Written Question
Tuesday 19th January 2021
Asked by:
Steve Double (Conservative - St Austell and Newquay)
Question
to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to his counterpart in Nigeria on the continuing intimidation of (a) the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Matthew Kukah who is falsely accused of insulting Islam, (b) former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore who was assaulted, detained and faces excessive charges and (c) other civil society actors expressing legitimate dissent.
Answered by James Duddridge
We are concerned by reports of continuing intimidation of the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, and the detention of journalist and opposition leader Omoyele Sowore. The Government makes clear to the Nigerian authorities at the highest levels the importance of recognising and respecting citizens' rights to peaceful protest. We continue to push the Nigerian police to uphold human rights and Nigeria's rule of law in all operations, investigate any incidents of brutality, and hold those responsible to account. The British High Commissioner raises our concerns about intimidation of civil society groups and peaceful activists when she meets with the Government of Nigeria.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 12 Nov 2020
Hong Kong
"Just last year I had the privilege of meeting, here in Parliament, one of the legislators who has now been disqualified, and we had extensive discussions about the rights of British national overseas passports. It is now clear that our very generous offer to BNO passport holders is a critical …..."Steve Double - View Speech
View all Steve Double (Con - St Austell and Newquay) contributions to the debate on: Hong Kong
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 01 Jul 2020
Hong Kong National Security Legislation
"I welcome the Foreign Secretary’s statement and thank him and the Home Secretary for their action on BNOs. The action by the Chinese Government has been roundly condemned. Does the Foreign Secretary share my view that this is the time for all countries committed to peace, freedom and democracy to …..."Steve Double - View Speech
View all Steve Double (Con - St Austell and Newquay) contributions to the debate on: Hong Kong National Security Legislation
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 02 Jun 2020
Hong Kong National Security Legislation: UK Response
"I thank my right hon. Friend and also the Home Secretary for the steps they are taking to support the BNO passport holders. China has an appalling track record when it comes to the rights of Christians and other faith groups, and there is growing concern among Church leaders in …..."Steve Double - View Speech
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Written Question
Thursday 27th February 2020
Asked by:
Steve Double (Conservative - St Austell and Newquay)
Question
to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) the UK's and (b) China's obligations under the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong are fulfilled; when he plans to publish the six month report on compliance with those obligations between July 2019 and December 2019; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Nigel Adams
The UK takes its commitments as a co-signatory of the Joint Declaration seriously and supports their implementation through the 'One Country, Two Systems' framework.
The Prime Minister wrote to President Xi Jinping on 30 September and underlined the importance of upholding the Joint Declaration.
The Foreign Secretary has set out his concerns about developments in Hong Kong directly to both the Hong Kong Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, and to the Chinese Foreign Minister, State Councillor Wang Yi. Senior officials are in frequent contact with their counterparts in Hong Kong, Beijing and London. The Foreign Secretary summoned the Chinese Ambassador on 19 November.
The leadership in China and Hong Kong is in no doubt about the strength of UK concern over the current situation, and our commitment to seeing the rights and freedoms provided for in the Joint Declaration upheld.
The Six Monthly Report to Parliament on Hong Kong, covering the period of June-December, will be published in the Spring in line with usual practice.
In the Foreword to the previous report, the Foreign Secretary has stressed that Hong Kong now needs to look ahead to the path towards de-escalation and political resolution; protester violence must stop; the police response should be proportionate; and there should be a meaningful political dialogue between all parties.
We continue to believe that these are the best ways to protect the rights and freedoms set out in Hong Kong's Basic Law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 04 Feb 2020
Oral Answers to Questions
"T9. With regard to Hong Kong BNO—British National (Overseas)—passport holders, can the Secretary of State say whether the Government consider them to be British or Chinese nationals? If it is British, what more can we do to enable them to access consular support in the place they live?..."Steve Double - View Speech
View all Steve Double (Con - St Austell and Newquay) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 30 Jan 2020
Middle East Peace Plan
"Will the Minister join me in condemning antisemitism in all its forms, both here in the UK and around the world, particularly when it is veiled in the cloak of anti-Zionism?..."Steve Double - View Speech
View all Steve Double (Con - St Austell and Newquay) contributions to the debate on: Middle East Peace Plan
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 29 Jan 2020
British Overseas Passport Holders in Hong Kong
"I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this important debate. As he may be aware, in the last Parliament I presented a petition signed by several hundred BNO passport holders from Hong Kong calling for a review of their rights under the BNO scheme and for them to be granted …..."Steve Double - View Speech
View all Steve Double (Con - St Austell and Newquay) contributions to the debate on: British Overseas Passport Holders in Hong Kong
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 26 Sep 2019
Hong Kong
"I was going to ask the Foreign Secretary about the position of BNO passport holders, but he has already answered many questions on that. I just want to add my support to doing all we can for them. What assessment has he made of the treatment of religious minorities in …..."Steve Double - View Speech
View all Steve Double (Con - St Austell and Newquay) contributions to the debate on: Hong Kong
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 18 Jul 2019
Persecution of Christians Overseas
"It is an honour to take part in this important debate, and particularly to follow the hon. Member for West Ham (Lyn Brown). I am sure none of us have been anything but moved by the accounts we have heard.
I pay tribute to the Bishop of Truro for his …..."Steve Double - View Speech
View all Steve Double (Con - St Austell and Newquay) contributions to the debate on: Persecution of Christians Overseas