of Al Jazeera English","text":"That this House congratulates the award-winning Al Jazeera English on its fifth anniversary on 15 November 2011; recognises Al Jazeera's important role in developing freedom of speech throughout the Middle East and beyond; and wishes Al Jazeera every success in continuing to provide a voice to the voiceless, and putting grassroots journalism at the centre of the news agenda.","date":"2011-11-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43500","proposer":"10383","edm":"2410","session":"2010-12","title":"British Journalist Held By Israel","text":"That this House expresses its extreme concern at the illegal detention by Israel since 4 November 2011 of Hassan Ghani, a British journalist, who was on board the Tahrir which, along with the Soairse, was delivering aid to Gaza; and calls on the UK Government to seek the immediate release of Hassan Ghani by Israel.","date":"2011-11-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43504","proposer":"10128","edm":"2414","session":"2010-12","title":"Ragip Zarakolu And Human Rights In Turkey","text":"That this House calls on the Turkish government to release Ragip Zarakolu immediately from detention as well as the many other scholars, academics, researchers, writers, journalists and human rights activists who are imprisoned in Turkey for expressing their thoughts; and believes that these detentions undermine the Turkish state's claims of democratic progress and respect for human rights.","date":"2011-11-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43490","proposer":"11323","edm":"2400","session":"2010-12","title":"Recent Arrests In Turkey","text":"That this House deplores the recent arrest by the Turkish authorities of the respected professor and Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Assembly member Bsra Ersanli and the veteran publisher and writer Ragip Zarakolu; believes that the arrest of two such distinguished figures in Turkish public life has rightly provoked outrage inside the country; notes that there are growing calls inside Turkey for an end to the policy of confrontation and of sweeping criminalisation of Kurdish organisations and for a move to reconciliation and conflict resolution through negotiation; and urges the Government to lend its support to those calls and for it to make clear to the Turkish government its disapproval of those arrests.","date":"2011-11-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43441","proposer":"11817","edm":"2353","session":"2010-12","title":"Gadaffi Loyalists","text":"That this House notes that some 30 Gadaffi regime loyalists, including Gadaffi family members, are reportedly under house arrest in Niger; sends its respectful wishes to His Excellency Mahamadou Issoufou, President of Niger; asks him to co-operate with the International Criminal Court in the Hague and authorities in Libya to ensure the immediate extradition of Gadaffi loyalists wanted for crimes against humanity currently seeking sanctuary in his country; and believes that this a golden opportunity for Niger to show the world her aspiration for peace, stability and democracy to prevail in Africa.","date":"2011-11-01","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43445","proposer":"10467","edm":"2357","session":"2010-12","title":"Palestinian Membership Of Unesco","text":"That this House welcomes the admission of Palestine to full membership of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.","date":"2011-11-01","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43402","proposer":"11817","edm":"2314","session":"2010-12","title":"Condolences To The People Of Saudi Arabia On The Death Of Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud","text":"That this House sends the King and people of Saudi Arabia sincere condolences for the loss of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.","date":"2011-10-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43388","proposer":"11817","edm":"2300","session":"2010-12","title":"Inquiry Into Mr Tony Blair And Colonel Gaddafi","text":"That this House urges the Government to initiate a full independent inquiry into Mr Tony Blair's financial engagement with the late Colonel Gaddafi.","date":"2011-10-21","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43374","proposer":"11221","edm":"2289","session":"2010-12","title":"Visit By The Turkish Prime Minister To Cyprus","text":"That this House notes with deep concern that the Turkish Prime Minister, Mr Tayip Erdogan, on his recent visit to Northern Cyprus, occupied by the Turkish army following the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island of Cyprus, stated that the town of Morphou would not be returned to the Republic of Cyprus in any settlement that is made to this long-running tragedy in a country which is a member of the Commonwealth, the EU and the United Nations;believes that this provocative statement by the Prime Minister of Turkey, a country now seeking membership of the EU, very clearly puts in question the real commitment of Turkey to a meaningful involvement in the discussion under the United Nations which is now taking place on Cyprus; and therefore calls on the Government and the leaders of the EU to deplore this very unhelpful and provocative statement and to make their concern very clearly known to the government of Turkey.","date":"2011-10-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43376","proposer":"24784","edm":"2225A1","session":"2010-12","title":"Israel's Treatment Of Palestinian Prisoners","text":"leave out from `House' to end and insert `notes that there are 7,000 Palestinian detainees under the supervision of the Israel Prison Service (IPS); further notes that whilst allegations of torture in Israeli prisons have been made in the past, the International Red Cross has never condemned Israel for torturous treatment; further notes that Israel has invested significantly into its prison service, last year alone investing 30 million New Israeli Shekels for renovating prisons; further notes that Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons have equal access to education to Israeli inmates and that hundreds of Palestinian detainees acquire higher education through Open University, while others complete their matriculation certificates, more than 10,000 of which have been achieved since 2000 by detainees in the occupation prisons, and that last summer 3,300 prisoners took the formal Palestinian Authority exams; and further notes that a medical clinic is staffed with a physician and a medic at every detention facility, medical examination is conducted daily and the IPS operate a specialist detention facility for prisoners with physical and mental problems, where prisoners with chronic illnesses are cared for.'.","date":"2011-10-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43378","proposer":"24784","edm":"2274A1","session":"2010-12","title":"Prisoner Exchange And Palestinian Child Prisoners","text":"leave out from `months;' to end and add `notes that while the detention of youths is to be regretted, Israel is in the difficult position of having little choice but to detain Palestinian children due to their suspected participation in terrorist acts; condemns terrorists' organisations which target Palestinian youths and which recruit them with the promise of becoming martyrs (shaheed), if they die while committing a suicide attack; further notes that 110 minors were arrested in the first half of 2008 for suspected terrorist activities compared to only 85 in 2007 and that between September 2000 and April 2007 217 minors were arrested due to involvement in suicide bomb attacks; and further notes that the recruitment of youths for terrorist purposes is in grave breach of the international laws of armed conflict, as stated in the Geneva Convention of 1949 and the two additional protocols of 1977.'.","date":"2011-10-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43350","proposer":"11323","edm":"2267","session":"2010-12","title":"Turkish -\u0000 Kurdish Peace Negotiations","text":"That this House is deeply concerned at the worsening of relations between Turkey and the Kurds since the election in June; warns against the consequences of the renewed wave of arrests of leading Kurdish politicians, civil society activists and professionals; calls on Turkey to halt immediately its cross-border military operations and bombing of Kurdish camps inside Iraq; believes that this policy of seeking a solution to the Kurdish question by military means and increased repression will prove futile and can only provoke future unrest and conflict; and urges the Government to exert its influence on Turkish leaders to change course and take steps towards a negotiated settlement with the legitimate representatives of the Kurdish people.","date":"2011-10-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43353","proposer":"10231","edm":"2270","session":"2010-12","title":"Syria","text":"That this House notes with the gravest concern the growing escalation of the crisis in Syria and the ruthless repression of anti-government protesters; further notes that the reported death toll in the demonstrations that began in March 2011 against President Bashar al-Assad now exceeds 3000, including at least 187 children; welcomes the recent statement made by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, who has called for international action to protect Syrian civilians and the intensification of diplomatic pressure on the Assad regime after the Arab League set a 15-day deadline for the Syrian government to open dialogue with the opposition in Cairo; shares the High Commissioner's concerns and those of the British-Syria All-Party Parliamentary Group who believe that the scale of the repression and daily killings are totally unacceptable and deserve international condemnation; further notes that Syria's recent incursion across the Lebanese border can only further destabilise the region; and calls on the Government to continue its efforts to bring about an end to the violence and a transition to democracy.","date":"2011-10-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43357","proposer":"10076","edm":"2274","session":"2010-12","title":"Prisoner Exchange And Palestinian Child Prisoners","text":"That this House welcomes the prisoner exchange which has led to the release of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and 477 Palestinian prisoners with a further 550 to be released in the next two months; notes, however, that the list of prisoners released in the first stage on 18 October 2011 does not include any children; further notes that according to figures released by the Israeli Prison Service and Defence of Children International-Palestine, at the end of September 2011 there were 164 Palestinian children (12 to 17 years) detained by Israel, including 35 between the ages of 12and 15 years; and that Israel's treatment of Palestinian child prisoners has raised serious concerns under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; and therefore calls on the Government and the international community to support the appeal by UNICEF for the Israeli government to release all Palestinian child detainees so that they can be reunited with their families.","date":"2011-10-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43334","proposer":"10133","edm":"2252","session":"2010-12","title":"Bahrain Human Rights","text":"That this House notes the very precarious political climate currently existing in Bahrain due to ongoing human rights violations and the disturbing elements stirring up sectarian violence with the potential for spreading beyond Bahrain and to her neighbours; calls on the Government to make representations to the government of Bahrain to release the medical professionals who have been sentenced to up to 15 years without any solid evidence or access to a legal team, to investigate the death of a young boy who was killed by shotgun as well as raising the issue of the imprisoned opposition leaders, many of whom were tortured and have no access to medication including a Mr Hasan Mushaima, who is suffering from cancer requiring immediate attention, and to restore rights to the large number of workers who have lost their jobs due to peaceful protests calling for reform.","date":"2011-10-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43323","proposer":"24784","edm":"2195A1","session":"2010-12","title":"Bedouins And The Government Of Israel","text":"leave out from `House' to end and add `notes that Israel is one of the most open societies in the world and that out of a population of seven million, about 1.3 million, 20 per cent. of the population, are non-Jews (including approximately 1.1 million Muslims); further notes that Arabs in Israel have equal voting rights and it is one of the few countries in the Middle East where Arab women may vote; welcomes the fact that Arabs currently hold eight seats in the 120-seat Knesset and that Israeli Arabs have also held various high profile government posts, including Foreign Minister, ambassador to Finland and the current deputy mayor of Tel Aviv; further notes that Arabic, like Hebrew, is an official language in Israel, with more than 300,000 Arab children attending Israeli schools; and further notes that many Bedouins have served in Israeli army units and other Arabs have volunteered for military duty'.","date":"2011-10-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43304","proposer":"10128","edm":"2225","session":"2010-12","title":"Israel's Treatment Of Palestinian Prisoners","text":"That this House condemns the imprisonment of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit by Hamas, but is appalled by the cruel and inhumane treatment suffered by the 7,000 Palestinians incarcerated in Israeli prisons, involving denial of medicines and basic healthcare, denial of education and reading materials, refusal of family visits, excessive fines, repeated night searches of cells and the long-term isolation of elected members of the Palestinian legislative council; believes that Israel's practice of holding Palestinians for unspecified periods of time without charge, including children, journalists and 21 Palestinian MPs is unacceptable; further believes that all this amounts to the collective punishment of Palestinian prisoners for the imprisonment of soldier Shalit; and calls on the Government to increase pressure on Israel to end its immoral and uncivilised treatment of prisoners.","date":"2011-10-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43273","proposer":"10521","edm":"2195","session":"2010-12","title":"Bedouins And The Government Of Israel","text":"That this House is appalled at proposals by the Israeli government to re-settle Bedouin people living in so-called unrecognised villages in the Negev Desert into larger recognised settlements; notes that this will affect tens of thousands of Bedouin, and is a policy more in keeping with historic American Indian reservations and South Africa in the apartheid era than what should happen in the 21st century; condemns the Israeli government for what is tantamount to ethnic cleansing and the destruction of the Bedouin way of life; and calls on the Government to seek the urgent support of other European Union countries for a concerted approach, also involving the United Nations, to stop Israel proceeding with its attack on Bedouin people under its control.","date":"2011-09-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43280","proposer":"24784","edm":"2173A1","session":"2010-12","title":"Human Rights In Iraqi Kurdistan","text":"leave out from `House' to end and add `notes reports of incidents in which journalists have been intimidated and some murdered and urges the authorities in Kurdistan to expedite prosecutions against perpetrators; further notes the recent fifth report of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Kurdistan region which finds that the Region's free media and transparency are underdeveloped, few journalists are trained and fair reporting is not culturally or legally ingrained; supports its belief that the best can shame the worst but needs a helping hand such as that offered by independent organisations such as the Kurdistan Media Centre and the IWPR; agrees that insufficient government transparency is part of a legacy of secrecy which was sustained through living under and resistance to dictatorship, the absence of reliable information and mistrust of journalists by government officials who have been misquoted or feel they have been defamed and have become reluctant to deal with the media; recognises that a culture of freedom of information needs to be developed alongside a professional and responsible media; and wishes well to the current all-party talks which seek to further various reforms on issues which inspired demonstrations in Kurdistan which sadly resulted in the deaths of 10 demonstrators and police officers as well as hundreds of injuries, which should also mean policing reforms to better deal with violent demonstrations and uphold peaceable assembly and free expression.'.","date":"2011-09-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43251","proposer":"10383","edm":"2173","session":"2010-12","title":"Human Rights In Iraqi Kurdistan","text":"That this House is concerned at the violations of press freedom in Iraqi Kurdistan, particularly the case of Sardasht Osman, the university student and journalist, who after criticising the Kurdish government was kidnapped and murdered on 5 May 2009; notes with regret that the major demonstrations held in February to April 2011 protesting at the lack of freedom and social justice were suppressed aggressively by the Kurdistan regional government, with 10 people killed and many others injured; and calls on the UK Government to urge the Kurdistan regional government to establish an independent commission of inquiry into the murder of Sardasht Osman and to respect the right of its citizens to freedom of expression and political activity.","date":"2011-09-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43230","proposer":"10076","edm":"2154","session":"2010-12","title":"Life And Work Of Samira Hassassian","text":"That this House pays tribute to the life of Samira Hassassian who has died of cancer aged 57,for her work to uphold the rights of the Palestinian people, not only as a poet and wife of the Palestinian Ambassador to the UK but also through her support for charities, including the El-Shashat charity devoted to promoting Palestinian films, as a patron of Medical Aid for Palestinians and through her promotion of trade, by encouraging Palestinian craftspeople to come to the UK to exhibit their products; and wishes that she may rest in peace in the shade of the olive groves back in her Palestinian birthplace of Beit Jala near Bethlehem.","date":"2011-09-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43232","proposer":"24784","edm":"2135A1","session":"2010-12","title":"Palestinian Membership Of The United Nations","text":"leave out from `House' to end and add `believes that a clear distinction must be drawn between moderate Palestinians such as those in the West Bank who are seeking a peaceful two state solution and terrorist groups in Gaza such as Hamas; notes that Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas in the Gaza strip, recently said to reporters, of Osama Bin Laden, that `We condemn the assassination and the killing of an Arab holy warrior'; strongly welcomes the recent confirmation by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that the Government will not change its position on Hamas and that the Quartet Principles will `remain the benchmark to which Hamas should move towards - that is, a rejection of violence, a recognition of the state of Israel and an acceptance of previous agreements'; and therefore believes that only those areas of Palestine which accept the Quartet Principle, and renounce terrorism, should be considered for statehood.'.","date":"2011-09-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43233","proposer":"24784","edm":"2139A1","session":"2010-12","title":"Un Report On Gaza Flotilla Attack","text":"leave out from `House' to end and add `notes that the United Nations report of 1 September by Sir Geoffrey Palmer into the flotilla incident of May 2010 confirms that Israel's naval blockade of Gaza is legal and affirms Israel's right to take reasonable steps to prevent the illegal trafficking of weapons into Gaza; further notes the report's conclusion that the ship on which the incident took place barely contained any humanitarian goods beyond the personal possessions of passengers; further notes the report's view that some of the passengers prepared well in advance for the violent resistance of any boarding attempt; further notes that Israel made repeated attempts to avoid confrontation, both through communication with the Turkish government and with the ship; and calls on the Government to work with other nations to demand that Hamas and other groups abide by the Quartet Principles and renounce terrorism'.","date":"2011-09-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43214","proposer":"10521","edm":"2139","session":"2010-12","title":"Un Report On Gaza Flotilla Attack","text":"That this House registers its condemnation of Israel following the publication on 1 September of a United Nations report which declared that the death of nine people on a Turkish vessel, following an attack by Israeli forces on a flotilla carrying supplies to Gaza, to have been unlawful in that the killings were not in self-defence but were an act of extreme brutality by heavily armed troops; and calls on the Government to work with other nations to demand that Israel ceases its acts of aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza, East Jerusalem and the occupied territories on the West Bank.","date":"2011-09-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43218","proposer":"24784","edm":"2143","session":"2010-12","title":"Enquiry Into Government Relations With Libya 2001 To 2010","text":"That this House notes with serious concern reports about the last administration's relations with Colonel Gaddafi's regime, which became too close, especially in the area of the security services, major business agreements, and our universities; further notes in particular that relations became too close with Saif Gaddafi; further notes that members of the security services allegedly passed on details of Libyan dissidents to Colonel Gaddafi, and despite assurances from the former Foreign Secretary, that Britain appears to have been involved in extraordinary rendition; further notes that the Labour Government supported the release of the convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi on the promise of oil deals; finally notes that many UK academic institutions took millions of pounds in donations and contracts from Gaddafi's regime; and therefore calls for much stricter conditions on the kind of regimes that the UK is prepared to deal with in the future, and for an enquiry into the last administration's relations with Libya from 2001 to 2010.","date":"2011-09-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43209","proposer":"10120","edm":"2135","session":"2010-12","title":"Palestinian Membership Of The United Nations","text":"That this House recalls the target set by President Obama last year of welcoming `a new member of the United Nations - an independent sovereign state of Palestine' by September 2011, a target also endorsed by the EU and the Quartet; notes that the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, United Nations and EU have all reported that Palestine is ready for statehood; recalls that Palestinian negotiators entered talks with Israel and offered substantial concessions; regrets that talks broke down because of Prime Minister Netanyahu's refusal to extend even a partial freeze on illegal settlement-building; further notes that Palestinians have recognised Israel since 1993 despite Israel's refusal to recognise a Palestinian state; further notes that 122 countries with nearly 90 per cent. of the world's population now recognised Palestine and even among Israelis 48 per cent. support recognition and only 41 per cent. oppose; and concludes that the way forward is to recognise an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel and support its admission to the UN because this will be the most effective guarantor of a resumption of negotiations and will also be the best protector of the rights not only of Palestinians in the Occupied Territories, but also of Palestinians living in Israel and of Palestinian refugees abroad.","date":"2011-09-05","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43154","proposer":"13864","edm":"2083","session":"2010-12","title":"Visit To Israel","text":"That this House would welcome a decision by Her Majesty the Queento visit the state of Israel, given Israel's long ties with the UK and in particular Prime Minister Balfour, who originally declared Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people.","date":"2011-07-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43156","proposer":"10614","edm":"2085","session":"2010-12","title":"Situation In Yemen","text":"That this House is gravely worried about the current situation in Yemen, a country where seven million people struggle to find enough to eat each day; notes that outbreaks of fighting in areas of South Yemen have resulted in the displacement of up to 40,000 people around Zinjibar and that 32,000 people have been displaced in North Yemem; further notes that the last meeting of the Friends of Yemen (FoY)was in 2010; is saddened that the US has had to suspend its aid operations in Yemen due to the current turmoil; welcomes the Department for International Development's announcement of a further 7.9 million in aid to the country; and urges the Government to call for a meeting of the FoY group as soon as possible.","date":"2011-07-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43136","proposer":"11323","edm":"2065","session":"2010-12","title":"Hatip Dicle And Fellow Members Of Parliament","text":"That this House notes the success of the 36 independent candidates of the Labour, Democracy and Freedom block supported by the Kurdish population in the Turkish general election on 12 June 2011; deplores the fact that Hatip Dicle, whose candidature was approved by the country's Supreme Election Board, the YSK, has been hastily revoked by the same body; expresses its solidarity with Dicle and his fellow MPs who are now boycotting the assembly in protest; calls on theGovernment to make representations to the Turkish government to avert the emerging political crisis and enable the duly elected MPs to take up their seats; and believes that the real solution to the current deadlock lies in the opening up of a dialogue for peace between the government in Ankara and the true representatives of the Kurdish people.","date":"2011-07-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43088","proposer":"10521","edm":"2017","session":"2010-12","title":"Archbishop Desmond Tutu And Freedom For Palestine Recording","text":"That this House commends Archbishop Desmond Tutu, winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace, for promoting the record Freedom for Palestine by OneWorld; acknowledges his powerful words comparing what life was like in apartheid South Africa to what he has personally witnessed in Palestinian territories occupied by Israel; congratulates the charity War on Want for publishing Archbishop Tutu's words of encouragement to the Palestinian people and his message to the world that a critical mass of people want to see an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the oppression of its people; urges hon. andRt hon. Members to buy the single Freedom for Palestine; and calls on the Government to join forces with governments around the world to put pressure on Israel to honour UN resolutions.","date":"2011-06-30","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43082","proposer":"10521","edm":"1983A1","session":"2010-12","title":"Fifth Anniversary Of Gilad Shalit's Kidnapping","text":"at end add `alongside making strong representations to the Israeli government to honour all United Nations resolutions relating to the continued occupation of Palestinian land.'.","date":"2011-06-29","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43052","proposer":"10013","edm":"1983","session":"2010-12","title":"Fifth Anniversary Of Gilad Shalit's Kidnapping","text":"That this House notes that 25 June 2011 is the fifth anniversary of the kidnap of Israeli serviceman Gilad Shalit by Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups in a cross-border terrorist attack inside Israel; is concerned that Gilad Shalit is being held incommunicado in the Gaza Strip and is neither permitted to send nor receive messages from his family; further notes that the International Committee of the Red Cross continues to be denied access to the kidnapped soldier; further notes that the soldier's continued detention is an obstacle to peace between Israelis and Palestinians; further notes that Gilad Shalit's detention is a serious violation of international humanitarian laws governing the treatment of prisoners of war, as enshrined by the Third Geneva Convention; condemns the kidnapping of Corporal Gilad Shalit; and calls on the Government to redouble its efforts to secure his immediate release.","date":"2011-06-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43054","proposer":"10521","edm":"1985","session":"2010-12","title":"Israeli Demolitions In The Jordan Valley","text":"That this House deplores action by Israel in strengtheningits policy of demolishing Palestinian homes in the Jordan Valley, the Eastern part of the occupied West Bank, with 103 homes bulldozed this year leaving more than 700 people homeless, adding to the thousands already dispossessed in this way; observes with condemnation that Israel is continuing to act in defiance of international law and UN resolutions; further condemns Israel for promoting policies against the Palestinian people which amount to ethnic cleansing and apartheid; and calls on the Government to work with the European Union and the UN to introduce sanctions against Israel for its disregard of human rights, international law and UN resolutions.","date":"2011-06-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"43018","proposer":"11707","edm":"1949","session":"2010-12","title":"Syrian Protests","text":"That this House notes with concern the ongoing pro-democracy protests in Syria; is particularly concerned at the brutal crackdown by Bashar al-Assad's regime on innocent Syrians; expresses its concern at the 1,100 deaths and countless arrests by Syrian security forces, including family and friends of the British-Syrian community; further notes the impending refugee crisis in Turkey and Lebanon; calls for the Government to lead an international effort in providing aid, financial or otherwise, for these refugees; calls onthe Assad regime to respect the human rights and legitimate demands of the Syrian people; and further calls on UN Security Council members to work together in urgently passing a substantive resolution condemning the Assad regime and supporting the Syrian people.","date":"2011-06-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42942","proposer":"24784","edm":"1875","session":"2010-12","title":"West Dunbartonshire Council And Israeli Authors And Businesses","text":"That this House condemns the unilateral decision of West Dunbartonshire Council to boycott Israeli authors and businesses; notes that Israel is one of the only democracies in the Middle East where Arab citizens have genuine freedom and the rule of law, with an independent Supreme Court; further notes that there has been no boycott of dictatorships like Syria where the regime has killed many of its own citizens in recent days; regrets that West Dunbartonshire Council has expressed no concern for the brutal crimes of China, Iran, Sudan, North Korea, Sri Lanka, or Zimbabwe, which have appalling records on human rights; and therefore urges the people of Dunbartonshire to lobby their councillors strenuously against this offensive decision, which has echoes of Nazi Germany burning books by Jewish authors in the 1930s.","date":"2011-06-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42903","proposer":"11963","edm":"1837","session":"2010-12","title":"Human Rights In Bahrain","text":"That this House strongly condemns the continuing repressive measures taken against those involved in pro-democracy protests by the regime of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Bahrain; notes with serious concern that around 30 demonstrators are reported to have been killed by Government forces, including at least three children, one of whom, Ahmed Shams, was shot in the head while playing outside his home; is deeply worried at reports of sexual abuse of schoolgirls in the country; is troubled at the death penalty awarded to four demonstrators for the murder of two policemen despite concerns raised by human rights organisations about the fairness of the trial; is further troubled at the continuing imprisonment, sacking from their jobs, and harassment of those suspected of involvement in pro-democracy protests; further condemns the bulldozing of ancient mosques and other places of worship and of cultural importance by the regime's forces; deplores the continuing presence of troops from Saudi Arabia in the country; and calls on the Government to put every diplomatic pressure possible ontheir Bahraini and Saudi counterparts, including an immediate suspension of the sale of arms to both countries, to end their repressive measures and move towards giving the people in Bahrain a greater say in their own affairs.","date":"2011-05-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42839","proposer":"24784","edm":"1769A1","session":"2010-12","title":"Agreement Between Fatah And Hamas","text":"leave out from `House' to end and add `notes that Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Hamas administration in the Gaza Strip, said to reporters, of Osama Bin Laden, that `We condemn the assassination and the killing of an Arab holy warrior'; welcomes the confirmation by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that the Government will not change its position on Hamas and that, as he said recently in Foreign Office Questions, the Quartet Principles will `remain the benchmark to which Hamas should move towards - that is, a rejection of violence, a recognition of the state of Israel and an acceptance of previous agreements'; and therefore believes that peace in the Middle East must be sought through negotiation with moderate Palestinians such as those in the West Bank, who are seeking a peaceful two state solution, and who do not idealise mass-murderers such as Osama Bin Laden'.","date":"2011-05-04","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42833","proposer":"24910","edm":"1773","session":"2010-12","title":"Israel And The Agreement On Conformity Assessment And Acceptance Of Industrial Products","text":"That this House notes that the Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAA) as it relates to Israel has been put on the agenda for the next standing committee on International Trade (INTA) meeting on 23 May 2011; further notes that INTA decided unanimously to freeze the consent procedure of the EU-Israel agreement on the ACAA of Industrial Products for the free movement of goods and technical regulations following the illegal Israeli military attack against the humanitarian aid flotilla in international waters; and remains steadfastly against the unfreezing of the ACAA protocol on the basis that any possible consideration of the upgrading of trade relations between the EU and Israel must go hand in hand with lifting the blockade on Gaza, full respect of international humanitarian and human rights obligations and genuine commitments towards a comprehensive political settlement of the conflict.","date":"2011-05-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42829","proposer":"10133","edm":"1769","session":"2010-12","title":"Agreement Between Fatah And Hamas","text":"That this House applauds the progress being made by Fatah and Hamas via their preliminary agreement to form an interim government which provides an opportunity for recommencement of Middle East peace talks.","date":"2011-04-28","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42814","proposer":"10133","edm":"1757","session":"2010-12","title":"Mordechai Vanunu (No. 2)","text":"That this House notes that 21 April 2011 marked seven years since Mordechai Vanunu was released from Ashkelon prison having served his full sentence of 18 years for revealing the truth about Israel's nuclear weapons programme; further notes that he faces no further charges and yet since his release he has continued to be subject to severe restrictions on his human rights on freedom of movement, speech and association; requests that the Government condemns these ongoing restrictions; and calls on the Israeli government to recognise Vanunu's full human rights by allowing him to leave Israel forthwith, as he has so often declared to be his wish.","date":"2011-04-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42815","proposer":"24784","edm":"1758","session":"2010-12","title":"Civilian Deaths In Syria","text":"That this House deeply regrets the recent deaths of 400 Syrian people, the vast majority of whom were civilians killed by their government; notes that, according to one eye-witness, snipers working for the Syrian regime have killed at least six more protestors in Daraa in recent days, including a six-year-old girl; further notes that live fire and tear gas has been used indiscriminately by state soldiers against men, women, children and pensioners; further notes that at least 12 civilians were murdered by the Syrian government while attending a funeral in recent weeks; concludes that President Assad is not committed to reform, irrespective of public announcements that he has made; condemns President Assad for using Syrian state forces to murder and torture his own people; supports United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's statement that the first priority of Syria should be protecting civilian lives; and calls strongly on the UK Government to work with NATO and the United Nations to impose much greater economic sanctions on Syria, including an asset freeze, and to draw up urgent plans for a military intervention if the violence continues.","date":"2011-04-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42695","proposer":"10143","edm":"1644","session":"2010-12","title":"Assetco And The United Arab Emirates","text":"That this House notes that AssetCo has secured a 120 million contract to provide a firefighting service to the armed forces of the United Arab Emirates (UAE); further notes that UAE forces have been involved in crushing the pro-democracy uprising in Bahrain; further notes that AssetCo owns and maintains all of the London Fire Authority's appliances; condemns AssetCo's dealings with such an autocratic and tyrannical government; and calls on the Chairman of the Fire Authority, Brian Coleman and the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurstto distance themselves publicly from AssetCo's actions.","date":"2011-03-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42693","proposer":"13864","edm":"1642","session":"2010-12","title":"Support For The Armed Forces","text":"That this House expresses its support for the armed forces as they enforce the no-fly zone over Libya; understands that this latest commitment will stretch the armed forces even further; and consequently calls on the Prime Minister to initiate a further assessment of the Strategic Defence and Security Review to ensure that the armed forces have enough funding and personnel to be able to meet all the UK's international obligations to the high standard expected of them.","date":"2011-03-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42623","proposer":"10614","edm":"1576","session":"2010-12","title":"Yemeni Students At De Montfort University","text":"That this House commends and welcomes the arrival of three Yemeni students from the University of Sana'a to study at De Montfort University, Leicester; recognises the hard work and co-operation between the two institutes in instigating a scholarship to facilitate this, in particular the Vice-Chancellor ofDe Montfort University Dominic Shellard; further recognises the benefits of promoting an educational and cultural exchange between the two countries; and urges the Government to join him in congratulating De Montfort University, the University of Sana'a and the three successful students.","date":"2011-03-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42628","proposer":"24784","edm":"1581","session":"2010-12","title":"Exeter University And Funding From The Middle East","text":"That this House notes that senior staff of Exeter University met Colonel Gaddafi in 2003 in a bid to set up a 75 million deal which would see British universities educate elite Libyan officials; further notes that there was an announcement of a deal to set up an Exeter Centre for English in the Libyan capital of Tripoli; further notes that this deal involved confirming Exeter University's role as the lead academic adviser to Libya's National Programme for Postgraduate Development; accepts that these plans were ultimately never pursued, but notes that the European Muslim Research Centre at the University of Exeter was launched after funding provided by IslamExpo and the Cordoba Foundation (founded by Anas Al-Tikriti, a leader in the British Muslim Initiative and a former leader of the Muslim Association of Britain, both organisations being part of the UK Muslim Brotherhood); recognises that IslamExpo is an event that is strongly associated with the global Muslim Brotherhood and has been supported by organisations such as the British Muslim Initiative, the Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe andthe Muslim Council of Britain; and calls on the Government to establish an independent inquiry to trace the huge amounts of money from Middle Eastern dictatorships that has flowed into British universities andto introduce a mechanism whereby for every 1 that a British university receives in donations from a totalitarian or despotic regime, such as Libya, 1 should be withdrawn from that university in public sudsidy.","date":"2011-03-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42608","proposer":"24784","edm":"1562","session":"2010-12","title":"Public Funding Of Universities","text":"That this House believes that there should be a real financial incentive for British universities not to accept donations from foreign dictatorships, especially regimes in the Middle East with a poor record on human rights; and therefore calls on the Government to introduce a mechanism whereby for every 1 that a university receives in donations from a totalitarian or despotic regime, such a Libya,1 shall be withdrawn from that university in publicsubsidy.","date":"2011-03-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42611","proposer":"10133","edm":"1565","session":"2010-12","title":"Libya, North Africa And The Middle East","text":"That this House does not believe that Western intervention in Libya or elsewhere will bring about the peace, justice and democracy that is being sought by millions of people in North Africa and the Middle East; and calls for a rethinking of British and European foreign policy and a more concerted effort to apply international law and its human rights clauses in any negotiations or actions relating to the historical process that is now taking place.","date":"2011-03-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42587","proposer":"24784","edm":"1554","session":"2010-12","title":"Libya And The Lse Council","text":"That this House notes the honourable resignation of Sir Howard Davies from the LSE Council, given the university's links with the Gaddafi regime; concludes, however, that while Sir Howard Davies shouldered the responsibility, the LSE Council and its senior academic staff are also at fault; concludes that the close financial ties between Libya and the LSE did not result from an isolated mistake by Sir Howard Davies but rather from a deliberate and sustained effort by many senior employees of the LSE, including many on its Council; and therefore calls on all those involved to do the decent thing and resign.","date":"2011-03-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42590","proposer":"10614","edm":"1539","session":"2010-12","title":"Aid To Yemen","text":"That this House welcomes the announcement by the Secretary of State for International Development, that the Government will increase aid to Yemen from 46.7 million to 76 million a year until 2015; notes that Yemen is the poorest nation in the Middle East; further notes that the Yemeni government is combating the growth of al-Qaeda within the country at a time of mass unrest in the Arab world; calls on the Government to continue to develop bilateral relations with Yemen to strengthen its fragile state; and urges the Government to work with the Yemeni government to develop an action plan for improving the economic situation in Yemen and combating terrorism.","date":"2011-03-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42595","proposer":"24784","edm":"1544","session":"2010-12","title":"Independent Inquiry Into The Last Government's Policy Towards Libya","text":"That this House notes that several British universities have extensive financial links with Gaddafi's regime in Lybia, including the London School of Economics; regrets that the last Government had a deliberate policy of encouraging these links; welcomes the statements by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary condemning the Lybian dictatorship for its terrible record of human rights abuse and state-sponsored terrorism, including the Lockerbie bombing; therefore calls on the present Government to hold an independent inquiry into how the last Government facilitated links between British universities and Libya, where all documents, emails, minutes of meetings and any official relevant information whatsoever can be published, so that the British people can finally know what the last Government did in their name.","date":"2011-03-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42554","proposer":"24784","edm":"1515","session":"2010-12","title":"Middle Eastern Funding For UK Universities","text":"That this House expresses grave concerns about the extent of funding from Middle Eastern dictatorships for UK universities, including the donations to the London School of Economics (LSE) by the Libyan regime; notes that an estimated 75 million was given to the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies by 12 Middle Eastern rulers, including King Fahd of Saudi Arabia; further notes that 8 million was given to the University of Cambridge by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal of Saudi Arabia, to finance a new research centre for Islamic studies in 2008, and that he gave a further 8 million to Edinburgh University for the same purpose; further notes that 9 million was given to the Centre for Middle Eastern Studies at the LSE by the United Arab Emirates Foundation, and that 5.7 million was given to the LSE by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences, to establish the Kuwait Programme on Development, Governance and Globalisation in the Gulf States in 2007; and therefore calls on the Government to establish much stricter guidelines around donations to UK universities, and to put a stop immediately to donations from oppressive Middle Eastern dictatorships with a terrible record on human rights.","date":"2011-03-01","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42520","proposer":"10063","edm":"1481","session":"2010-12","title":"Kurdish Language","text":"That this House notes that the Kurdish community currently forms a significant part of the population of Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey; applauds the fact that since the adoption of a new constitution in 2005 Kurdish has been recognised alongside Arabic as an official language in Iraq; and calls on the governments of Iran, Syria and Turkey to recognise Kurdish as an official language and to permit its teaching in schools as a step towards improving the integration of Kurdish communities in society.","date":"2011-02-28","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42525","proposer":"24784","edm":"1486","session":"2010-12","title":"Government Of Libya Funding For The North African Research Programme At The London School Of Economics","text":"That this House condemns the 1.5 million accepted by the London School of Economics (LSE) from the government of Libya in 2009 to fund a North African Research Programme; believes that although the money came from the International Charity and Development Foundation chaired by Colonel Gadaffi's son, Seif Al-Islam, this does not make it any cleaner; calls on the LSE to donate the money to suitable charities to assist victims of the Gadaffi regime; notes that universities from across the UK have accepted hundreds of millions of pounds from Middle Eastern dictatorships in recent years; and therefore calls on the Government to strengthen its scrutiny of our higher education institutions, and in particular the London School of Economics.","date":"2011-02-28","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42368","proposer":"24784","edm":"1349","session":"2010-12","title":"Treatment Of Prisoners By The Palestinian Authority","text":"That this House expresses grave alarm over recent reports of the torture of prisoners under the custody of the Palestinian Authority; notes that the Arab Organization for Human Rights reported that from 2008 to 2009 six detainees were tortured to death; recognises that citizens of the Palestinian Authority are often subject to indiscriminate arrest and torture with no access to legal counsel; urges the Government to seek from the Palestinian authorities guarantees that the basic human rights of detainees shall be respected; and joins in the condemnation of the use of torture which is contrary to international law.","date":"2011-01-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42325","proposer":"10614","edm":"1306","session":"2010-12","title":"Support For Yemen","text":"That this House recognises that a stable and prosperous Yemen will help ensure a stable Middle East and that there is a continued need to combat terrorism through preventative measures both at home and abroad; congratulates this and the previous Government on the 105 million worth of development aid pledged between 2008 and 2011; welcomes the Prime Minister's recent message to the hon. Member for Leicester East recognising the importance of pooling expertise and considering parliamentary and business avenues for providing further support; supports the sending of airport security equipment to Sana'a Airport by March 2011; and calls on the Government to promote partnership working through setting up a British-Yemeni taskforce.","date":"2011-01-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42257","proposer":"24784","edm":"1195A1","session":"2010-12","title":"Detention Of Palestinian Children In Israel","text":"leave out from `House' to end and add `notes that context is crucial when assessing the Middle East; further notes that 217 Palestinian children were arrested between 2000 and 2009 for involvement in suicide bombings and that the international Red Cross has never censured Israel for any torturous behaviour in its prisons; and condemns the use of children, by any terrorist organisation, in shootings, stone throwing and suicide attacks.'","date":"2011-01-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42207","proposer":"24963","edm":"1195","session":"2010-12","title":"Detention Of Palestinian Children In Israel","text":"That this House notes with grave concern that every year Israel prosecutes an average of 700 Palestinian children from the occupied West Bank in military courts; further notes that children as young as 12 are brought to these courts in shackles and cuffs and denied a fair trial, that most of these children are charged on the basis of confessions under interrogation, that 32 per cent. of all confessions are written in Hebrew,a language they do not understand; further notes that frequently they only meet their lawyers for the first time in court, that there are widespread and persistent allegations of torture and abuse against Palestinian children; further notes that Israel, whilst considering children to be anyone under the age of 18 in its own system, treats Palestinians as adults from the age of 16 in contravention of the International Convention of the Rights of the Child; furthernotes that whilst Israeli settler children in the same area have to see a judge within 24 hours, Palestinians may not see a judge for eight days; believes that this represents a dual legal system based on race and a grave and serious breach of international law; further notes that according to the Israeli human rights group, B'tselem, in Jerusalem, Palestinian children under 12 have been arrested including a five-year old; and calls on the Government to demand immediate action from the Israeli government to bring its behaviour in line with international law.","date":"2010-12-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42151","proposer":"10009","edm":"1143","session":"2010-12","title":"Humanitarian Situation In Camp Ashraf","text":"That this House expresses concern at the oppression of 3,400 members of the People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI) including 1,000 women residing in Camp Ashraf in Iraq as protected persons under the 4th Geneva Convention; notes the inhumane siege of Ashraf residents, in particular serious medical restrictions and their psychological torture with 140 loudspeakers; further notes that this oppression takes place partly using the excuse that the PMOI's name is included on the US terrorist list; further notes that the UK Court of Appeal, after reviewing the closed material, ruled that the PMOI was not involved in terrorism leading to the group's de-proscription in the UK unanimously by both Houses of Parliament in 2008 and in the EU in 2009 and that in July 2010 the US Court of Appeals in Washington ruled in favour of the PMOI and urged the US Secretary of State to re-evaluate the decision to maintain the PMOI on the list; further notes that on 25 November 2010 the European Parliament adopted a declaration calling for protection of Ashraf and the PMOI's de-proscription in the US; urges the USadministration to follow the UK in de-listing the PMOI and provide the necessary protection for the residents of Camp Ashraf; calls on the UN to station a monitoring team at Ashraf; and further calls on the UK Government to take necessary measures to convince the UN and US to adopt these measures.","date":"2010-12-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42075","proposer":"24784","edm":"1068A1","session":"2010-12","title":"Occupation Of The Palestinian Territories","text":"leave out from `House' to end and add `regrets that some link worldwide Islamist extremism to Israel's action regarding Gaza; notes that the objective of Islamists worldwide is not a peaceful resolution to the Middle East, but Jihad, and an ideology that believes that Israel, and by extension, Jews, should be wiped off the map per se; cites President Ahmadinejad, who makes no distinction between the West Bank and Tel Aviv; further notes that when Ehud Barak offered almost everything to Yasir Arafat at Camp David in 2000, far from discouraging Islamists, it emboldened them; further notes that when Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza in 2005, far from stopping extremists, it encouraged them, prompting many terrorist acts around the world; further regrets the Hamas coup against the more moderate Fatah movement in 2007; further regrets the 6,000 missiles fired by Islamists onto Israeli towns since the Gaza withdrawal; further regrets the blowing up of border crossings by Hamas, and the hijacking of aid convoys for their own purposes; acknowledges the one million tons of humanitarian supplies that have entered Gaza since 2009 alone from Israel, and the 15,000 tons of supplies entering Gaza every week; further notes finally that Egypt has also closed its border to Gaza; and therefore calls on the Government to reject the idea of moral equivalence between a democratic state subject to the rule of law, and terrorist groups who seek nothing of the kind.","date":"2010-11-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"42058","proposer":"10076","edm":"1068","session":"2010-12","title":"Occupation Of The Palestinian Territories","text":"That this House notes the 43-year-long occupation of the Palestinian Territories of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem by Israel; further notes the presence of over 500,000 illegal Israeli settlers on occupied land and therefusal of the government of Israel to halt the construction of such settlements, or even to suspend construction to allow peace talks with the Palestinian leadership to progress; further notes the continuing siege of the Gaza Strip, which since June 2007 has prevented exports from Gaza and disrupted the import of humanitarian supplies and materials to rebuild homes, schools, hospitals and businesses destroyed by war; reaffirms its continued belief in a lasting peace settlement with a secure and independent state of Palestine alongside a secure and independent Israel; and calls on the Government, working with the EU, to remind Israel that the continuation of trade and other preferences under theEU-Israeli Association Agreement is dependent on it implementing its own obligations to respect the human rights of Palestinians and to uphold international law.","date":"2010-11-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"41952","proposer":"10133","edm":"963","session":"2010-12","title":"Prosecution Of Kurdish Politicians In Turkey","text":"That this House deplores the ongoing prosecutions of 151 Kurdish politicians and human rights defenders in Turkey for so-called terrorist offences; notes that they are but a small portion of approximately 1,700 Kurdish politicians arrested in Turkey since 14 April 2009; recognises that the imprisoned include seven elected mayors from the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) with nearly 100 municipalities and 20 parliamentarians, as well as Mr Muharrem Erbey, lawyer and vice chairman of IHD, Turkey's largest and oldest human rights monitoring group; underscores that this indictment relies heavily on tapped telephone conversations, discussions recorded through remote listening technology and statements by secret witnesses; further notes that this criminalisation of peaceful political activism undermines prospects for a negotiated settlement to this conflict; considers the Turkish court's refusal of the detainees' request to deliver their defence in their native Kurdish language a violation of basic human rights and international law; and calls on the Government to exert pressure on Turkey to acquit the Kurdish politicians and human rights defenders on trial in Diyarbakir, to end its criminalisation of Kurdish political activism and to begin a comprehensive conflict resolution process involving all relevant Kurdish political actors.","date":"2010-11-04","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"41937","proposer":"24784","edm":"908A1","session":"2010-12","title":"Assassination Of Nobel Peace Prizewinner Yitzhak Rabin","text":"after `peace;' insert `notes the steps taken by successive Israeli leaders, such as Ehud Barak's summit at Camp David in 2000, Ariel Sharon's unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 and Ehud Olmert's 2008 peace proposal to achieve a lasting peace with the Palestinians; further notes that these wide-ranging and comprehensive offers were all rejected by the Palestinian leadership;'","date":"2010-11-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"41895","proposer":"10327","edm":"908","session":"2010-12","title":"Assassination Of Nobel Peace Prizewinner Yitzhak Rabin","text":"That this House pays tribute to Yitzhak Rabin, Prime Minister of Israel, on the 15th anniversary of his assassination on 4 November 1995 by a Jewish fanatic whose objective was to bring to an end Rabin's brave and steadfast commitment to making peace; and calls on today's Israeli politicians to honour Rabin's memory by fulfilling his objective of peace with the Palestinians and a two-state solution.","date":"2010-10-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"41802","proposer":"10614","edm":"835","session":"2010-12","title":"Yemen Taskforce","text":"That this House notes with concern that Yemen has been the target of recent terrorist attacks aimed at creating unrest; further notes that a stable and prosperous Yemen will help ensure a stable Middle East and that there is a continued need to combat terrorism through preventative measures both at home and abroad; urges the Government to recognise the value of partnership working, particularly through increasing contact between British and Yemeni parliamentarians; and calls on the Government to build on the work of Friends of Yemen by setting up a British-Yemeni taskforce to support Yemen to move towards its goal of stability.","date":"2010-10-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"41724","proposer":"24784","edm":"764","session":"2010-12","title":"Rifaat Al-Assad In London","text":"That this House is concerned at reports in the national press that Mr Rifaat al-Assad is living in central London; notes that Mr al-Assad is known to have commanded the Syrian forces that attacked the city of Hama in February 1982, instructing them to shell the city and kill tens of thousands of its inhabitants, resulting in the Hama massacre, which caused him to be known by survivors as the Butcher of Hama; further notes that American journalist Mr Friedman alleges in the book, From Beirut to Jerusalem that Mr al-Assad later said that the number of victims was `no less than 38,000'; and therefore calls on the Government urgently to consider whether Mr Rifaat al-Assad should be investigated and to inform the House of the steps it plans to take.","date":"2010-09-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"41528","proposer":"10133","edm":"571","session":"2010-12","title":"Mordechai Vanunu","text":"That this House notes Amnesty International's recognition of Mordechai Vanunu as a prisoner of conscience and condemns without reserve that he is once again being held in isolation in a small cell with no windows, in a special unit for dangerous prisoners in Ayalon prison, one of the most notorious in Israel, for a civil offence; further notes that these intolerable conditions are a harsh Israeli response to a dispute over where Vanunu should do community service, and are a real threat to his health; and calls on the Government to recognise Vanunu as a prisoner of conscience who should be transferred to a less severe prison without delay, and insist to the Israeli authorities that they stop this vindictive harassment of Vanunu and immediately show more respect for international human rights legislation by allowing Vanunu the right to freedom of expression and association and the opportunity to leave Israel, if he wishes, to live in the country of his choice.","date":"2010-07-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"41355","proposer":"10679","edm":"414","session":"2010-12","title":"Detention Of Gilad Shalit","text":"That this House notes the kidnapping by Hamas militants on 25 June 2006 of Gilad Shalit from within Israeli territory; further notes his subsequent removal to the Gaza Strip where he has been detained and deprived ofbasic human rights ever since; and calls on the Government to do all in its power to secure the freedom of Gilad Shalit.","date":"2010-07-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"41238","proposer":"24784","edm":"304","session":"2010-12","title":"Gilad Shalit","text":"That this House notes that 25 June 2010 is the fourth anniversary of the kidnap of Israeli serviceman Gilad Shalit by Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups in a cross-border terrorist attack inside Israel; is concerned that Gilad Shalit is being held incommunicado and is neither permitted to send nor receive messages from his family; further notes that despite repeated requests the International Committee of the Red Cross continues to be denied access to the kidnapped soldier; further notes that the soldier's continued detention is an obstacle to peace between Israelis and Palestinians; condemns the kidnapping of Corporal Gilad Shalit; and calls on the Government to redouble its efforts to secure his release.","date":"2010-06-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"41230","proposer":"24784","edm":"271A1","session":"2010-12","title":"Lord Trimble And The Israeli Inquiry Into The Raid On The Gaza Flotilla","text":"leave out from `2010;' to end and insert `further notes that he shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998 for his lifetime contribution to peace in Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement; calls on all concerned to trust in his good character and await his report; further notes that he lived under terrorism for many years, is a friend of democracy and of peace and knows all too well what it is like to face threats from terrorism; and further notes that it is possible to be both a friend of Israel and a supporter of peace in the Middle East'.","date":"2010-06-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"41194","proposer":"10327","edm":"271","session":"2010-12","title":"Lord Trimble And The Israeli Inquiry Into The Raid On The Gaza Flotilla","text":"That this House notes that Lord Trimble has been appointed as a foreign observer of the Israeli internal inquiry into that country's raid on the Gaza flotilla on 31 May 2010; and further notes that it has now been announced that he is one of the founding members of a newly-formed Friends of Israel composed of right-wing European politicians.","date":"2010-06-17","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"41136","proposer":"10231","edm":"213","session":"2010-12","title":"Mk Zoabi And The Gaza Flotilla","text":"That this House views with concern the treatment that MK Zoabi has received from her fellow parliamentarians in the Knesset as a result of her participation in the Gaza Freedom Flotilla; notes that she may shortly be deprived of parliamentary privileges which include her parliamentary immunity and Knesset membership, as well as facing criminal prosecution following her contradiction of the official Israeli version of events when the boats were intercepted in international waters; further notes that her vilification has lead to death threats and the assignment of personal body guards by the Knesset; and calls on the Government vigorously to support the actions of MK Zoabi in its representations to the Israeli government and to affirm MK Zoabi's basic political, civil and human rights, including freedom of speech, and those of the Palestinian people for whom she took her stand.","date":"2010-06-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"41087","proposer":"24784","edm":"127A1","session":"2010-12","title":"Israel And Gaza Flotilla","text":"leave out `destroyed' and insert `damaged'.","date":"2010-06-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"41088","proposer":"24784","edm":"127A2","session":"2010-12","title":"Israel And Gaza Flotilla","text":"leave out from `and' to `law;' in line 8.","date":"2010-06-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"41089","proposer":"24784","edm":"127A3","session":"2010-12","title":"Israel And Gaza Flotilla","text":"leave out from `require' to end and add `note that Hamas has ignored all previous Security Council resolutions calling on them to stop terrorist acts against Israel, to note that Israel, Egypt, the Palestinian Authority and the West have a shared interest in preventing Hamas from being strengthened, and to agree the focus should be on supporting the moderate Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.'.","date":"2010-06-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"41071","proposer":"10298","edm":"152","session":"2010-12","title":"Gaza Aid Flotilla","text":"That this House expresses its deep sorrow at the news of the tragic loss of life resulting from the action of Israeli forces against the aid flotilla bound for the citizens of Gaza and the pain which this has caused to the families of those who have lost loved ones; recognises the anger around the world; understands that while continuing conflicts between Israel and Palestine remain unresolved more lives may well be lost on both sides, further deepening hatred and distrust between many of those involved; urges all parties in the region to renounce violence, including the indirect violence of the blockade of Gaza, to commit themselves to wholly non-violent means of resolving these conflicts and to seek out and employ proven methods, and experienced practitioners, of non-violent conflict resolution to help end and heal the decades of death and suffering between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.","date":"2010-06-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"41040","proposer":"10521","edm":"124","session":"2010-12","title":"European Union Relations With Israel","text":"That this House considers that the continued flouting by Israel of United Nations resolutions, and its continued inhumane actions against the Palestinian people, are so serious that it is inappropriate for the European Union to continue to have special economic, trading and other relations with Israel; and therefore requests the Government to call on the European Union to terminate the favourable arrangements it has with Israel.","date":"2010-06-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"41041","proposer":"10521","edm":"125","session":"2010-12","title":"European Sporting And Cultural Relations With Israel","text":"That this House considers that since Israel is not in Europe then it is not appropriate that it competes in European sporting and cultural events; and therefore requests the Government to encourage organisers of events for European countries to exclude Israel.","date":"2010-06-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"41043","proposer":"10076","edm":"127","session":"2010-12","title":"Israel And Gaza Flotilla","text":"That this House is appalled by the loss of life associated with Israel's attack on the flotilla of ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza; notes that UK and other nationals have been held by Israel despite the attack having taken place in international waters; endorses the call of the United Nations Secretary General for a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation conforming to international standards; recognises that Israel's blockade which has destroyed the economy of Gaza and deepened poverty still inflicts widespread suffering and, by imposing collective punishment on the people of Gaza, is itself contrary to international law; and calls on the international community to require Israel to end its blockade and to redouble international efforts to secure a lasting settlement with a secure and independent state of Palestine alongside a secure and independent Israel.","date":"2010-06-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"40940","proposer":"10527","edm":"26","session":"2010-12","title":"Safe Haven For Assyrian Christians Of Iraq","text":"That this House recognises the 250,000 victims of the Assyrian Genocide of 1915; further recognises that promises of Assyrian statehood autonomy made during the First World War were not honoured; further recognises that the Assyrian people also suffered persecution in 1933 in Iraq; and calls on the Government to make representations to the Iraqi and Turkish governments with the aim of ensuring a safe haven for Assyrian Christians, or otherwise to consider the other option of resettlement whereby the UK and other EU member states would become part of the safe haven.","date":"2010-05-25","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"40759","proposer":"11784","edm":"1117","session":"2009-10","title":"Treatment Of Palestinian Children In Israeli Prisons","text":"That this House is concerned by recent reports of the treatment of Palestinian children in Israeli prisons; notes that 343 Palestinian children were being held in Israeli prisons at the end of February 2010; further notes that Israel routinely prosecutes children as young as 12; also notes the recent report by Defence for Children International which argues that ill-treatment and torture of Palestinian children is widespread, systemic and institutionalised; and calls on the Government to recognise the seriousness of this and to exert pressure on the Israeli authorities to uphold the human rights of Palestinian children.","date":"2010-03-17","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"40726","proposer":"10133","edm":"1093","session":"2009-10","title":"Demonstrations And Gaza","text":"That this House acknowledges the right of the citizen to express lawful views about the unlawful acts of others at peaceful demonstrations; notes the disproportionate and unusually harsh sentences imposed on many young Muslims, most of exemplary character, who demonstrated against the Israeli attack on Gaza in December 2008 and January 2009; and calls for an independent inquiry into the conduct of the police and public and the unwarranted collective conduct of the courts relevant to these demonstrations.","date":"2010-03-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"40649","proposer":"10120","edm":"1023","session":"2009-10","title":"Welfare Of Haytham Al-Maleh In Syria","text":"That this House is extremely concerned by reports that Amnesty prisoner-of-conscience Haytham Al-Maleh has become seriously ill since being denied appropriate medication for his chronic medical conditions; believes that Mr Al-Maleh, a prominent lawyer, human rights activist and former President of the Syrian Human Rights Society, has again been imprisoned because of his defence of human rights in Syria; recalls his defence of Mr Mamoun Al-Homsi and Mr Riad Seef, both former Syrian members of parliament, whose cases were taken up by the Inter-Parliamentary Union's Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians; and asks the international community to urge the Syrian government to release Mr Al-Maleh or at least to allow him to receive the medical treatment he requires as a matter of urgency and to significantly improve his conditions of detention.","date":"2010-03-04","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"40607","proposer":"10331","edm":"987","session":"2009-10","title":"Kazakhstan","text":"That this House is deeply concerned that two months into its Chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Kazakhstan appears to be reneging on the commitments it made in order to gain approval for this position, and in particular on its pledges to implement reforms in respect of media freedom, religious freedom, internet law, human rights, democratisation and legislation; and calls on the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to urge his European counterparts for joint action to press the Kazakhstan government on these matters at every possible opportunity and to consider what action or sanctions could be imposed if Kazakhstan fails to deliver on its promises by the end of 2010.","date":"2010-03-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"40614","proposer":"11589","edm":"994","session":"2009-10","title":"Recent Violence In Jabel Marra, Darfur","text":"That this House condemns the gross violence currently being waged in the Jabel Marra region of Darfur, particularly the town of Deribat, displacing tens of thousands of people and killing hundreds; notes that this military offensive, reportedly including attack from the air, has come after Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir's declaration on 24 February 2010 `that the crisis in Darfur is finished. Darfur is now at peace'; recognises also that the Doha ceasefire deal on 23 February 2010 was with one rebel group only, the Justice and Equality Movement; welcomes any respite to the suffering people of Darfur which any ceasefire can provide but recognises the questions about its durability and scope; calls for the violence in Jabel Marra to end and for Unamid peacekeepers to be allowed the access to Deribat they have been trying to negotiate; supports those aid groups still in that region whose staff have been endangered and who will struggle to cope with the humanitarian hazards engendered by the current fighting; calls on the Government and international agencies to recognise the seriousness of this suffering and to marshall appropriate aid and other interventions; urges the Government and the UN to acknowledge the implications of wider violence in southern Sudan for the national elections due in April 2010, which will be a benchmark test for the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between north and south Sudan; and further calls on all relevant agencies to undertake more contingency planning around those elections.","date":"2010-03-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"40532","proposer":"11589","edm":"923","session":"2009-10","title":"Israeli Response To UK And Eu Representations","text":"That this House deplores the Israeli Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman's contemptuous treatment of the profound concerns registered by the Foreign Secretary and other EU ministers when they met in Brussels on 22 February 2010; condemns not only the use of forged passports of UK and Irish citizens in a criminal operation but also, unequivocally, any state-sponsored para-terrorist assassination; recognises that the arrogant attitude of impunity and disdain now displayed by Israeli representatives is the reward for the UK Government's serial failure to take a stand against continuous Israeli transgressions including in Lebanon, Gaza, the West Bank and the ongoing subjugation of Palestinians through abrogation of humanitarian standards and violation of human rights; and calls on the Government to abandon its plans to amend the law on universal jurisdiction which it has previously justified on the grounds of protecting Israel's right to due diplomatic conduct and intergovernmental engagement, standards for which the Israeli government currently demonstrates a blatant disregard.","date":"2010-02-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"40500","proposer":"10001","edm":"891","session":"2009-10","title":"Resettlement Of Yemeni Jews","text":"That this House is concerned that the small number of remaining Jews living in Yemen are facing ongoing religious persecution and systematic mistreatment which represents a critical threat to the health, safety and security of their community; notes that the United States administration has facilitated the resettlement of Yemeni Jews in the US for those with ties to that country; and urges the Government to follow this example and consider providing specific measures for those members of the group with ties to the UK who urgently need protection on humanitarian grounds.","date":"2010-02-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"40463","proposer":"10248","edm":"863","session":"2009-10","title":"Islands Of Abu Musa And Greater And Lesser Tunb","text":"That this House welcomes the strong and historic ties between the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where some 120,000 British citizens currently reside; notes the UAE's continued territorial claims over the islands of Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz; commends the work of the Federal National Council, in bringing this issue to international attention; believes that the UAE should be encouraged to press its case in either bilateral negotiations with Iran or through the International Court of Justice; and calls on the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to support the UAE in the resolution of this important issue.","date":"2010-02-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"40449","proposer":"10133","edm":"849","session":"2009-10","title":"Nobel Peace Prize And Dr Mustafa Barghouthi","text":"That this House congratulates the Palestinian National Initiative MP Dr Mustafa Barghouthi on his recent nomination for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize; notes the invaluable role he plays in organising and encouraging Palestinian civil society in the fundamental principles of non-violence; acknowledges the tirelessness of his activities in the face of so many seemingly insurmountable obstacles that face all Palestinians living under Israeli occupation whether that be in the West Bank or imprisoned in Gaza; calls on the Government to take action to uphold the principles of international law at all times when exercising foreign policy in the Middle East; and welcomes and supports this Nobel nomination by Mairead Maguire.","date":"2010-02-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"40309","proposer":"10327","edm":"718","session":"2009-10","title":"European Campaign To End The Siege On Gaza","text":"That this House welcomes the work of the European Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza in arranging a delegation of over 60 parliamentarians from 13 European countries to visit Gaza 15-16 January 2010; notes this tangible act of solidarity with the 1.5 million people living under siege with constant shortages of food, medicine, water and electricity which is causing irreversible damage to the health and social wellbeing of Gazan children, adults and elderly people; calls for the lifting of the siege through the reopening of all border crossings to allow people to move freely and all necessary supplies, including for reconstruction, to reach those in desperate need; further calls upon the European Union to observe the human rights clauses of the Trade Association Agreements; and further calls on the UK Government vigorously to support the findings of the Goldstone Report on the UN Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza conflict and to ensure that the perpetrators of war crimes during Operation Cast Lead should be held to account.","date":"2010-01-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"40164","proposer":"10614","edm":"585","session":"2009-10","title":"Yemen","text":"That this House welcomes the conference to be held on 27 January 2010 on Yemen and the increased funding being provided to Yemen by the Government; believes that the Conference will help towards tackling the growing security threats within the country; is concerned, however, with the suggested diversion of Yemenia flights from Sanaa to London, causing huge inconvenience to passengers who must disembark to be security-checked in either Paris or Cairo; notes that this course of action isolates Yemen and urges the Government to send technical assistance to Sanaa so that passengers can have rigorous security scanning before boarding flights; welcomes the visit of the German Foreign Minister to Yemen; and calls on the Government to follow this example and visit Yemen to discuss security issues in the region in light of the British hostage held captive and growing terrorist activities in the region.","date":"2010-01-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"40153","proposer":"10133","edm":"574","session":"2009-10","title":"Mordechai Vanunu","text":"That this House condemns the latest incident in the continuing harassment of Mordechai Vanunu when he was detained in December 2009 and placed under house arrest for being with his girlfriend; notes that he completed an 18 year sentence for revealing Israel's secret development of nuclear arsenal over five years ago; that, despite the passage of 23 years since he was brutally kidnapped by Israeli agents for the publication of that information by The Sunday Times, is alarmed that Israel insists that Vanunu has sensitive information that could harm its security; and calls on the Government to recognise these facts and to insist that Israel respects Vanunu's human rights by withdrawing its repressive restrictions and that allowing him the freedom to leave Israel if he so wishes.","date":"2010-01-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"40111","proposer":"10076","edm":"536","session":"2009-10","title":"Gaza","text":"That this House calls for the immediate lifting of the blockade of the Gaza Strip, which 12 months on from Israel's invasion of the territory continues to prevent both the unfettered distribution of humanitarian aid and the reconstruction of Gaza's shattered infrastructure; notes that Operation Cast Lead, launched on 27th December 2008, killed 1,300 Palestinians, including 340 children, damaged or destroyed 50,000 homes, 280 schools and kindergartens, as well as numerous hospitals; further notes that under Israel's blockade essential food items and fuel are routinely prevented from entering the territory, whilst over two thirds of the population live in poverty and require United Nations aid merely to survive; highlights the fact that many Palestinians, now suffering in the grip of winter, are forced to live in temporary shelters or partially destroyed homes; and further calls on the Government to apply meaningful pressure upon Israel to abide by UN Security Council Resolution 1860 and end this flagrant abuse of international law.","date":"2010-01-05","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"40019","proposer":"10419","edm":"449","session":"2009-10","title":"Labelling Of Settlement Goods","text":"That this House welcomes the labelling guidelines recently issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to assist consumers to identify products from Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, regarded as illegal under international law; and calls on all catering establishments in both Houses of Parliament strictly to adhere to these guidelines.","date":"2009-12-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"39872","proposer":"10096","edm":"312","session":"2009-10","title":"Berlanty Azzam And Bethlehem University","text":"That this House congratulates Bethlehem University on its scheme to bring students from Gaza to the university to study; is shocked, however, to learn that one student, Ms Berlanty Azzam, who is in her fourth year majoring in business administration, was arrested by the Israeli military, blindfolded, handcuffed and transferred from Bethlehem to Gaza in the middle of the night; recognises that whilst the Israeli-controlled population registry lists Ms Azzam as residing in the Gaza Strip, she has lived in Bethlehem since 2005; calls on the Israeli authorities to allow her to complete her degree; and urges the Government to protest against the unjust Israeli policy that bans Palestinian residents of Gaza from studying in the West Bank.","date":"2009-12-01","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"39874","proposer":"10363","edm":"314","session":"2009-10","title":"Draft European Statement On East Jerusalem","text":"That this House supports the proposed statement by the Council of the European Union drafted by the Swedish Presidency calling for negotiations on a two-state solution leading to an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital; welcomes the statement's clear reiteration that settlements are illegal under international law, as are the separation barrier on occupied land and the demolition of homes; agrees that all three constitute an obstacle to peace by threatening to make a two-state solution impossible; and asks the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to endorse this document at the meeting in Brussels on 7 December 2009.","date":"2009-12-01","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"39778","proposer":"10852","edm":"235","session":"2009-10","title":"Deportation Of Gloucester Residents On Arrival In Israel","text":"That this House views with concern the Israeli government's decision to refuse entry on arrival in Israel of the Friendship Caf Group, visiting Israel as part of an interfaith visit by Gloucester residents; expresses its concern that groups like this, containing Muslim, Christian and those with Jewish roots on an harmonious visit should be refused entry without explanation and after rude and aggressive questioning by Israeli entry clearance staff; calls on the Foreign Secretary to take the matter up with the Israeli Embassy; and urges him to encourage interfaith visits to Israel which can enhance and improve relations between countries and their faiths.","date":"2009-11-25","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"39534","proposer":"10096","edm":"2270","session":"2008-09","title":"Berlanty Azzam And Bethlehem University","text":"That this House congratulates Bethlehem University on its scheme to bring students from Gaza to the university to study; is shocked, however, to learn that one student, Ms Berlanty Azzam, who is in her fourth year majoring in business administration, was arrested by the Israeli military, blindfolded, handcuffed and transferred from Bethlehem to Gaza in the middle of the night; recognises that whilst the Israeli-controlled population registry lists Ms Azzam as residing in the Gaza Strip, she has lived in Bethlehem since 2005; calls on the Israeli authorities to allow her to complete her degree; and urges the Government to protest against the unjust Israeli policy that bans Palestinian residents of Gaza from studying in the West Bank.","date":"2009-11-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"39518","proposer":"10133","edm":"2256","session":"2008-09","title":"Trade Union Rights In Saudi Arabia","text":"That this House believes it a fundamental human right to be able to form independent trade unions; is concerned that Yahya Al Faifi was an active trade unionist in Saudi Arabia and due to threats made against him left and came to the United Kingdom; and calls on the UK to express its concerns at human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia and not to allow any deportations to take place of those who have been active as trade unionists and thus face persecution.","date":"2009-11-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"39499","proposer":"10614","edm":"2238","session":"2008-09","title":"Declining Oil Reserves In Yemen","text":"That this House is concerned that diminishing supplies of oil in Yemen will have devastating effects on the economy of the country; notes that 75 per cent. of government revenue and 90 per cent. of export money comes from oil; further notes that 15.7 per cent. of people in Yemen live on less than \u00a30.61 a day and the average gross domestic product per capita is only \u00a3540 a year; expresses concern that the unemployment rate stands at 35 per cent.; further expresses fears that decreasing oil supplies will cause more oil factories to close, increasing unemployment levels; and calls on the Government to work alongside the Yemeni government to ensure that the ongoing development of the country is not adversely impacted on due to declining oil reserves.","date":"2009-11-04","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"39403","proposer":"11621","edm":"2013A1","session":"2008-09","title":"Medical And Food Supplies To Gaza","text":"leave out from `condemns' to end and add `criticism of the Israeli government's policy on Gaza border crossings; notes that Israeli border crossings are open to allow on average 100 trucks of cargo (food, fuel and other supplies) in Gaza each day; further notes that there is also a clear border between Gaza and Egypt, controlled externally by Egypt, who shares responsibility with Israel for making sure humanitarian aid enters Gaza; and asks the Government to use all available diplomatic channels with both Israel and Egypt to ensure Gazans have access to deliveries of humanitarian aid.'.","date":"2009-10-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"39357","proposer":"10155","edm":"2123","session":"2008-09","title":"Eu-Syria Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement","text":"That this House notes media reports that the EU-Syria Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement is due to be signed on 26 October 2009; further notes that the Association Agreement can be suspended in the event of human rights violations; recalls that Syria is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; is appalled at the ongoing detention of Kamal al-Labwani, artist and campaigner for peaceful democratic reform in Syria; draws attention to the opinion of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention that concluded his imprisonment by the Syrian authorities is illegal; is very concerned at reports of the disappearance of human rights lawyer Haythem al-Maleh on 17 October 2009; commends European Parliament resolution P7_TA-PROV(2009)0024 which calls for the release of political detainees; is alarmed at the Syrian government's disregard for human rights, including civil and political rights; and calls on the Syrian government to release political detainees, including Kamal al-Labwani, human rights lawyers and Damascus Declaration activists, prior to the signing of the EU-Syria Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement.","date":"2009-10-21","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"39242","proposer":"10716","edm":"2013","session":"2008-09","title":"Medical And Food Supplies To Gaza","text":"That this House condemns the continued illegal blockade of Palestinian Gaza territory by Israel; notes that the blockade causes immense pain and suffering to Palestinians in Gaza; is further concerned that medical and food supplies are not allowed into Gaza by the Israeli forces; further notes that the Israeli military forcibly boarded an aid ship while in international waters, in violation of numerous international laws; praises the work of the Free Gaza Movement ships Dignity and the Spirit of Humanity, which bring in much needed humanitarian assistance; and asks that the Government use all available diplomatic channels to end the blockade.","date":"2009-10-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"39221","proposer":"10021","edm":"1991","session":"2008-09","title":"United Nations Report On Gaza","text":"That this House welcomes the United Nations' mandated report led by eminent judge Richard Goldstone, which details transgressions by both the Israeli military and Palestinian groups during fighting from December 2008 to January 2009 in Gaza; notes that the report concludes that Israel's actions amounted to war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity due to disproportionate use of force that involved the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure and the use of illegal weapons and human shields as part of an intentional policy directed at the people of Gaza as a whole; further notes that the Mission urges the UN Security Council to refer the matter to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court should Israel's internal investigations not prove satisfactory; further notes that Hamas was also considered to have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in the firing of rockets and mortars at civilians, but that whilst Hamas already faces sanctions from the international community Israel enjoys widespread patronage and support from many nations, including the UK; and calls on the British Government to insist that all parties are held fully accountable for their actions in order to deter future war crimes and crimes against humanity from taking place.","date":"2009-10-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"38997","proposer":"11420","edm":"1797","session":"2008-09","title":"Aid Ship Spirit Of Humanity","text":"That this House expresses its concern at the illegal detention in international waters of the aid ship Spirit of Humanity and her crew of 21 including British citizens; and calls on the Israeli government immediately to release the ship and her crew in order to allow the ship's humanitarian mission to continue unmolested.","date":"2009-07-01","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"38956","proposer":"10169","edm":"1757","session":"2008-09","title":"Gilad Shalit","text":"That this House notes that 25 June 2009 was the third anniversary of the kidnap of Israeli serviceman Gilad Shalit; is concerned that he is being held a hostage, incommunicado, and is neither permitted to send or receive messages from his family, nor receive visits from the Red Cross or similar organisations; and calls on the Government to redouble its efforts to secure the release from captivity of Gilad Shalit and of other Israeli service personnel who are being held as hostages.","date":"2009-06-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"38890","proposer":"10564","edm":"1699","session":"2008-09","title":"Government Policy On Israeli Settlements","text":"That this House endorses the call by President Obama for a full and complete freeze on all Israeli settlement building in occupied territories, including natural growth; notes that all settlements including outposts are explicitly illegal under international law and exist in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions; further notes that they are a major obstacle to peace and a meaningful two state solution which includes a viable, independent sovereign Palestinian state; and welcomes the Government's call for such a total freeze on settlement activity and urges the Government to do all in its power to bring this about.","date":"2009-06-17","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"38873","proposer":"10323","edm":"1686","session":"2008-09","title":"Pending Demolition Of The Shawamreh Family Home In East Jerusalem","text":"That this House notes that since 1967, the Israeli authorities have demolished more than 24,000 Palestinian homes in the Occupied Territories; further notes the Israeli Supreme Court recently ruled that the home of Salim and Arabiya Shawamreh in Anata, already demolished by the Israeli authorities four times, can be demolished again; applauds the courageous resistance of the Shawamreh family; and calls on the Israeli authorities to grant the Shawamreh family a permit to build and to halt their illegal programme of demolition of Palestinian homes in line with the UN's call for Israel to freeze all pending demolition orders in East Jerusalem.","date":"2009-06-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"38624","proposer":"10218","edm":"1456","session":"2008-09","title":"Gaza 100 Event","text":"That this House notes that Gaza remains subject to a siege which has inhibited reconstruction after the recent conflict and continues to bear down particularly badly on children in Gaza; further notes that UK-registered charities are organising a Gaza 100 event on 23 May in Mile End, Tower Hamlets; further notes that the event intends to bring together a world record number of people to run 100 metres; further notes that the purpose of the event is to raise money to help the children of Gaza; further notes that Gaza 100 can make a significant contribution to helping children in Gaza; and encourages as many people as possible to participate in this event.","date":"2009-05-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"38630","proposer":"10021","edm":"1462","session":"2008-09","title":"Arrests Of Democratic Society Party Members In Turkey","text":"That this House is concerned about the recent wave of arrests in Turkey of members of the Democratic Society Party (DTP), a legal political party which, in the recent Turkish local elections, achieved a resounding endorsement from Kurdish voters; notes that the Party's success awakened hope for many millions of Kurds that their voice would be heard in Turkish politics; regrets that in responding to the DTP's electoral victories with repression, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is revealing itself to be little different from previous administrations which have refused to acknowledge the existence of a Kurdish issue and thus offered no solutions for resolving it; believes that it is the duty of all those who seek peace and stability in Turkey to support the responsible calls for a just democratic solution to the issue of the rights of the Kurdish people; calls for the immediate release of all those DTP members who have been arrested; and urges the UK Government to put the utmost diplomatic pressure on Turkey to turn away from conflict and to open negotiations with DTP leaders forthwith as it believes the DTP has a key role to play in any peace process and bringing stability to the region.","date":"2009-05-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"38607","proposer":"10133","edm":"1443","session":"2008-09","title":"Mordechai Vanunu","text":"That this House deplores the fact that Mordechai Vanunu, released in April 2004 after serving a full 18-year sentence for revealing details of Israel's nuclear weapons' programme, has now had restrictions on his freedom of movement and speech in Israel renewed for yet a sixth year on 21 April; notes also that he is barred from leaving Israel and from speaking to foreigners for which latter offence he was sentenced last year to six months imprisonment, later reduced to three months; and calls upon the Government to request the Israeli government to procure the final lifting of these restrictions, which have no legal or security justification and are an infringement of Mordechai Vanunu's human rights.","date":"2009-05-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"38490","proposer":"11784","edm":"1339","session":"2008-09","title":"Israeli Defence Force And White Phosphorus","text":"That this House welcomes the Israeli Defence Force's decision to stop using white phosphorus shells in Gaza in 2009 following evidence that they were injuring civilians; notes that, although phosphorus bombs may be used to create smokescreens, their use as weapons in civilian areas is illegal under the Geneva Conventions; recalls the report Rain of Fire by Human Rights Watch; urges Israel to admit that it acted in contravention of the international law principles of distinction and proportionality by using white phosphorus munitions in areas of high civilian density in the recent Gaza conflict; and concludes that Israel must agree to the investigation of this issue by the UN Human Rights Council.","date":"2009-04-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"38357","proposer":"10363","edm":"1235","session":"2008-09","title":"Allegations Of War Crimes In Gaza (No. 2)","text":"That this House notes the allegations which have been made in respect of war crimes committed during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza in December 2008 and January 2009 on the basis of investigations by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and The Guardian newspaper; notes that these allegations include the use of human shields, unmanned aerial vehicles and the targeting of medical staff and medical facilities, all of which are prohibited under the Fourth Geneva Convention; recalls that Britain is a High Contracting Party to the Convention and is, therefore, legally required to uphold its provisions; and urges the Government to call for an independent inquiry sanctioned by the UN Security Council into allegations of war crimes during Operation Cast Lead.","date":"2009-03-31","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"38324","proposer":"11784","edm":"1203","session":"2008-09","title":"Human Rights Watch Rain Of Fire Report","text":"That this House notes the publication of the report Rain of Fire by Human Rights Watch on the subject of Israel's use of white phosphorus in Gaza; further notes that the document illustrates Israel's extensive use of white phosphorus munitions during its most recent military operation in Gaza; further notes that the report concludes that the Israel Defence Forces repeatedly exploded white phosphorus munitions in the air over populated areas, killing and injuring civilians and damaging civilian structures; recognises the principles of distinction and proportionality enshrined in customary international law; and calls for an urgent, international, impartial fact-finding mission to begin the process of criminal prosecution in relation to the Gaza conflict.","date":"2009-03-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"38249","proposer":"11093","edm":"1137","session":"2008-09","title":"IBRAHIM MOUSSAWI'S DECLINED VISA","text":"That this House welcomes the decision to decline the visa application of Ibrahim Moussawi, Media Relations Officer of Hizbollah and former editor of Al Manar, the radical television station of Hizbollah; agrees that the UK should not be a platform for his messages of hate; and calls on the Secretary of State for the Home Department to make his exclusion permanent.","date":"2009-03-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"38226","proposer":"11531","edm":"1115","session":"2008-09","title":"Detention Of Corporal Gilad Shalit","text":"That this House calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the Israeli soldier, Corporal Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped by Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups in a cross-border terrorist attack inside Israel on 25 June 2006; welcomes Egyptian efforts to bring about the soldier's release; notes that 21 March 2009 will mark the soldier's 1,000th day in captivity; further notes that, despite repeated requests, the International Committee of the Red Cross continues to be denied access to the kidnapped soldier; recognises that the soldier's continued detention is an obstacle to peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians; condemns the kidnapping of Corporal Shalit by Hamas; and urges the Government to do all it can to bring about Corporal Shalit's release.","date":"2009-03-17","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"38204","proposer":"10141","edm":"1095","session":"2008-09","title":"Gaza Aid Convoy","text":"That this House congratulates the work and efforts of the Bolton Viva team in raising \u00c2\u00a3130,000 locally for humanitarian aid to Gaza; notes that under the banner of With Love from Bolton the team managed to send nine vehicles with drivers to join the convoy carrying much needed humanitarian relief to the people of Gaza; recognises this tremendous achievement by the Bolton Viva Palestina team; and welcomes their safe return home.","date":"2009-03-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"38187","proposer":"10385","edm":"1079","session":"2008-09","title":"Christians In The Holy Land","text":"That this House is deeply concerned about the treatment of Christians in the Holy Land; is concerned about the limitations being placed on Christians in the Holy Land by the Israeli authorities, denying Christians their rights to worship, education and general mobility across divided parishes, dioceses and school catchment areas; and calls on the Government to take immediate action to defend the rights of Christians in the Holy Land.","date":"2009-03-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"38065","proposer":"10564","edm":"981","session":"2008-09","title":"UK Policy On Israeli Settlements In Palestinian Territories","text":"That this House notes the Foreign Secretary's repeated statements that Israel's settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the demolition of Palestinian homes and expropriation of Palestinian land for settlement infrastructure and the so-called security wall are illegal and an obstacle to peace; welcomes the steps the British Government has taken to stop settlements goods imported into the EU from benefiting from the preferences of the EU-Israel Trade Agreement; and congratulates the British Embassy in Tel Aviv for ending negotiations to move to new premises in the development company Africa-Israel's Kirya Tower because of that company's involvement in construction projects in three illegal settlements at Matityahu East, Har Homa and Ma'aleh Adumim.","date":"2009-03-04","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37869","proposer":"11522","edm":"807","session":"2008-09","title":"Aid To Gaza","text":"That this House calls on the Government to give the strongest support to the UN in seeking access to Gaza to provide humanitarian aid; and expresses its gravest concerns about the restrictions on such humanitarian flows being imposed by the state of Israel.","date":"2009-02-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37843","proposer":"11784","edm":"783","session":"2008-09","title":"Prime Minister And Gaza","text":"That this House is disappointed that in the Answer to a Question from the hon. Member for Rochdale on 11 February 2009, regarding allegations of war crimes during the recent conflict in Gaza, the Prime Minister gave no commitment to request the UN Security Council to refer the matter to the International Criminal Court.","date":"2009-02-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37844","proposer":"11784","edm":"784","session":"2008-09","title":"Un Security Council And The International Criminal Court","text":"That this House is disappointed that the Government has not requested the Security Council of the UN to refer allegations of war crimes to the International Criminal Court; notes that both the UN Secretary General and Israel have agreed to undertake inquiries but is concerned that Israel has not ratified the Rome Statute and believes that without reference to the International Criminal Court it is unlikely that anyone will be indicted for war crimes.","date":"2009-02-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37769","proposer":"13735","edm":"684A1","session":"2008-09","title":"Deaths Of Children In Gaza","text":"leave out `with amazement the' and insert `the all too predictable'.","date":"2009-02-05","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37735","proposer":"10123","edm":"684","session":"2008-09","title":"Deaths Of Children In Gaza","text":"That this House notes with amazement the reported comments of Israeli Foreign Secretary, Tzipi Livni that certain people in the world have accused Israel of acting against international values and rights, that there is a difference between premeditated murder and death by accident, and that terrorists aim directly at children in Israel while Israeli soldiers make an effort to avoid hurting children; reaffirms that there is considerable evidence that Israel acted against international values and rights in its recent onslaught on Gaza; further notes that the killing of 450 children and injury of another 1,500 as a consequence of the actions of Israel's armed forces was not an accident; and expresses concern about the future prospects for peace when such prominent Israeli politicians live in a fantasy world to justify their denial of the facts and make such senseless statements.","date":"2009-02-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37736","proposer":"10543","edm":"626A1","session":"2008-09","title":"Student Occupations And Gaza","text":"after 'including', insert `Bradford University'.","date":"2009-02-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37698","proposer":"11522","edm":"648","session":"2008-09","title":"Remarks Of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert","text":"That this House, whilst understanding the anger at further rocket attacks into Israel, notes with regret remarks of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at an Israeli weekly cabinet meeting, vowing that Israel would act according to new rules and warning that Israel's response would be harsh and disproportionate; and believes that this reflects a disparaging lack of concern for the United Kingdom as a friend of Israel wanting to secure a reduction in tensions in the Middle East and internationally.","date":"2009-02-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37656","proposer":"10543","edm":"610","session":"2008-09","title":"Allegations Of War Crimes In Gaza","text":"That this House calls on the British Government to propose a resolution to the United Nations Security Council calling on the Security Council to refer allegations of war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza to the International Criminal Court.","date":"2009-01-28","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37672","proposer":"10383","edm":"626","session":"2008-09","title":"Student Occupations And Gaza","text":"That this House praises the wave of student occupations across the country against Israel's unlawful invasion and bombing of Gaza; regrets that an estimated thousand Palestinians have been killed as a direct result of the recent Israeli invasion of Gaza with many more people injured and suffering ongoing hardship; and welcomes the engagement of young people in protesting against the unfolding human tragedy in Gaza by taking direct action at numerous institutions including Cambridge University, Essex University, Kings College London, Manchester Metropolitan University, Oxford University, Queen Mary University London and Sussex University.","date":"2009-01-28","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37674","proposer":"12834","edm":"457A1","session":"2008-09","title":"Conflict In Gaza","text":"leave out `540 Israeli academics, artists and writers' and insert `almost 600 British Jews opposed to the invasion of Gaza and citing similar opinions by 540 Israeli academics, artists and writers, as well as 1,800 residents of Sderot and Gaza'.","date":"2009-01-28","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37608","proposer":"11531","edm":"574","session":"2008-09","title":"Bbc, Sky And The Disasters Emergency Committee","text":"That this House believes that the BBC and Sky should broadcast the Disasters Emergency Committee's (DEC) humanitarian aid appeal for Gaza aid relief and reconstruction; further believes that civilians in the Gaza Strip are in desperate need of food, medicine, water and blankets; notes that the DEC is an umbrella organisation for 13 aid agencies, including the British Red Cross, who are certain they can carry out their aid operation both with impartiality and the access they need; understands that the Kerem Shalom, Nahal Oz and Erez crossings from Israel into Gaza are all now open and over 26,000 tons of aid and 1.9 million litres of fuel have entered since the ceasefire began; acknowledges the measures aid agencies are taking to avoid channelling funds or aid to Hamas using well-established, local non-governmental partners; recognises that Israel accepts the difficult humanitarian situation in Gaza and in doing so has appointed Welfare Minister, Isaac Herzog, to co-ordinate humanitarian aid to Gaza; commends the UK Government for its contribution of \u00c2\u00a327 million aid to Gaza; welcomes the decision by ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 to air the DEC appeal; urges the BBC and Sky to raise any specific concerns they have about donations so they can be dealt with properly; and calls on Sky and the BBC to reverse their decision and broadcast the campaign, publicising the details of the DEC appeal and the means whereby members of the public may donate to it.","date":"2009-01-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37619","proposer":"10076","edm":"585","session":"2008-09","title":"Dec Gaza Crisis Appeal","text":"That this House is astonished by the refusal of the BBC and Sky to broadcast the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Gaza Crisis Appeal; considers that the explanations given for this decision by BBC spokespersons are both unconvincing and incoherent; and draws attention to the fact that people wishing to obtain information about the Gaza appeal can contact the DEC by visiting www.dec.org.uk.","date":"2009-01-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37577","proposer":"10123","edm":"548","session":"2008-09","title":"Dinner With Israeli Prime Minister","text":"That this House notes that 1,100 Palestinians in Gaza have been murdered in the recent Israeli offensive, over 400 of them children, over 5,000 were injured, 1,500 of them children, that UN-protected buildings like schools were attacked, that there was massive destruction of civilian infrastructure built up over years by aid from countries like the UK; and that there were major breaches of international law, principally the collective punishment of civilians but also the use of weapons like white phosphorus; and therefore considers that the arrangements for the Prime Minister's attendance at a dinner in Jerusalem with the Israeli Prime Minister gave the impression of endorsement of the Israeli government's actions were ill-judged.","date":"2009-01-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37584","proposer":"10353","edm":"555","session":"2008-09","title":"Beit Lahia Un School","text":"That this House is appalled by the attack, which included the use of phosphorus shells, on the Beit Lahia UN School, Gaza in which two children were killed and many other people injured; notes the call by UN representatives for an independent investigation into the attack and the view of Amnesty International that there is prima facie evidence of war crimes; and calls upon the Government to support an independent international inquiry into this case to consider if there are grounds for a reference to the International Criminal Court.","date":"2009-01-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37592","proposer":"10261","edm":"378A1","session":"2008-09","title":"Gaza Strip Conflict","text":"after `crimes' insert `may'.","date":"2009-01-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37571","proposer":"10251","edm":"544","session":"2008-09","title":"End Of Hostilities In Gaza","text":"That this House welcomes the end of hostilities in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces; deplores the loss of over 1,300 Palestinian and 13 Israeli lives; recognises the need for the international community to begin an urgent and substantial humanitarian relief and reconstruction effort to alleviate the suffering in Gaza; supports efforts by the UN and charities to provide relief to the people of Gaza; condemns the shelling of the UN Headquarters in Gaza; believes that allegations of war crimes should be properly investigated; recognises the urgent need to find ways to prevent weapons from being smuggled into Gaza; calls on the Israeli and Egyptian governments to ensure that Gaza's borders are open on a continuous and safe basis; calls for international monitoring arrangements to ensure that rocket attacks into Israel cannot be resumed; appeals for energetic diplomatic action from the new U.S. administration, EU countries and countries of the region to secure a return to negotiations for a lasting peace settlement in the Middle East; and recognises the long-term resolution to the conflict as being the two state solution with a secure Israel living alongside a sovereign and viable Palestinian state.","date":"2009-01-21","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37544","proposer":"10492","edm":"519","session":"2008-09","title":"Arms Exports To Israel","text":"That this House notes that the latest Strategic Export Controls Quarterly Report issued by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform shows arms exports to Israel in the first half of 2008 to be in excess of \u00c2\u00a320 million; and calls for a complete ban on all such sales to Israel until a permanent peace agreement is signed with the elected government of Palestine.","date":"2009-01-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37515","proposer":"10021","edm":"491","session":"2008-09","title":"Banning Of Arab Parties In Israel","text":"That this House condemns the decision by the Israeli Central Election Committee to ban two Arab political parties, United Arab List-Talal and Balad, from standing in next month's Israeli General Election; notes that this decision further undermines Israel's claims to be a democracy; further notes that whilst their suspension was proposed by the ultra nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu and National Union it was also supported by other Israeli Jewish parties, including Labour; further notes that United Arab List-Talal and Balad currently have seven members of the Knesset and that the reasons cited for the ban include that they had called for equal rights and had refused to recognise Israel as a democratic state; and calls on the Government to make urgent representations to get the ban lifted and to ensure that such measures are never repeated again.","date":"2009-01-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37488","proposer":"10169","edm":"464","session":"2008-09","title":"Text Life For Peace For Israel, Peace For Gaza Campaign","text":"That this House recognises the need for a sustainable peace in the Middle East, in which both Israelis and Gazans can live their lives, free from the hateful and violent ideology of Hamas; commends to all hon. Members the initiative launched by the Jewish community at the Peace for Israel, Peace for Gaza rally in Trafalgar Square on 11 January, whereby all advocates of peace have been urged to text the word LIFE to 81400 in order to raise funds, which will be divided equally between aid efforts in both Israel and Gaza; and further recognises that while political opinion is often divided on the Israel\/Palestine issue, there can be no better way than this to show support for innocent civilians on both sides of the conflict.","date":"2009-01-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37493","proposer":"10385","edm":"469","session":"2008-09","title":"End To Child Suffering In Gaza","text":"That this House calls on the Government to assist in bringing an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas; recognises that the current escalation of violence is unprecedented in both the scope and the impact this is having on Gaza's children, who suffer physically and emotionally; is concerned that more than 1,000 Palestinian children and over 100 Israeli children have been killed in the conflict since 2000; and is further concerned that the ongoing attacks will only worsen the situation and occur at a time when the Gazan population is already severely afflicted.","date":"2009-01-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37501","proposer":"10262","edm":"477","session":"2008-09","title":"Use Of White Phosphorus In The Gaza Strip","text":"That this House expresses alarm about the use of white phosphorus by the Israeli defence forces in the current conflict with Gaza; understands that although the chemical is not illegal under international law, its purpose is primarily intended for smokescreens and signalling on the battlefield; therefore believes it is ill-suited to densely populated areas like the Gaza Strip; recognises that white phosphorus is indiscriminate in its target and will therefore not distinguish between militants and civilians; is seriously concerned that due to medical shortages and a severe shortage of water, medics within the Gaza Strip lack the capabilities to alleviate the suffering of civilians who may have been affected; is concerned that external monitors and medics are prohibited from entering the Gaza Strip; further recognises that world leaders have condemned the use of the chemical; calls on the Government to clarify its policy on white phosphorus; and urges the Government to do all it can to persuade the Israeli government to stop the bombardments and use of white phosphorus and to allow full humanitarian access to the Palestinians.","date":"2009-01-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37478","proposer":"12004","edm":"455","session":"2008-09","title":"AL JAZEERA'S COVERAGE OF GAZA","text":"That this House praises the TV network al Jazeera for its continued and informed coverage of the deliberately induced humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.","date":"2009-01-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37480","proposer":"10528","edm":"457","session":"2008-09","title":"Conflict In Gaza","text":"That this House welcomes the statement in The Times by Jews for Justice for Palestinians signed by 540 Israeli academics, artists and writers, calling for an end to the slaughter in Gaza; and welcomes in particular its demands for an immediate unconditional ceasefire, an end to the blockade and the opening of dialogue with Hamas, without which there can be no durable peace, UK condemnation of Israeli breaches of the Geneva Conventions, just as the UK has condemned Hamas rockets, an investigation into war crimes that may have been committed by any party to the conflict, an embargo on arms to Israel and lastly the suspension of the EU-Israel Association until Israel fulfils the basic human rights conditions on which it is predicated.","date":"2009-01-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37440","proposer":"11245","edm":"420","session":"2008-09","title":"Turkish Policy On Iraqi Kurdistan","text":"That this House is concerned about improper use of military force; wishes to see an end to the continuing bombardment by Turkey of Iraqi Kurdistan; believes that this bombardment militates against Turkish credibility in acting as a mediator in the Middle East conflict; and calls on the Government to make representations to Turkey to stop its bombardment and engage in more meaningful discussions with the Kurdistan Regional Government.","date":"2009-01-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37443","proposer":"11589","edm":"423","session":"2008-09","title":"Terror In Gaza","text":"That this House deplores the concentration of violence, degradation and hardship suffered by the Palestinian people; condemns terrorist attacks on Israelis by Hamas or other armed factions; recognises that the essence of terrorism is to attack civilians and civil infrastructure to achieve or impose political ends; condemns, unequivocally, the Israeli Defence Force's onslaught of terror in Gaza; rejects the pretence of military equivalence between the ruthless firepower unleashed by Israel in Gaza and the deplorable rockets fired by Hamas or others against Israeli people; refutes the false argument that the high-tech, high-death toll terror tactics deployed by Israel against the people of Gaza are morally superior or ethically different to the crude weapons employed by Hamas and others; and regrets the failure of the Government and the international community to unequivocally condemn the outrageous actions of Israel's government or threaten any sanction in response to escalating humanitarian transgressions, flagrant breaches of international law, continuous flouting of UN resolutions and possible war crimes.","date":"2009-01-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37394","proposer":"11420","edm":"378","session":"2008-09","title":"Gaza Strip Conflict","text":"That this House believes that war crimes have been committed as part of the conflict in the Gaza Strip; and calls on the Government to refer the conflict to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for formal investigation.","date":"2009-01-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37408","proposer":"10363","edm":"392","session":"2008-09","title":"Establishment Of Labour Friends Of Palestine And The Middle East","text":"That this House welcomes the launch of Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East to provide a voice for Labour Party members and supporters who want to see a viable and independent state of Palestine alongside Israel; acknowledges that the organisation opposes the use of violence, whether by Israel or Palestinians, and regards the excessive military force used by Israel in Gaza as grossly disproportionate and counterproductive; notes with concern that moderate Palestinian public opinion is being critically undermined by Israel's settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the confiscation of Palestinian land and the proliferation of checkpoints; presses for international laws to be upheld and the human rights and equality of Palestinians and all peoples in the region to be respected; and looks forward to working with the Government and the Labour Party to promote a just and sustainable peace settlement for Israel and Palestine.","date":"2009-01-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37409","proposer":"10133","edm":"393","session":"2008-09","title":"Al Jazeera","text":"That this House congratulates Al Jazeera on its reporting of the crisis in Gaza and being able to broadcast despite Israeli bombardment; and believes its English channel should be made available urgently on the parliamentary estate to enable all hon. Members to be better informed.","date":"2009-01-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37414","proposer":"10521","edm":"399","session":"2008-09","title":"International Sporting Boycott Of Israel","text":"That this House recalls with approval that the civilised nations of the world showed their disapproval of the apartheid policies of South Africa through the banning of that country from international sporting events, a process which helped bring about the ending of apartheid; considers that the behaviour of Israel towards the Palestinian people is equally unacceptable; and urges international sporting bodies to adopt a policy of exclusion of Israel from competitions with immediate effect.","date":"2009-01-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37415","proposer":"10521","edm":"400","session":"2008-09","title":"British Arms Sales To Israel","text":"That this House is appalled that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been licensing increasing arms sales to Israel; registers with extreme disapproval that in the first three months of 2008 Britain exported nearly \u00c2\u00a319 million worth of weapons to Israel, compared to \u00c2\u00a37.5 million in the whole of 2007; requests the Government to state the value of British arms sold to Israel from April to December 2008; further requests the Government to list the types of weapons sold to Israel; calls on the Government to halt delivery of further weapons; and urges the Government to investigate whether any of the weapons exported to Israel during 2008 have been used in the attacks on Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.","date":"2009-01-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37423","proposer":"10076","edm":"408","session":"2008-09","title":"Gaza","text":"That this House expresses outrage at Israel's overwhelmingly disproportionate use of force in Gaza which continues to inflict massive civilian casualties, particularly amongst children and which has involved strikes on aid convoys, United Nations schools and medical personnel; calls for an immediate ceasefire including the end of Israel's attacks on Gaza, the withdrawal of its troops and the cessation of rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel; further calls for the demands of the Security Council to allow the unimpeded provision and distribution throughout Gaza of humanitarian assistance, including food, fuel and medical treatment to be implemented and for the end of the long-term Israeli blockade of Gaza; further calls on the Government to initiate proceedings, with the other High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention, to require the protection of civilians in times of war and to require accountability for military action which contravenes the Convention; further calls for an arms embargo on both sides and for the remit of any international forces deployed to include protection of Palestinian civilians from blockade and attack as well as the prevention of arms supplies which threaten Israeli civilians; further calls on the European Union to demonstrate that the continued implementation of its Association Agreement with Israel is conditional on Israel's respecting human rights; demands that Israel stops blocking international journalists from entering Gaza; and calls on the international community to redouble its efforts to achieve the lasting settlement of a secure and independent state of Palestine alongside a secure and independent Israel.","date":"2009-01-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37426","proposer":"11522","edm":"411","session":"2008-09","title":"Middle East And UK Security","text":"That this House, noting that developments in Palestine can have an adverse impact upon the security situation in the United Kingdom, urges the Government to work closely with the new administration in Washington to secure a permanent two-state peace settlement.","date":"2009-01-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37385","proposer":"10133","edm":"370","session":"2008-09","title":"Israeli Settlements And Settlement Goods","text":"That this House welcomes the statement from the Prime Minister in December that `one of the blockages' to peace `is clearly the settlement issue' and his desire to `seize the opportunity we have before us to make 2009 the Middle East year of peace'; notes that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law, and is therefore concerned that British retailers may be breaking the law by selling goods from these settlements; further notes the detrimental impact that settlements have on the daily lives of Palestinians, with over 40 per cent. of West Bank land confiscated for settlement construction; also notes that Palestinians are enduring increased violence at the hands of settlers; welcomes the Government's actions on the mislabelling of settlement produce as `Produce of Israel'; and calls upon the Government to call for the dismantling of illegal settlements and to ensure that companies in the UK are not breaking the law by selling settlement goods.","date":"2008-12-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37222","proposer":"10076","edm":"224","session":"2008-09","title":"Palestinians And Peace In The Middle East","text":"That this House welcomes statements by the Government recognising that justice for the Palestinians is an essential component in achieving a lasting peace in the Middle East for both Israelis and Palestinians; further welcomes the acknowledgement by Ehud Olmert, the outgoing Israeli Prime Minister, that the decision facing Israel is something Israeli governments have refused to face with open eyes for 40 years and his recognition that a peace agreement with Palestinians depends upon Israel ending its occupation and withdrawing from Occupied Palestinian Territories including East Jerusalem; notes with alarm that since the Annapolis Conference intended to introduce a final status agreement, the number of housing units in illegal settlements in the West Bank has actually increased; believes that the wide international acknowledgement of Palestinian human, national, legal and political rights as reflected in UN resolutions, the Geneva Convention and ICJ opinion must urgently be acted upon and realised; urges the Government to ensure that the UK, EU and UN policy reflects this urgency; and also urges both the incoming US President and the next Israeli leader not to wait until the end of their terms of office to recognise their own responsibilities to achieve a just settlement in line with these principles, and in negotiation with the Palestinians, to secure an independent state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel.","date":"2008-12-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37223","proposer":"11374","edm":"225","session":"2008-09","title":"Compensation For Victims Of Libyan-Sponsored Terrorism","text":"That this House welcomes the decision of the Prime Minister to withdraw an invitation to Colonel Gaddafi to come to London for an oil summit in December 2008; and calls on the Government to refuse the Libyan leader entry into the United Kingdom until he has properly compensated those who suffered at the hands of IRA terrorism, which was sponsored by the Libyan regime in the way that US victims of Libyan-sponsored terrorism have been.","date":"2008-12-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37229","proposer":"10013","edm":"231","session":"2008-09","title":"Security Situation In Israel","text":"That this House notes with concern the deteriorating security situation in Israel's southern communities of Ashkelon, Sderot and the western Negav; condemns the firing of over 200 rockets and mortars, including long-range Katyusha rockets, from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip since 5 November 2008; recognises the toll these rocket attacks are taking on the people of Sderot in particular, two thirds of whom suffer post-traumatic stress disorder and whose lives are shaped by warning sirens and bomb shelters; acknowledges Hamas' violation of the ceasefire with Israel and its deliberate launching of rockets from populated areas into civilian territory; denounces the continued digging of tunnels in Gaza to smuggle arms, military equipment and militants into the territory to launch further attacks against Israel; further recognises the critical humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip; calls for rapid improvement in the humanitarian and economic circumstances of the Gazan people; urges Hamas to stop the rocket and mortar attacks in order that Israel can at all times keep the crossings into Gaza open; welcomes the Foreign Secretary's recent visit to Sderot, Israel and the Palestinian Territories, as well as his efforts on behalf of the Government to meet and work with those people who seek a just and peaceful resolution to the conflict; further recognises that the US-led Annapolis process has produced progress to date; and believes this represents the best opportunity to turn the two state solution into a reality.","date":"2008-12-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37151","proposer":"11427","edm":"159","session":"2008-09","title":"Sport And The Kurdistan Regional Government","text":"That this House warmly welcomes the international sports conference organised by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in collaboration with the Sports Council for Wales on 9 and 10 December 2008 at the Welsh Institute of Sport in Cardiff, with the participation of Mr Taha Barwary, the KRG Minister of Sports and Youth to discuss how to develop enduring frameworks to encourage sporting activity and excellence in devolved regions; endorses the comment of KRG High Representative to the UK, Ms Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman that `sport can bring communities together and improve people's quality of life'; and further welcomes KRG's investment in new sports facilities and infrastructure across Iraqi Kurdistan and its aim of increasing public involvement in other sports popular in the region such as football, volleyball, table tennis, taikwondo, judo and karate as well as encouraging women's participation in sport.","date":"2008-12-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"37104","proposer":"10021","edm":"112","session":"2008-09","title":"Humanitarian Crisis In Gaza","text":"That this House notes the appalling humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip, which UN officials have described as the worst crisis to have befallen the 1.5 million Palestinians of Gaza; further notes that Israel has prevented basic humanitarian supplies from entering the Gaza Strip, including some medicines, clothing for children and essential spare parts; further notes that prohibited items even include some foodstuffs; is extremely concerned that hospitals are running short of fuel supplies, and that this threatens basic health care, including babies in incubators; considers that this blockade is a form of collective punishment in fundamental breach of international law; calls upon the Government to insist on the immediate ending of the blockade of the Gaza Strip both on the Israel-Gaza and Egypt-Gaza borders; and further calls on the Government to support all efforts to bring about a permanenet ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, including a complete cessation of violence by all parties including rocket attacks on Israel and attacks on Gaza by Israeli military forces.","date":"2008-12-04","status":"o"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"36737","proposer":"10614","edm":"2356","session":"2007-08","title":"Flooding In Yemen","text":"That this House expresses grave concern over the humanitarian situation in Yemen in the wake of severe flooding in the south of the country, claiming 90 lives and displacing 20,000 people; notes the concerns of the UN World Food Programme over difficulties to get relief to remote regions because of the destruction of roads due to the flooding; and calls on the Government urgently to supply more aid to the region to help prevent further loss of life.","date":"2008-10-28","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"36727","proposer":"10133","edm":"2347","session":"2007-08","title":"Free Gaza Campaign","text":"That this House applauds the excellent work of the Free Gaza (FG) Movement in highlighting the fact that Israel is imposing collective punishment on the 1.5 million people of Gaza, in contravention of Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention; acknowledges the considerable pressure applied by the Israeli government on a FG voyage in August 2007; wishes the latest boat travelling from the port of Cyprus to Gaza carrying both a large group of concerned human rights workers, including among them Palestinian MP, Dr Mustafa Barghouti, and the Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Maguire, as well as medical practitioners and supplies, a safe voyage with no outside interference; and calls upon the Government to take action to ensure that the massive economic, political and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is brought to an end as a matter of urgency.","date":"2008-10-27","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"36707","proposer":"10785","edm":"2328","session":"2007-08","title":"Death Penalty In Nigeria And Saudi Arabia","text":"That this House welcomes the two Amnesty International reports entitled, Waiting for the Hangman and Affront to Justice; notes with concern that over 700 people are currently under sentence of death in Nigeria's prisons; is concerned to hear reports of evidence indicating Nigerians cannot rely on their criminal justice system to produce results that are either fair or accurate; further notes that executions in Saudi Arabia have risen sharply in the last two years, with a fourfold increase from 2006; further notes with concern that death sentences in Saudi Arabia are often imposed at the end of largely secret and unfair trial processes with many defendants being executed for non-violent or vaguely worded offences; and calls on both the Saudi Arabian and Nigerian governments to impose a moratorium on executions, as called for by the UN General Assembly in December 2007.","date":"2008-10-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"36711","proposer":"10383","edm":"2332","session":"2007-08","title":"International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network","text":"That this House welcomes the launch of the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN) and its founding Charter which gives voice to the great and growing number of Jewish people worldwide who refuse to allow the Israeli state to act in their name and who condemn Israel's ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people, including the murder of 64 children in 2008 alone, its apartheid laws, its expropriation of Palestinians' land and resources, its militarism and nuclear weapons, and its trade in arms (the fourth largest in the world); and notes that by speaking out IJAN discredits Israel's attempts to suppress criticism with false accusations of anti-Semitism.","date":"2008-10-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"36667","proposer":"10564","edm":"2299","session":"2007-08","title":"Access To Medical Treatment For Palestinian Children","text":"That this House expresses grave concern about the cases of Palestinian children from Gaza being unable to receive urgent life-saving medical care; notes that this is due to Israeli authorities refusing permission for the mothers or grandmothers of such children to leave Gaza to accompany them on `security grounds'; further notes the Amnesty International report of 16th October 2008 stating that six children under the age of six, one of whom was only five months old, suffering from serious heart conditions, were not able to attend surgery with a team of British heart specialists at Makassad Hospital in East Jerusalem in early October 2008 for such reasons; further notes that Gaza lacks the specialised medical staff and equipment to treat certain illnesses, including cardiovascular diseases and cancer; further expresses concern that, by not allowing a female relative to accompany these children, Israel is effectively denying them access to life-saving treatment; urgently calls on the Government to appeal to the Israeli government to allow these female relatives to accompany the children out of Gaza to receive treatment from a visiting team of Italian heart specialists in Makassad Hospital during the week of 6th November; urges the Government to further call on Israel to meet its obligations under international law to ensure that all Palestinians in occupied territory, both Gaza and the West Bank, obtain access to effective and appropriate medical treatment; and further notes that Israel's refusal to allow patients to leave Gaza for medical treatment that is not available in Gaza constitutes collective punishment.","date":"2008-10-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"36460","proposer":"11531","edm":"2113","session":"2007-08","title":"Israel And Palestinian Funds (No.2)","text":"That this House notes that the Israeli government transferred the tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority on 9th June 2008; and further notes that the transaction was delayed due to a Palestinian debt for the supply of electricity provided to the Palestinians by the State of Israel.","date":"2008-07-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"36411","proposer":"10383","edm":"2070","session":"2007-08","title":"Iran","text":"That this House refuses to support a military attack on Iran; and urges Ministers to seek the recall of Parliament during the summer adjournment if the current situation in the Middle East deteriorates and military action becomes a serious and imminent threat or takes place.","date":"2008-07-16","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"36335","proposer":"10226","edm":"2002","session":"2007-08","title":"Iraq (No.2)","text":"That this House recognises the contribution British forces have made to the stability of the region and the recent request by the Prime Minister of Iraq Nouri al-Maliki for a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign forces from his country; and calls on the Prime Minister to announce in the Statement he has promised before the Summer Recess a timetable for the complete withdrawal of British forces from Iraq.","date":"2008-07-09","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"36248","proposer":"10066","edm":"1926","session":"2007-08","title":"Freedom Of Journalists And The Media In Israel","text":"That this House condemns the actions of the Israeli security forces with regard to the Palestinian journalist and joint winner of the 2008 Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism, Mohammed Omer, who after briefing Members of Parliament on the situation in the Gaza Strip, attempted to re-enter the Occupied Territories via the Allenby Bridge and was interrogated at the crossing, strip-searched at gunpoint and beaten for four hours resulting in hospitalisation after he lost consciousness; expresses concern that harassment, intimidation and even killing of journalists has been too frequent an occurrence, particularly since the outbreak of the Intifada in 2000; calls on Israel and all other parties to uphold the freedom of journalists to report; further calls on the Israeli government to launch a full independent inquiry, to compensate Mohammed Omer in full for his injuries; and urges the Government to raise this issue with the government of Israel at the earliest opportunity.","date":"2008-07-01","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"36253","proposer":"10133","edm":"1931","session":"2007-08","title":"Freedom Of Expression In Yemen","text":"That this House notes with concern the conviction and sentencing to six years in prison of leading Yemeni journalist Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani; commends the courage and resilience of journalists and activists who continue to tackle sensitive political and human rights issues despite the harassment and risks faced in what appears to be part of a wider clampdown on freedom of expression in Yemen; and calls on the UK Government to use its influence to press the Yemeni authorities to release Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani, stop prosecuting journalists, activists and critics of the state for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression and to release all prisoners arrested solely for the non-violent expression of their opinions.","date":"2008-07-01","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"36109","proposer":"11245","edm":"1805","session":"2007-08","title":"Genocide Against The Kurdish People","text":"That this House notes that the Supreme Criminal Court of Iraq has reached its verdict on the Anfal Campaign, declaring it to be a mass killing, a genocide, against the Kurdish people; and calls on the international community to respect the Court's decision and recognise the mass killing of Kurds as genocide.","date":"2008-06-17","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"36111","proposer":"11245","edm":"1807","session":"2007-08","title":"Imperial War Museum Genocide Exhibition","text":"That this House welcomes the current exhibition by Kurdish artist Mr Osman Amed on the Anfal genocide at the Imperial War Museum; and urges the Government to recognise Saddam Hussein's killing of Kurdish people in Iraq during the period 1987 to 1988, including the Anfal campaign and the Halabja chemical attack, as an act of genocide.","date":"2008-06-17","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"36023","proposer":"10356","edm":"1737","session":"2007-08","title":"Israel And Palestinian Funds","text":"That this House notes that the Israeli government has yet again delayed the hand over of part of the tax revenues owed by them to the Palestinian Authority; further notes that these funds are used to pay more than 165,000 Palestinian workers in a situation of acute economic crisis; further notes that in withholding such funds the Israeli government is violating its commitments under international peace agreements, and is again collectively punishing hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians; therefore urges the Government to insist that the government of Israel hands over immediately the funds concerned and if Israel fails to do so within days further urges the Government to give increased opportunities to Palestinian representatives to make known their objections about Israeli actions to EU leaders; and further urges the Government to make clear to the government of Israel, that this action, together with the continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories, seriously endangers Israel's chances of upgrading its ties with the European Union.","date":"2008-06-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"35886","proposer":"10465","edm":"1608","session":"2007-08","title":"ARREST OF MEMBERS OF THE BAH\u00c3\u0081'\u00c3\u008d COMMUNITY IN IRAN","text":"That this House expresses grave alarm at the news of the arrest of six prominent Bah\u00c3\u00a1'\u00c3\u00ads in Iran on 14th May 2008; notes that Mrs Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr Jamaloddin Khanjai, Mr Afif Naeimi, Mr Saeid Rezaie, Mr Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr Vahid Tizfah are members of the informal group known as the Friends in Iran that co-ordinate the activities of the Bah\u00c3\u00a1'\u00c3\u00ad community in Iran; further notes that another member of the Friends in Iran, Mrs Mahvash Sabet, has been held in custody since 5th March 2008; registers deepest concern at the mounting threats and persecution of the Iranian Bah\u00c3\u00a1'\u00c3\u00ad community; urges the Government to seek from the Iranian government guarantees for the safety of these individuals; and calls for their immediate unconditional release.","date":"2008-05-19","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"35776","proposer":"10169","edm":"1508","session":"2007-08","title":"ISRAEL'S 60th ANNIVERSARY","text":"That this House recognises the 60th anniversary of Israel's independence; congratulates the state on reaching this important milestone and looks forward to many more anniversaries in the years to come; acknowledges that Israel is a vibrant democracy founded on the principles of liberty, justice and freedom; applauds Israel's internationally recognised achievements, including great advancements in research and development, medical science, as well as its pioneering innovation in agricultural technology, alternative energies and contributions to academia and the arts; recognises Israel's economic resourcefulness and the cultural creativity of its diverse population; respects the strong bilateral relationship and co-operation Israel enjoys with the UK; and is full of hope that, despite the many political challenges that lie ahead, Israel will find peace with its neighbours so that all in the region can look forward to a future of security and prosperity.","date":"2008-05-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"35750","proposer":"10076","edm":"1484","session":"2007-08","title":"60th Anniversary Of Palestinian Nakba","text":"That this House notes the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel; further notes that it coincides with the marking of 60 years since the Palestinian Nakba (Catastrophe); regrets that 60 years after 1948 there are still over four million UN-registered Palestinian refugees, in addition to those who were unable to register with the UN, who have yet to have their rights upheld as required by several UN resolutions and have yet to receive acknowledgment of the injustice that they suffered; further notes that there are over 250,000 internally displaced Palestinians inside Israel who have also not been allowed to return to their homes; further notes that over 530 Palestinian villages and towns were destroyed in that period and that Palestinian refugees have not been compensated for the loss of their property; and believes that achieving a just solution for Palestinian refugees is as essential a requirement for a comprehensive and durable peace in the Middle East as is full recognition and security for the State of Israel.","date":"2008-05-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"35756","proposer":"11427","edm":"1490","session":"2007-08","title":"Relations Between Turkey And The Kurdistan Regional Government","text":"That this House regrets the loss of life following recent Turkish bombardments on the border with Iraqi Kurdistan; warmly welcomes the meeting at the end of April in Baghdad between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) delegation led by Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and the delegation from the Republic of Turkey headed by Mr Ahmet Davutoglu, the senior adviser to the Turkish Prime Minister, Mr Murat \u00c3\u2013zcelik, the Special Co-ordinator for Iraqi Affairs at the Turkish Foreign Ministry and Mr Derya Kanbay, Turkey's Ambassador in Baghdad; notes that this first high-level official meeting of both sides, which focused on a wide range of political, security and economic issues between Turkey and the KRG, was conducted in a cordial and open atmosphere in which both sides stressed similar views on many issues and expressed a desire for common understanding and interests; and hopes that this meeting will enable good neighbourly relations and the resolution of common problems through co-operation, political negotiation and dialogue.","date":"2008-05-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"35735","proposer":"11817","edm":"1470","session":"2007-08","title":"Multifaith Forum Promoted By Saudi Arabia","text":"That this House notes the initiative of the King of Saudi Arabia to bring together leaders of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths to a forum; applauds the fact that the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques wishes to engage with other faiths to ensure that the many factors that bind the various religious beliefs are shared and promoted; and hopes that the forum will demonstrate to the forces of extremism that Saudi Arabia and Britain are firm friends who are united in their determination to work together for better understanding, tolerance and mutual respect.","date":"2008-05-01","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"35426","proposer":"11817","edm":"1200","session":"2007-08","title":"Conduct Of Hon. Member For Twickenham And Saudi Arabia","text":"That this House is deeply concerned by the support of the hon. Member for Twickenham for the latest investigation into BAE Systems and Saudi Arabia; believes that such behaviour does not acknowledge the fact that thousands of British jobs depend on the Al-Yamamah contract; further believes that Saudi Arabia is a vital strategic ally of the United Kingdom; and believes that the Liberal Democrats have once again shown their naivety on an issue of fundamental importance to this country.","date":"2008-03-17","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"35307","proposer":"10076","edm":"1099","session":"2007-08","title":"Gaza","text":"That this House expresses its revulsion at the mounting death toll in Gaza caused by Israeli military strikes; notes that around half of the 108 Palestinians killed in the six days between Wednesday 27th February and Monday 3rd March 2008 were civilians; also condemns the rocket and mortar attacks from Gaza which have killed one Israeli civilian in southern Israel in the last nine months and which, according to figures supplied by the British Israel Communications and Research Centre, have been responsible for the deaths of 24 Israelis since 2001; further notes that Israel's military strikes and its economic blockade of Gaza are achieving the opposite of their stated aim of deterring such rocket attacks; further notes that the strikes and blockade are causing widespread humanitarian suffering and, by collectively punishing the entire people of Gaza for the actions of those firing rockets, Israel's actions are contrary to international law; further notes the UN Security Council statement of 2nd March, and the statements from the United Kingdom Foreign Secretary and the EU Presidency dated 2nd March and 3rd March respectively; and therefore calls upon the international community to press for an immediate ceasefire in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank and adherence to international law by all parties, including requiring Israel to abide by its legal obligations as an internationally recognised state, and emphasises the United Kingdom's particular responsibility to ensure international compliance with humanitarian law as a High Contracting Party to the Fourth Geneva Convention.","date":"2008-03-03","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"35191","proposer":"10001","edm":"993","session":"2007-08","title":"Campaign For Peace In Turkey And Kurdistan","text":"That this House is concerned by the ongoing military operations that are taking place in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq; notes reports that civilian villages have been subject to air strikes by Turkish military forces; further notes the Edi Bese campaign which is calling for an end to fighting from both sides in the region; and calls on the Government to aid communication between Turkish and Kurdish authorities and help bring peace to the region.","date":"2008-02-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"35001","proposer":"10785","edm":"833","session":"2007-08","title":"Human Rights And Iran","text":"That this House welcomes the recent report from Human Rights Watch on the clampdown by the Iranian government on independent activism; condemns the Iranian government's practice of holding certain women's rights activists, union and labour activists, teachers, journalists, scholars, students and other peaceful political activists under detention without trial under the security laws set out in the Islamic Penal Code entitled Offences Against the National and International Security of the Country, especially at Section 209 of Tehran's Evin Prison; further condemns the ill-treatment of detainees under interrogation at Evin 209, including the use of blindfolding, solitary confinement, sleep deprivation, and other forms of physical and psychological abuse; further condemns the detainees' lack of access to legal counsel and lack of access to telephone calls or visits with family members; and calls upon the UK Government to press the Iranian government to bring Evin 209 under transparent supervision, to amend its security laws to define national security and breaches against it in narrow terms that do not infringe upon the right to free speech, and to allow all detainees access to legal counsel throughout the period of their detention and trial.","date":"2008-01-31","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"34894","proposer":"10133","edm":"732","session":"2007-08","title":"Humanitarian Situation In Gaza (No. 2)","text":"That this House is appalled at the continued and wholly preventable humanitarian crisis in Gaza; unreservedly condemns Israel for cutting off fuel supplies and preventing other vital supplies entering from Israel; and calls upon the Government to make all efforts to ensure that Israel lifts the siege with immediate effect.","date":"2008-01-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"34854","proposer":"10383","edm":"698","session":"2007-08","title":"Hospital Supplies In Gaza","text":"That this House notes with extreme concern the report from the Ministry of Health in Gaza that as a result of the Israeli blockade supplies of food and medical equipment are nearly exhausted in the hospitals and clinics in Gaza; and calls upon the Government to take every action possible to ensure the lifting of the blockade and the supply of food and medical equipment to Gaza.","date":"2008-01-15","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"34777","proposer":"10133","edm":"624","session":"2007-08","title":"Civilians In Gaza","text":"That this House notes the financial pledges of around \u00c2\u00a37.4 billion from 90 countries to be made to Palestine in the follow-up to the formal re-launch of the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations last month in Annapolis; notes with considerable alarm Israel's overnight extrajudicial killings of 12 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank in a series of air attacks, bringing the number of extrajudicial killing operations launched since September 2000 to at least 256, killing at least 612 Palestinians; and calls upon the Government to apply what pressure it can to ensure Israel ceases these extrajudicial killings which have become symbolic of its disregard for international law in Articles 6 and 4 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.","date":"2007-12-18","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"34716","proposer":"10383","edm":"573","session":"2007-08","title":"Kurdish Democratic Society Party","text":"That this House calls upon the Government to express in the strongest terms to the Turkish government its dismay at the targeting by the Turkish judiciary of the Human Rights Association, and at the indictment of the leaders of the Kurdish political party, the Democratic Society Party (DTP), thus overturning the wishes of the people as expressed in the general election of July 2007 and ending the DTP's parliamentary representation; and urges the Government to seek a European Union initiative to express opposition to this unwarranted interference in the democratic process, a measure which is incompatible with Turkey's aim for full membership of the European Union.","date":"2007-12-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"34656","proposer":"10177","edm":"516","session":"2007-08","title":"Iranian Opposition","text":"That this House welcomes the 30th November judgment of the Proscribed Organisations Appeals Commission (POAC) in the appeal brought by 35 hon. Members and Peers against the refusal of the Secretary of State for the Home Department to deproscribe the main democratic opposition to the Iranian regime, the People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI); commends POAC for its careful consideration over a seven day hearing of all the evidence, which consisted of more than 15 files of documents and 20 witness statements; welcomes POAC's finding that the PMOI is not involved in terrorism and that the refusal of the Secretary of State to deproscribe the PMOI was flawed, perverse and must be set aside; and urges the Government to comply with the judgment of POAC which requires the Secretary of State to lay before Parliament as soon as possible the draft of an Order under section 3(3)(b) of the Terrorism Act 2000 removing the PMOI from the list of proscribed organisations.","date":"2007-12-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"34665","proposer":"10190","edm":"525","session":"2007-08","title":"Death Penalty For Juvenile Offenders In Iran","text":"That this House deplores the flouting of clear and specific human rights obligations by Iran in the case of Makwan Mouladzadeh, aged 20; regrets that Mouladzadeh was hanged on 4th December 2007 in defiance of Ayatollah Shahrudi's order to stay the execution pending review of the case; understands that Mouladzadeh was sentenced to death for crimes allegedly committed when he was 13 years old; condemns this decision, given that all of his accusers had recanted their statements and he had repudiated his confession as being coerced by the police; notes that Iran has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, both of which treaties bar the imposition of the death penalty for offences committed under the age of 18; is dismayed that Iran executes more juvenile offenders than any other state; and urges HM Government to press the Iranian regime to fulfil its obligations under the two treaties.","date":"2007-12-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"34638","proposer":"10218","edm":"505","session":"2007-08","title":"Opinion Poll On Iran","text":"That this House congratulates the Mayor of London on his commissioning of a Mori Poll which, inter-alia, revealed that 70 per cent. of Londoners believed that the British Government's support for an American-led attack on Iran would make London less safe; notes that only 3 per cent. believed that it would make London more safe, whilst 78 per cent. of Londoners believed that the British support for such an attack on Iran would make a terrorist attack on London more likely; further notes that 75 per cent. of Londoners thought America would be wrong to take military action against Iran and that 75 per cent. would oppose British forces joining American-led military action against Iran; and therefore calls upon the Government to take careful note of these opinions, which are widely shared throughout the country.","date":"2007-12-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"34641","proposer":"11427","edm":"508","session":"2007-08","title":"Alsadig Abdallah","text":"That this House expresses its grave concern for London-based businessman Alsadig Abdallah, who is missing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where his family believes he was abducted two months ago; recognises the eagerness of the UAE authorities to emphasise the safety of Dubai for commerce and tourism; and urges them to expedite efforts to secure the immediate release of Alsadig Abdallah.","date":"2007-12-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"34583","proposer":"10327","edm":"450","session":"2007-08","title":"Bethlehem And Banksy","text":"That this House welcomes the decoration of the illegal Israeli wall strangling Bethlehem by the graffiti artist Banksy; and points out that his satirical depiction of the oppressive burdens on the inhabitants of the Holy City and the remainder of the occupied West Bank, as well as the Gaza Strip, including poverty, deprivation and mass unemployment, inflicted by harsh Israeli occupation, is a far more accurate illustration of life in the Holy Land today than the smug travel posters for Israel issued by the present Israeli government.","date":"2007-12-03","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"34536","proposer":"10564","edm":"414","session":"2007-08","title":"Detention Of Palestinian Legislators","text":"That this House notes with increasing disquiet the continuing detention without trial of many democratically elected members of the Palestinian Legislative Council by Israel including the seizures of Hatim Qafisheh on 6th November 2007 and Maryam Saleh and Khalid Tafish on 11th November 2007 and the further extension of arrest without charge of the Minister of Public Works, Abder-Rahman Zeidan on 26th November 2007; considers democracy to be the most powerful response to those who hold that there is a military solution to the conflict; further considers that the unreasonable detention of so many Palestinian legislators perpetuates and deepens the conflict by indicating to Palestinians that they have little or nothing to gain from following the political path; and calls upon the Government to demand of Israel that these legislators be released without delay.","date":"2007-11-27","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"34486","proposer":"10076","edm":"366","session":"2007-08","title":"Israeli Settlements In The Occupied Territories","text":"That this House calls for a complete freeze on all Israeli settlement activity in the Occupied Territories; welcomes the Israeli announcement to partially freeze settlement construction prior to the Annapolis meeting; however, notes that despite the transfer of Israeli civilians into the Occupied Territories being illegal under international law, the Israeli settler population in the West Bank has grown steadily by around 5.5 per cent. each year to a total of 450,000; acknowledges that this is significantly higher than the population growth rate inside Israel (1.8 per cent.); further notes that Israel has failed to take any action to dismantle the 106 outposts which it accepts are unauthorised; calls on the Government to urge Israel to immediately and permanently cease all settlement expansion in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Golan Heights, including construction for so-called natural growth and the construction of infrastructure supporting the settlements, bypass roads and the barrier, and the provision of Government subsidies and other incentives for settlers; regards with serious concern the devastating impact on the Palestinians' freedom of movement caused by the settlements which dissect the West Bank into fragmented enclaves; and considers that the settlements are a serious threat to a viable independent Palestinian state as part of a negotiated two-state solution.","date":"2007-11-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"34487","proposer":"11531","edm":"367","session":"2007-08","title":"Annapolis Conference And Middle East Peace Process","text":"That this House fully supports recent efforts being made by Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas ahead of the forthcoming conference in Annapolis; commends those taking the bold and difficult steps necessary for finding a negotiated resolution to the conflict in the Middle East; congratulates the UK Government and the international community for encouraging these positive developments and actively engaging in the process; welcomes the Foreign Secretary's recent visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories and his efforts, on behalf of the British Government, to meet and work with those people who seek a just and peaceful resolution to the conflict; and believes that Annapolis presents a great opportunity to reinvigorate the peace process, encourage future negotiations, see a return to the Road Map and lead to the creation of two states for two peoples and a viable Palestine living side by side in peace with a safe and secure Israel.","date":"2007-11-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"34471","proposer":"11607","edm":"351","session":"2007-08","title":"Former British Detainees In Saudi Arabia","text":"That this House believes that James Lee, Sandy Mitchell, Dr William Samson and Les Walker were tortured into falsely confessing to the murder of Christopher Rodway by the Saudi Arabian authorities and were wrongly convicted of the crime in 2001; notes that Amnesty International has reported that `justice cannot be done nor seen to be done' in Saudi Arabia; is concerned that the four men have struggled to find full-time employment because of their murder convictions; strongly regrets that the UK Government backed the Saudi regime in the House of Lords by arguing that its officials were protected by state immunity while simultaneously claiming that it `condemns torture in all its forms and works to eradicate it wherever it occurs'; firmly believes that the UK Government has a duty to defend its citizens when they have been mistreated by a foreign dictatorship which has such a blatant disregard for human rights; and calls upon the Government to support moves to clear the names of the four men.","date":"2007-11-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"34474","proposer":"10133","edm":"354","session":"2007-08","title":"Rape Victims In Saudi Arabia","text":"That this House is appalled that a 19 year old victim of gang rape has been sentenced to 200 lashes by Qatif General Court in Saudi Arabia; notes that her sentence was doubled because she spoke to the media; further notes that after representing her Abdulrahman Al-leikeim had his attorney's licence revoked; and therefore calls upon the Foreign Secretary to make the strongest possible representations to the Saudi Arabian Government over this grotesque abuse of women's rights.","date":"2007-11-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"34476","proposer":"10304","edm":"356","session":"2007-08","title":"Khaled Al-Mudallal And The Right To Education","text":"That this House is concerned at the situation facing Bradford University student Khaled Al-Mudallal who has been detained in Gaza since June 2007 as a result of restrictions on his movement imposed by Israeli authorities; notes that, according to Israeli human rights organisation Gisha, Mr Al-Mudallal is one of an estimated 670 students who have visas and places to study outside Gaza but have been prevented from leaving; further notes that Gisha is legally challenging the restrictions imposed by the Israeli authorities on Mr Al-Mudallal, and has pointed out `that Mr Al-Mudallal has not been able to leave Gaza, not because he has chosen not to, but because he is prevented from doing so'; recognises that Mr Al-Mudallal has a British residency permit allowing him to stay in the UK to study until 2010; believes that Mr Al-Mudallal should be allowed back to Bradford to complete his degree in business and management; and urges the Government to make representations to the Israeli government to allow Khaled's right to leave Gaza to continue his education at the University of Bradford and for the rights of all Palestinian students to access education.","date":"2007-11-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"34416","proposer":"10372","edm":"305","session":"2007-08","title":"Humanitarian Situation In Gaza","text":"That this House expresses grave concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the decision by the State of Israel to declare it a hostile entity; notes that this further isolated the 1.5 million Palestinian residents of this occupied territory, 1.1 million of whom have to survive on food handouts; further notes that shortages of medical supplies are reported by the United Nations; considers that future Israeli measures could involve cutting off crucial supplies including food, fuel, electricity and water; believes that such measures would not deter the firing of Kassam rockets but would have a devastating effect on the humanitarian situation in Gaza with a detrimental impact on public health; further believes that the continued political and economic isolation of Gaza will jeopardise the prospects for a lasting peace and for any future negotiations to be credible and successful; and therefore calls upon the UK Government to make the strongest possible representations to the Israeli government that such measures are wholly unacceptable and tantamount to collective punishment and a breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention.","date":"2007-11-19","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"34334","proposer":"10716","edm":"232","session":"2007-08","title":"Imprisonment Of Mordechai Vanunu","text":"That this House notes with concern the continued imprisonment of Mordechai Vanunu, who completed 18 years in prison in Israel in 2004 after revealing details of Israel's nuclear weapons programme; further notes that since 2004 he has been subject to severe restrictions, including a ban on international travel; condemns the decision by the Israeli government to sentence Mr Vanunu to a new term of six months in prison for speaking to foreign nationals; further notes that he has been adopted by Amnesty International as a prisoner of conscience and was recently nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize; and calls upon the Government to put necessary diplomatic pressure on the Israeli government to lift all restrictions on Mordechai Vanunu and allow him the freedom to travel.","date":"2007-11-13","status":"c"},{"topic":"Middle East","id":"34204","proposer":"11312","edm":"114","session":"2007-08","title":"Palestinian Olive Groves","text":"That this House notes that olive groves are an important part of the Palestinian economy; further notes that the separation wall currently being constructed by Israel separates many Palestinian farmers from their olive groves and that the United Nations has stated that one million trees will be inaccessible or access restricted behind the barrier once the route is completed; recognises that economic progress is vital for peace; and calls upon the Government to make strong representations to the government of Israel to allow Palestinian farmers full access to their olive groves.","date":"2007-11-07","status":"c"}]