Human Rights

Fiona Bruce speaking out against forced organ harvesting following Parliamentary film launch -  http://www.ntdtv.com/xtr/gb/2016/09/09/a1285472.html

Fiona Bruce MP

April 29, 2016

Human rights must be at the heart of foreign policy

Fiona Bruce MP

April 29, 2016

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”, states the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This mantra must be at the heart of foreign policy, not only in diplomacy but in development too. While all are born equal, not all have equal opportunities, and we must do all we can to make equality of “dignity and rights” a reality, and work hardest for those who are most vulnerable.

Save the Children’s new report, Every Last Child, is a reminder that this is a significant task. While the progress made since the establishment of the Millennium Development Goals in 2000 has been enormous, millions are not seeing the benefits because they are discriminated against. Children with disabilities are up to four times more likely to experience physical and sexual violence than their able-bodied peers. Indigenous groups make up 5% of the global population but 15% of those living in poverty. Four hundred million children from minority ethnic and religious groups are being discriminated against worldwide.

Discrimination is a major cause of poverty, and a childhood of exclusion can be the difference between a lifetime of prosperity or destitution. However, it is not addressed as a cause of poverty. This is a hurdle in thinking that we need to overcome; we now need to be bold about making aid challenge injustice.

Our aid budget saves lives, but it must also combat exclusion. In the era of the Sustainable Development Goals, and the “leaving no-one behind” promise, international development must put the hardest to reach first. Save the Children’s report launches a three year campaign aiming to do just this. One of their key recommendations is to make sure that aid spending is focussed on the children who are forgotten about because of who they are, where they are from or what they believe.

To focus aid in this way, we need the right data. We need to know who the most vulnerable children are, where they live, what they need – and we need proof that aid is reaching them. We also need to bolster civil society and work with partner governments to ensure that excluded children and their communities are represented, and able to hold their governments to account. And we need to reform tax systems to ensure that developing countries can invest in the public services that level the playing field and ensure every child has access to healthcare and learning.

The development sector must change, at donor, agency and recipient level, to fight for human rights, rather than regarding it as a subsidiary issue. We cannot stand by while discrimination holds people back from the progress of development, and I’m pleased that Save the Children’s new campaign takes up this challenge, and look forward to supporting it over the next three years.

Fiona Bruce MP is a member of the House of Commons International Development Select Committee

Burma

We, democratically elected representatives from many countries and others who support Myanmar at this critically important time, write this appeal to all those involved.

We call firstly for a free and fair election on 8th November, insofar as the current, unreformed constitution permits. A quarter of the members of the new Parliament will still be serving military officers, appointed by the Commander in Chief of the army. This means that amending the constitution is impossible without the consent of the military, since amendments must be approved by three quarters of the Parliament. Nevertheless we welcome the promise of the Myanmar authorities that the seats up for election will be contested fairly, and that the results will be respected.

Secondly, we call for an inclusive election process. Many people have been deprived of their lawful right to vote by reason of ethnicity or religion. This is contrary to the principles of democracy.
Thirdly, we call for tolerance. We are alarmed at the role played in the campaign by the "race and religion" laws, drafted by the Government and adopted by the Parliament. These new laws discriminate against women, place Myanmar in breach of its international obligations, and threaten to worsen the already perilous relationships between faith communities. We call for an election that allows all voices to be heard in a spirit of mutual respect, and expect the Government of Myanmar to honour the separation of religion from politics enshrined in the 2008 Constitution.

We welcome the decision of the Myanmar authorities to invite both domestic and international observers to monitor the election.

We urge the international community to monitor not only the election but also the transition that will follow. The success of the elections can only be judged when it is clear that the will of the people has been respected in the shape of any new government and president.


This is a moment of extraordinary importance for Myanmar. If the current regime respects the wishes of the people on election day and throughout the transition, it will fulfill the promises it has made in recent years.


The following have signed the letter:

David Alton, Lord Alton, United Kingdom
Lalia Ali, Former First Lady, Maldives
John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, United Kingdom
Kjell Magne Bondevik, Former Prime Minister, Norway
Fiona Bruce MP, United Kingdom
Olivier Chastel, Chairman of the Mouvement Reformateur, Belgium
Caroline Cox, Baroness Cox, United Kingdom
Nirj Deva MEP, European Parliament
Denis Ducarme MP, Belgium
Ola Elvestuen MP, Norway
Laurie Ferguson MP, Australia
John Glenn MP, United Kingdom
Kirsty Sword Gusmao, former First Lady of Timor-Leste
Roger Haddad MP, Sweden
Glenys Kinnock, Baroness Kinnock, United Kingdom
Jeremy Lefroy MP, United Kingdom
Hans Linde MP, Sweden
Michel Louis MEP, European Parliament
Jose Ramos Horta, Former Head of State, Timor-Leste
Frederique Ries MEP, European Parliament
Kjell Ingolf Ropstad MP, Norway
Philip Ruddock MP, Australia
Paul Scully MP, United Kingdom
Ahmed Shaheed, Former Foreign Minister of the Maldives
Trine Skei Grande MP, Norway
Bard Vegard Solhjell MP, Norway
Gunnar Stalsett, Bishop Emeritus, Hon President of Religions for Peace, Norway
Charles Tannock MEP, European Parliament
Valerie Vaz MP, United Kingdom

Yenny Wahid, National Awakening Party, Indonesia


MP LEADS URGENT HOUSE OF COMMONS DEBATE ON CHINESE HUMAN RIGHTS

Fiona Bruce MP, Chair of the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission, has today tabled the following Urgent Question to the Government in the House of Commons, which has been accepted by the Speaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on China, following reports that human rights lawyer Zhang Kai imminently faces a severe prison sentence or the death penalty, for defending civil liberties.

Fiona Bruce MP will tell the House that ‘Zhang Kai’s case is significance not only in itself, but because he is one of almost 300 lawyers and human rights defenders detained since 10 July’ in China. Whilst many have been released, at least 20 are still in custody or have ‘disappeared’, their whereabouts unknown.

In light of the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Fiona Bruce will also challenge the Government that ‘Given the announcement yesterday of billions of pounds of investment from China in the UK, and British trade and investment in China, is it not vital that we ensure that human rights and the rule of law are promoted and protected in China? Not only is this important for the people of China, and therefore a moral imperative, but it is also surely in our own national interest.’

Fiona Bruce MP will say that she recognises the significance of the business relationship and dialogue with China, but hopes that human rights and the rule of law will be at the centre of this relationship. She will also invite other Member to raise further concerns on China’s human rights record.

The Urgent Question is expected to be called by the Speaker at 10:30

BBC 10 O'Clock News report (Thursday 22nd October) on Chinese human rights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfP934OYFbE 

China (Human Rights) - Urgent Question Thursday 22nd October 2015

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm151022/debtext/151022-0001.htm#15102229000002 

Modern Day Slavery

International Parliamentary Coalition for Victims of Sexual Slavery
Statement

December 29, 2015

STATEMENT ON THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC
OF KOREA AND JAPAN ON “COMFORT WOMEN”

"We, the International Parliamentary Coalition for Victims of Sexual Slavery (IPCVSS),
are pleased about the recent advancement between the Government of the Republic of Korea and
the Government of Japan on the issue of ‘comfort women’.

“The agreement announced on Monday, December 28th, marked an important milestone
with an apology from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the establishment of a foundation for the
purpose of providing support for the surviving ‘comfort women’ through a one-time contribution
from the Japanese Government.

“We encourage Japan to implement the measures outlined in the agreement immediately
to restore the honour and dignity of the ‘comfort women’ who were victimized as sexual slaves
by the Japanese military during their military expansion in Asia (from the 1930s to the end of
WWII).

"However, in order to ensure that the 'comfort women' issue does not become sidelined in
the annals of history and to prevent such atrocities from being perpetrated by another regime, we
urge that this issue be appropriately and accurately integrated in Japanese textbooks and
educational materials. Furthermore, memorials established in remembrance of the young girls
and women who were sexually enslaved during WWII must be respected.

“This agreement is a step in the right direction. Only a complete and comprehensive
resolution of the Japanese military’s 'comfort women' issue will fully honour these women and
serve as a model for addressing the issue of girls’ and women’s wartime human rights for future
generations.

“IPCVSS shares the view that restoration of honour and dignity of victims is mandatory.
In the spirit of cooperation and for our future generations, we commit to building an international
community free from sexual violence in all its forms.”

The IPCVSS is a coalition of parliamentarians from around the world whose mandate is to raise
the awareness of the international community to the issue of modern day slavery, the
infringement of human rights and the sexual violence against all persons in conflict zones and

affected regions of natural disasters both historically and currently.




Article by Fiona Bruce July 2015

Modern Slavery Act

Modern slavery is an appaling crime that has no place in today's society. Tackling human trafficking in all its forms is vital to bringing this abhorrent exploitation of human beings to an end.

The introduction of the Modern Slavery Act - the first of its kind in Europe - reflects the UK Government's determination to lead the global fight against this evil. The Act demonstrates that the Government will not tolerate slavery or human trafficking within, or into, the UK.

The legislation of the Act gives law enforcers the powers they need to successfully prosecute those involved in propagating human trafficking, including a provision to allow the courts to give life sentences to perpetrators and the ability to confiscate the proceeds of their crimes and compensate their victims using it. At the same time, the Act enhances protection for victims in a number of ways, such as providing a defence for victims of modern slavery who are forced to commit offences.

Furthermore, the Act has seen the creation of the UK's first ever Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner to spearhead the fight against modern slavery, with a remit focused on strengthening law enforcement efforts both here an overseas, as well as helping to ensure that public authorities identify and support slavery victims effectively.

The Home Secretary, the Rt Hon Theresa May, has stated that legislation is only part of the solution in combating the complex problem of modern slavery, adding that "it also requires tireless and coordinated effort across government and law enforcement, work with other countries to tackle the problem at source, and increased awareness within all communities."

Sunday Trading

Setting the record straight on Sunday Trading

I have spoken a great deal in Parliament and the media - including in the Huffington Post - about my opposition to the Government's plans to extend Sunday trading hours. This policy would undermine family life, place shopworkers under more pressure, and damage local shops. The current laws are an accepted compromise supported by two-thirds of the public, with the other third of people split between wanting more or less restriction on Sunday opening.

Here, I want to focus on Annabel Denham's blog arguing for more Sunday trading hours, and suggesting that small traders should welcome these proposals. Specifically, I want to focus on some of the data used in that blog, which in my view is simply not credible.

Annabel Denham states that during the 2012 Olympics, when Sunday trading laws were temporarily suspended, sales increased by 6.2% outside London and 2.8% inside London. According to the best information available, these figures are wrong. ONS data shows a decline in overall sales of 0.2% during this period, and the British Retail Consortium data, which is trusted by analysts and Government, showed a 0.4% decline on the previous year. So why the discrepancy? The figures being used by Annabel Denham were quoted by Philip Davies MP (who has unsuccessfully attempted to remove Sunday trading regulations on a number of occasions) in a Parliamentary debate, but, to my knowledge, they are not published anywhere. They appear to be based solely on large shopping centres, and we cannot interrogate this data to understand whether this is a year on year comparison, or month on month, and whether this measures like for like sales or includes new centres. I would rather trust the official statistics on this rather than unpublished data covering only one part of the retail market, and excluding most of the small businesses which Annabel Denham seeks to reassure.

This really matters, because the fundamental point about Sunday trading and the economy is that more hours do not equal more sales. All that happens when trading hours increase is that the sales get spread from smaller to larger stores, and across more hours. This is why many larger retailers are not supporting the Government's plans; they know that this would just bring more costs without bringing in enough sales to cover them. Of course this is also why small retailers and community stores are absolutely right to oppose these changes. For them, the repercussions would be far more serious than simply burdensome additional costs - it will be whether they can survive at all. A Sunday trading free for all would divert trade away from small stores and the communities they support, to larger competitors. Oxford Economics have calculated this would actually lead to a net loss of thousands of jobs in the small retail sector.

Annabel Denham's argument - and the Government's - that this is a localist agenda is utterly spurious. Even a most cursory glance at the proposals indicates that if one local authority extends these hours, neighbouring authorities will feel pressurised into following suit - hardly local decision-making at all.

Parliament should consider the true impacts of Sunday trading deregulation, and should examine the data being presented by all sides in this debate

Published on Huffington Post 19/02/2016





"Opposing Sunday Trading Laws is a matter of Social Justice" says Fiona Bruce MP

I oppose any change in the Sunday trading laws . This is a matter of social justice. This proposal will not pass the Government's Family Test announced last year - that every policy should be checked to ensure it does not have a negative impact on family life . Local Authorities will be pressured into extending Sunday  trading hours for a perceived financial gain - or at least so as not to lose out to neighbouring Council areas . But the real price for longer hours  will  be paid by children and families where a parent is required to work on Sundays . They will have less shared time together . Another degree of stress will be added to what are already pressured family relationships in this country . And the less well off, who often have least choice or flexibility about the hours they work will be hit hardest by any further requirement to work on Sundays. That's why opposing this change is a matter of social justice . "

International Development

"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights", states the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This mantra must be at the heart of
foreign policy, not only in diplomacy but in development too. While all are born
equal, not all have equal opportunities, and we must do all we can to make
equality of 'dignity and rights' a reality, and work hardest for those who are
most vulnerable.

Save the Children's new report, Every Last Child, is a reminder that this is a
significant task. While the progress made since the establishment of the
Millennium Development Goals in 2000 has been enormous, millions are not
seeing the benefits because they are discriminated against. Children with
disabilities are up to four times more likely to experience physical and sexual
violence than their able-bodied peers. Indigenous groups make up five
percent of the global population but fifteen percent of those living in poverty.
400 million children from minority ethnic and religious groups are being
discriminated against worldwide.

Discrimination is a major cause of poverty, and a childhood of exclusion can
be the difference between a lifetime of prosperity or destitution. However, it is
not addressed as a cause of poverty. This is a hurdle in thinking that we need
to overcome; we now need to be bold about making aid challenge injustice.

Our aid budget saves lives, but it must also combat exclusion. In the era of
the Sustainable Development Goals, and the 'leaving no-one behind'promise,
international development must put the hardest to reach first. Save the
Children's report launches a three year campaign aiming to do just this. One
of their key recommendations is to make sure that aid spending is focussed
on the children who are forgotten about because of who they are, where they
are from or what they believe.

To focus aid in this way, we need the right data. We need to know who the
most vulnerable children are, where they live, what they need - and we need
proof that aid is reaching them. We also need to bolster civil society and work
with partner governments to ensure that excluded children and their
communities are represented, and able to hold their governments to account.
And we need to reform tax systems to ensure that developing countries can
invest in the public services that level the playing field and ensure every child
has access to healthcare and learning.

The development sector must change, at donor, agency and recipient level, to
fight for human rights, rather than regarding it as a subsidiary issue. We
cannot stand by while discrimination holds people back from the progress of
development, and I'm pleased that Save the Children's new campaign takes
up this challenge, and look forward to supporting it over the next three years.

At the United Nations Convention in New York supporting Aid to women and girls in developing countries