Motion text
That this House marks 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls and Red Wednesday, a day which highlights the plight of those who are persecuted for their religion and beliefs; notes that many already marginalised religious and belief communities have faced intensified discrimination since the outbreak of covid-19; expresses concern that some of these communities have been blamed for the virus and that this scapegoating has contributed to the reports of individuals being attacked, denied aid or otherwise prevented from accessing life-saving humanitarian interventions; further expresses concern that refugees, internally displaced people and prisoners of conscience are particularly vulnerable during the pandemic; condemns the use of the virus by China and other states as an excuse to further violate the rights of marginalised religious or belief communities; recognises that women from marginalised religious or belief communities face the above pressures but also encounter unique persecution and challenges due to their gender; expresses deep concern that these women have become much more vulnerable since the outbreak of covid-19 resulting in increased cases of domestic violence and kidnapping and forced marriage, as seen in the case of 14-year-old Maira Shahbaz and 13-year-old Arzoo Raja in Pakistan; and urges the UK Government and the international community to act to mitigate the impact that covid-19 has had on freedom of religion or belief globally and, in particular, on women and girls who are doubly discriminated against because of their gender and their beliefs.
Signatures (18)
The first 6 Members who have signed to support the motion are the sponsors. The primary sponsor is generally the person who tabled the motion and has responsibility for it. The date shown is when the Member signed the motion.
Bruce, Fiona
Conservative
Signed on
24 November 2020
Shannon, Jim
Democratic Unionist Party
Signed on
24 November 2020
Stafford, Alexander
Conservative
Signed on
25 November 2020
Day, Martyn
Scottish National Party
Signed on
25 November 2020
O'Hara, Brendan
Scottish National Party
Signed on
25 November 2020
Blackman, Bob
Conservative
Signed on
25 November 2020
In addition to the sponsors, the following Members have signed to support the motion.
Grady, Patrick
Scottish National Party
Signed on
25 November 2020
Farron, Tim
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
25 November 2020
McDonnell, John
Labour
Signed on
30 November 2020
Wilson, Sammy
Democratic Unionist Party
Signed on
30 November 2020
Fellows, Marion
Scottish National Party
Signed on
1 December 2020
Stone, Jamie
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
2 December 2020
Grant, Peter
Scottish National Party
Signed on
2 December 2020
Bottomley, Sir Peter
Conservative
Signed on
2 December 2020
Girvan, Paul
Democratic Unionist Party
Signed on
7 December 2020
Gibson, Patricia
Scottish National Party
Signed on
7 December 2020
Lucas, Caroline
Green Party
Signed on
7 December 2020
Butler, Dawn
Labour
Signed on
18 January 2021
There are no withdrawn signatures for this motion.