Contributions
1,361 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDRape as a Weapon of War in UkraineI assure the hon. Member that the UK is one of the largest donors not only of humanitarian aid—we have recently pledged £220 million—but of humanitarian teams. An emergency…31 Mar 2022HANSARDRape as a Weapon of War in UkraineI thank the hon. Member for her deep concern for women in war. It is the most vulnerable who suffer the most, and that is very often women. We have also heard reports of forcibly…31 Mar 2022HANSARDRape as a Weapon of War in UkraineThe hon. Gentleman is entirely right. I also think that this Chamber is sometimes a very powerful place from which to send messages, so let me send this message again. Rape and…31 Mar 2022HANSARDRape as a Weapon of War in UkraineOn the issue of visas, there is about to be an urgent question on that subject. It is important to have proper processes for visas and for those who have offered homes to…31 Mar 2022HANSARDRape as a Weapon of War in UkraineOn 24 February, Russia launched a premeditated and wholly unprovoked invasion into Ukraine. Since then, we have been horrified by reports of rape and sexual violence committed by…31 Mar 2022HANSARDRape as a Weapon of War in UkraineI thank my hon. Friend for this question, and for pointing out the incredible importance of our work on preventing sexual violence in conflict. Indeed, the UK is a world leader on…31 Mar 2022HANSARDRape as a Weapon of War in UkraineI thank the hon. Member for his support for women and girls. I, too, read the truly harrowing story of Natalya in the papers. It was so brave of her to come forward and tell the…31 Mar 2022HANSARDRape as a Weapon of War in UkraineMy hon. Friend asks, “Is Putin a war criminal?” There is very strong evidence that war crimes have been committed by the Russian armed forces in Ukraine. It will be for the ICC…31 Mar 2022HANSARDRape as a Weapon of War in UkraineI thank the hon. Gentleman for his care and concern on this really dreadful issue. His last point was about the risk of people trafficking and other safeguarding issues and that…31 Mar 2022HANSARDRape as a Weapon of War in UkraineI completely agree with my hon. and gallant Friend. Furthermore, he used exactly the right word to describe the Ukrainian people: formidable. I would add brave, caring and just…31 Mar 2022HANSARDRape as a Weapon of War in UkraineWe are working through the ICC, because we believe that that is the best way to take people to court for war crimes. Setting up a new body could take many years. We have seen from…31 Mar 2022HANSARDRape as a Weapon of War in UkraineWe are implementing the strongest set of economic sanctions ever imposed to debilitate the Russian economy and degrade funding for Putin’s war machine, because this war has to…31 Mar 2022HANSARDRape as a Weapon of War in UkraineThe tragedy is that, as the hon. Member will know, getting support into Ukraine itself can be particularly challenging at this time, especially in the most affected areas, but we…31 Mar 2022HANSARDRape as a Weapon of War in UkraineMay I use this opportunity to thank Amnesty International, including the branch in my constituency of Chelmsford, which does a fantastic amount of work to raise concerns about…31 Mar 2022HANSARDRape as a Weapon of War in UkraineThese are really important issues, and I completely agree with the right hon. Lady about how important it is to highlight them, especially the issue of safeguarding. That is why I…31 Mar 2022HANSARDRape as a Weapon of War in UkraineThe hon. Member is absolutely right that it is vital that we hold people to account. That is why it is essential that the ICC can carry out its investigation, and it is why the UK…31 Mar 2022HANSARDBritish and Overseas Judges: Hong KongI thank my right hon. Friend for calling us all together on this very important issue and for inviting me to update colleagues by way of an intervention on the decision that has…30 Mar 2022HANSARDBritish and Overseas Judges: Hong KongIt is an absolute pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Rees. I thank the many colleagues who have taken part in this debate, which has been slightly unusual. I start by…30 Mar 2022HANSARDBritish and Overseas Judges: Hong KongI thank the hon. Member for his intervention. It is for UK and foreign retired judges to make their own decisions about whether to remain sitting. However, it is important to…30 Mar 2022HANSARDBritish and Overseas Judges: Hong KongI thank my right hon. Friend for that intervention. I will certainly take that away. I noted his point regarding the Health and Care Bill, and I know that no one in this House…30 Mar 2022