Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 18 Jun 2019
Hong Kong
"The Minister has quite rightly set out the framework of rights that underpins the one country, two systems approach. Clearly, the reality on the ground is that democratic freedoms have been eroded, as of course has the right to privacy, with increasing covert surveillance. What practical steps can the Minister …..."Nick Thomas-Symonds - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 18 Jun 2019
Colombia Peace Process
"I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this debate, and commend her campaigning on this issue over many years. Does she agree that there is a real concern at the moment, as we read and hear about the killing of community leaders in rural areas? This must stop, and peace …..."Nick Thomas-Symonds - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 09 May 2019
Refugees in Sri Lanka
"As my hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden (Siobhain McDonagh) has said, these refugee communities belong to religious minorities. Will the Minister make it clear to his Sri Lankan counterpart that there can be no question of their returning to Pakistan, Afghanistan or Iran, where they will inevitably …..."Nick Thomas-Symonds - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 07 Jan 2019
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe
"These events have been very traumatic for Nazanin’s family, and not least for her sister-in-law, who lives in my constituency. Can the Minister confirm that the ongoing inhuman treatment of Nazanin is doing great damage to Iran’s reputation on the international stage, and that that point will be made directly …..."Nick Thomas-Symonds - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 19 Dec 2018
Yemen
"The use of child soldiers and the deliberate targeting of civilians are just two examples of the types of atrocities we have seen in this terrible war. While I very much appreciate the wording of the draft resolution on those responsible being held to account, will the Foreign Secretary set …..."Nick Thomas-Symonds - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 27 Nov 2018
Ukraine-Russia Relations
"More than two years have elapsed since Ukraine referred the issue of access to the sea of Azov to the International Court of Arbitration at The Hague. Why does the Minister think that the process has taken so long, and what can he do to try to speed that up …..."Nick Thomas-Symonds - View Speech
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Written Question
Tuesday 30th October 2018
Asked by:
Nick Thomas-Symonds (Labour - Torfaen)
Question
to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
What recent assessment he has made of the political and security situation in Myanmar.
Answered by Mark Field
The Foreign Secretary visited Burma in September, including Rakhine. The situation is grave. He met Aung San Suu Kyi and told her clear accountability for those responsible for atrocities was critical. The UK initiated the EU’s new sanctions on seven military commanders and a strengthened arms embargo. The Foreign Secretary told the Foreign Affairs Council we would likely need to take further action in response to the UN Fact Finding Mission report. We are now discussing options for further EU sanctions with member states, including whether to sanction the Commander-in-Chief and his Deputy.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 30 Oct 2018
Oral Answers to Questions
"The independent international fact-finding mission has recently spoken of the “enduring catastrophe” in Myanmar. Has not the time come to put forward a UN resolution referring this to the ICC and bringing public pressure to bear, to try to prevent it from being vetoed?..."Nick Thomas-Symonds - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 11 Sep 2018
Bahrain
"I am grateful for the way in which my hon. Friend is pursuing the argument. Does he share my concern that, after an apparent moratorium on the death penalty since 2010, Bahrain went ahead and executed three people last year? Is that not a matter of deep concern, along with …..."Nick Thomas-Symonds - View Speech
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Written Question
Tuesday 11th September 2018
Asked by:
Nick Thomas-Symonds (Labour - Torfaen)
Question
to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of the avenues available to bring the perpetrators of crimes against the Rohingya under international law to justice.
Answered by Mark Field
The British Government condemns the atrocities in Rakhine and is committed to working with international partners to bring those responsible to justice. The UK convened a meeting of the UN Security Council on 28 August chaired by the Minister for the Commonwealth and the United Nations to ensure the Council remains focused on the Rohingya crisis, including the need for accountability. When the Security Council considers the final UN Fact-Finding Mission report, we will have the opportunity to discuss all options to ensure accountability. On 6 September 2018, the Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) ruled that courtholders jurisdiction over the deportation of the Rohingya population from Burma to Bangladesh. The UK fully supports the court in its efforts to bring the perpetrators of human rights violations to justice.