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
