Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 04 Feb 2020
Oral Answers to Questions
"What discussions have the Government had with the Australian Government about the link between the bushfires and climate change to make sure that the Australian Government get serious about tackling carbon emissions in their country?..."Jeff Smith - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 04 Feb 2020
Oral Answers to Questions
"With the rights of indigenous peoples in danger around the world—particularly from the Bolsonaro Government in Brazil—does the Minister agree that the rights of indigenous peoples should be embedded in the proposed international treaty on human rights and transnational corporations?..."Jeff Smith - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 15 Oct 2019
Turkish Incursion into Northern Syria
"I met a group of Kurdish constituents on Friday, and they were dismayed at what had happened. They were disappointed by what they saw as a weak response from the international community, and they were firmly of the view that the UK had a special responsibility to help to resolve …..."Jeff Smith - View Speech
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Written Question
Tuesday 23rd April 2019
Asked by:
Jeff Smith (Labour - Manchester Withington)
Question
to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2019 to Question HL13129, what the nature of the support provided to independent oversight bodies in Bahrain is.
Answered by Mark Field
The United Kingdom has been working with Bahrain’s independent human rights oversight bodies since their creation following recommendations from the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry in 2012. Our work has supported the building of effective institutions in order to carry out their set mandates. While these bodies still have more to do, they have already demonstrated their abilities including through the prosecution of over 80 police officers accused of human rights abuses.
Written Question
Friday 12th April 2019
Asked by:
Jeff Smith (Labour - Manchester Withington)
Question
to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government has taken in response to the Burundi Government’s recent decision to withdraw the BBC’s Operating Licence for that country, and if his Department will make representations to protest against the decision.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
- Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
Freedom of the media is an essential quality of any functioning democracy. People must be allowed to discuss and debate issues freely, to challenge their governments, and to make considered decisions, informed by a strong and robust media. We therefore condemn the decision made by the Government of Burundi to revoke the BBC's operating license, particularly in light of the 2020 elections for which a free and independent media is vital. We strongly support the BBC's mission to bring high quality and impartial news to global audiences, including where free speech is limited. The Foreign Secretary has tweeted his disappointment and has urged the Government to reverse this decision. The UK Ambassador to Burundi and the UK Special Envoy to the Great Lakes are making representations to senior counterparts.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 26 Feb 2019
Oral Answers to Questions
"T8. Family members of the London-based human rights defender Sayed Alwadaei had their sentences upheld yesterday in Bahrain in what the UN has described as a reprisal case, one that has been condemned by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Will the Government call for their release?..."Jeff Smith - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 22 Jan 2019
Oral Answers to Questions
"7. What recent diplomatic steps he has taken to secure a resolution to the conflict in Syria. ..."Jeff Smith - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 22 Jan 2019
Oral Answers to Questions
"Given the sensitivity at the Syria-Turkey border, what specific steps can we take to keep the US engaged in diplomatic solutions, if it is going to withdraw troops, and, crucially, to keep Turkey engaged in finding a diplomatic solution that does not involve attacking the Kurdish forces?..."Jeff Smith - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 30 Oct 2018
Oral Answers to Questions
"T2. I am sure that most of us will have viewed the outcome of the Brazilian presidential election with some alarm in terms of the implications for human rights and the rule of law. How are the Government going to approach their future relationship with the Bolsonaro Administration?..."Jeff Smith - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 04 Sep 2018
Oral Answers to Questions
"There are reports this afternoon that Russian war planes have resumed bombing in Idlib province. What can we do to help Staffan de Mistura’s plan to create a humanitarian corridor to prevent more civilian tragedy in Syria?..."Jeff Smith - View Speech
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