Contributions
834 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Uyghur Slave Labour: XinjiangWe do make this absolutely clear; in fact, the Foreign Secretary has made it clear that the UN Commissioner for Human Rights or another independent fact-finding body must be given…16 Dec 2020HANSARD Uyghur Slave Labour: XinjiangI thank my hon. Friend for her question and for her continued work in this area. I agree that it is absolutely vital that China understands the breadth of international concern…16 Dec 2020HANSARDHong Kong: Sentencing of Pro-democracy ActivistsMy hon. Friend is right to raise that. People are entitled to apply for asylum—that is, if they are outside their country and they fear that they could be in danger if they return.07 Dec 2020HANSARDHong Kong: Sentencing of Pro-democracy ActivistsI thank the hon. Lady for her point, but, as I have said previously in this session, our strategy is demonstrated by our action. We have taken both practical and diplomatic action…07 Dec 2020HANSARDHong Kong: Sentencing of Pro-democracy ActivistsMy hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise this point. I agree that the assault on Hong Kong’s autonomy, rights and freedoms tarnishes China’s international reputation. The…07 Dec 2020HANSARDHong Kong: Sentencing of Pro-democracy ActivistsMy hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise that. We consistently raise our concerns with the Chinese authorities, and the Hong Kong authorities as well. As I referred to earlier,…07 Dec 2020HANSARDHong Kong: Sentencing of Pro-democracy ActivistsAs I said in a previous answer, China does not recognise dual citizenship. Therefore, gaining access to provide consular assistance to BNOs is nigh-on impossible.07 Dec 2020HANSARDHong Kong: Sentencing of Pro-democracy ActivistsThe hon. Gentleman is right. We are deeply concerned about the situation this morning with the students in Hong Kong. The FCDO was carefully considering further designations under…07 Dec 2020HANSARDHong Kong: Sentencing of Pro-democracy ActivistsIt is absolutely right that my hon. Friend raises that. From July 2020, BNO citizens and their dependants have been eligible to be granted six months’ leave outside the rules at…07 Dec 2020HANSARDHong Kong: Sentencing of Pro-democracy ActivistsWe are deeply concerned by recent developments in Hong Kong. As the Foreign Secretary made clear in the most recent six-monthly report on Hong Kong, this has been and continues to…07 Dec 2020HANSARDHong Kong: Sentencing of Pro-democracy ActivistsI thank the hon. Gentleman for bringing this question to the House. I know that it is a subject that we discuss on a regular basis, but it is only right that we do so, given our…07 Dec 2020HANSARDHong Kong: Sentencing of Pro-democracy ActivistsMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. We made a historic commitment to the people of Hong Kong to protect their autonomy, rights and freedoms. We have highlighted China’s breaches…07 Dec 2020HANSARDHong Kong: Sentencing of Pro-democracy ActivistsWe are building, and have built, that international coalition with 38 other countries, and that is why the statement has been made at the UN. My hon. Friend refers to sanctions. I…07 Dec 2020HANSARDHong Kong: Sentencing of Pro-democracy ActivistsI thank my right hon. Friend for his continued commitment to this issue. He speaks very powerfully, obviously, but as I have just set out, and as the Foreign Secretary has made…07 Dec 2020HANSARDHong Kong: Sentencing of Pro-democracy ActivistsI thank the hon. Lady for her questions. She mentioned Jimmy Lai; we are of course deeply concerned about the Hong Kong authorities’ apparent focus on pursuing legal cases against…07 Dec 2020HANSARDHong Kong: Sentencing of Pro-democracy ActivistsAbsolutely. I thank my right hon. Friend for the leadership he has shown in this policy area. We can demonstrate that we are taking both practical and diplomatic actions with…07 Dec 2020HANSARDHong Kong: Sentencing of Pro-democracy ActivistsI thank the hon. Lady for visiting the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office last week to discuss this issue. That offer has been made available to other parties and is…07 Dec 2020HANSARDHong Kong: Sentencing of Pro-democracy ActivistsWe regularly raise our concerns directly with the Hong Kong authorities in this regard. We are very concerned about the arrest of Jimmy Lai and others. Normally, we do not provide…07 Dec 2020HANSARDHong Kong: Sentencing of Pro-democracy ActivistsThe hon. Lady makes a very good point, one I think I answered earlier in response to the hon. Member for Stirling (Alyn Smith), who asked this urgent question. It would seem…07 Dec 2020HANSARDHong Kong: Sentencing of Pro-democracy ActivistsThere were quite a few questions there. Perhaps my hon. Friend would like to apply for a Westminster Hall debate or some such; given his expertise in this area, that is probably…07 Dec 2020