MPs from across the political spectrum convened for a backbench debate on International Human Rights Day (10 December), reaffirming the vital role human rights play both at home and abroad.
A number of those in attendance had been called upon to participate by UNA-UK's members and supporters, who responded to our urgent call to action last week. Over 150 MPs were lobbied and received a copy of UNA-UK's new report on this issue. Whilst attendance for the debate was fairly sparse for such an important subject, UNA-UK is pleased to report that the vast majority of those who contributed put forward well-informed positions.
Jim Shannon, Democratic Unionist Party Spokesperson for Equality, opened the debate, stating that: "There have been many debates in this House on human rights themes in relation to specific countries, but we have not, to my knowledge, in the time of this Government or the previous one, had a wide-ranging debate with an opportunity to review the human rights situation around the world". Mr Shannon went on to suggest that the Commons convene an annual debate of this nature, ideally timed to correspond to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office's Human Rights and Democracy Report.
Contributions from Members of the Scottish Nationalist Party, Conservatives and Labour followed, touching on a number of thematic issues of concern. The UK's work promoting freedom of religion and belief was raised by a number of MPs, particularly its close relationship with freedom of expression and countering extremism. The human rights records of Burma, Australia, the US, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia, amongst others, were also raised, highlighting that this is an issue all countries grapple with to different degrees.
The UK's own record on human rights was also scrutinised. A number of Members raised the current debate around human rights in the UK, and declared their strong support for the Human Rights Act as a vital safety net for the most vulnerable people in this country. As Valerie Vaz, a Labour MP, put it: "both the Human Rights Act and human rights generally, are the David to the Goliath of the powerful". Andy Slaughter MP, Shadow Minister for Justice, highlighted a letter published in the Times and signed by UNA-UK and over 150 other organisations celebrating "the Human Rights Act, recognising it is the promise of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights made law here at home".
Fiona Bruce, Conservative MP and member of the Joint Committee for Human Rights, regretted that there was no core focus on human rights in the Government's new aid strategy. She stated that overlooking human rights abuses is to ignore "the cause of so many humanitarian problems around the world, which, ultimately, DfID and our aid funds have to address". The UN's Sustainable Development Goals were raised as a welcome opportunity to uphold the dignity and rights of people around the world.
Finally, various MPs paid credit to the United Nations for its contribution to founding and developing the field of international human rights law. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was lauded as the cornerstone for efforts to uphold rights globally, as well as the subsequent Covenants on Civil and Political Rights, and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which celebrate their 50th anniversaries next year. Members also showed their support for the UK's candidacy for re-election to the UN Human Rights Council as a crucial way of standing up for the rights of all people, everywhere.
