Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 10 Feb 2020
Taiwan
"My Lords, Taiwan is a democracy, and yet it is being denied recognition by many Governments across the world. We now have a situation, as has been pointed out, where the World Health Organization, which prides itself on promoting inclusive health for all humanity, has excluded Taiwan from its membership …..."Lord Dholakia - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 29 Jan 2020
Rohingya Muslims
"My Lords, some of us had the privilege to attend the Holocaust Memorial Day event at Methodist Central Hall in Westminster. It was a moving occasion, and the organisers should be congratulated on including in the programme the Rohingya community and the worst atrocities they have suffered in recent times. …..."Lord Dholakia - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 20 Jan 2020
China: Uighurs
"My Lords, the Minister rightly points out that over 1 million Uighurs have gone through the indoctrination process to be converted into obedient Chinese communist workers. Is he aware that this is brainwashing on an industrial scale? Is it not time that he contacted the United Nations to see whether …..."Lord Dholakia - View Speech
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Written Question
Tuesday 5th November 2019
Asked by:
Lord Dholakia (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question
to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the treatment of religious minority communities in Yemen; what information they have about the appeal against a death sentence in the case of Hamid bin Haydara; and whether they will release that information.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We stressed our concerns about Mr bin Haydara’s case with the Houthis directly on 6 October. We strongly condemn Mr bin Haydara's death sentence and the continued persecution of Baha'is in Yemen for their religious beliefs. We continue to follow the treatment of the Baha’is in Yemen closely, including through meeting their representatives in the UK and lobbying the relevant authorities. We continue to call on the parties to the conflict to respect the human rights of all Yemenis.
Written Question
Tuesday 5th November 2019
Asked by:
Lord Dholakia (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question
to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of the repression of members of the Bahá'í community in north Yemen; and what representations they have made to representatives of the Houthis about freedom of religion or belief in those areas under their de facto governance.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The UK strongly condemns the mistreatment of Baha’is who are being persecuted for their religious beliefs in areas under the control of the Houthis. We are working closely with our partners to raise these concerns directly with the Houthi authorities and urge the release of detained individuals. We continue to call on the parties to the conflict for the human rights of all Yemenis to be respected.
I raised the religious persecution of the Baha’i community in my statement of 22 October on human rights. We continue to follow the treatment of the Baha’is in Yemen closely, including through meeting their representatives in the UK and lobbying the relevant authorities.
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 25 Jul 2019
China: Organ Harvesting
"My Lords, is the Minister aware that government departments often make use of in-country reports, particularly on matters relating to immigration and asylum? Now that the tribunal’s report is available, will the Minister ensure that it is put on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website so that people travelling to …..."Lord Dholakia - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 09 May 2019
Sri Lanka: UNHCR Refugees
"My Lords, I thank the Minister for repeating this Answer. The world looked in horror when we heard about the massacre of more than 250 people, worshippers and tourists, in Sri Lanka on that fateful Easter day. We have all condemned such attacks, and it is right that Sri Lanka …..."Lord Dholakia - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 04 Apr 2019
China: Religious Freedom
"My Lords, I declare an interest as a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the abolition of capital punishment. There is evidence that a significant proportion of human organs were removed from executed prisoners. China’s use of the penalty is subject to great concern because there is no transparency …..."Lord Dholakia - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 11 Feb 2019
China: Uighur Muslims
"My Lords, the noble Lord is right to raise his concerns about the abuse of human rights of the Uighur community in Xinjiang province. Today, Turkey has made a formal protest to the United Nations, asking it to investigate what is going on in that part of the world. Have …..."Lord Dholakia - View Speech
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Written Question
Wednesday 23rd January 2019
Asked by:
Lord Dholakia (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question
to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any risks to regional peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
In his 2 January speech, Chinese leader Xi Jinping urged Taiwan to accept reunification with China, restating China’s long-held position that it can use all necessary measures, including force, to secure this aim. We oppose any action which raises tensions in the region and hinders the chances of peaceful settlement of any issues. In line with our longstanding position on Taiwan we encourage Taiwan and China to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve this issue, taking into account the views of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.