Motion text
That this House is horrified at the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and is particularly concerned about the impact on women and girls of the collapse in the Afghan government and return to power of the Taliban; notes that some 80 per cent of the near quarter of a million Afghans forced to flee their homes between the end of May and early August this year are women and children, which must be reflected in asylum planning by the UK Government; notes that assurances given by Taliban representatives, including to the Russian foreign ministry in July 2021, that they would respect human rights, including those of women, within the framework of Islamic norms and Afghan traditions, has allowed local Taliban leaders to repudiate Afghanistan’s Law on the Prohibition of Violence Against Women, which was passed in August 2009, and return to the days of child marriage and forced marriage, with evidence emerging of young girls and widows being demanded as brides for Taliban fighters; further notes the words of Mahbooba Siraj, founder of the Afghan Women's Network, who said that if the Taliban took over it would crush women's voices, and Pashtana Durrani, Executive Director of LEARN, an Afghan NGO for girls’ education, who said that, for Afghan women, this means losing your houses, your dreams, your goals, your ambition, your identity; and calls on the UK Government and the international community to stand united behind women’s rights, including the right to education, in Afghanistan.
Signatures (23)
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.
Oswald, Kirsten
Scottish National Party
Signed on
16 August 2021
McLaughlin, Anne
Scottish National Party
Signed on
17 August 2021
Fellows, Marion
Scottish National Party
Signed on
23 August 2021
Mishra, Navendu
Labour
Signed on
31 August 2021
Whitley, Mick
Labour
Signed on
31 August 2021
Barker, Paula
Labour
Signed on
2 September 2021
In addition to the sponsors, the following Members have signed to support the motion.
Law, Chris
Scottish National Party
Signed on
8 September 2021
Edwards, Jonathan
Independent
Signed on
8 September 2021
Dorans, Allan
Scottish National Party
Signed on
8 September 2021
Thewliss, Alison
Scottish National Party
Signed on
8 September 2021
Grady, Patrick
Scottish National Party
Signed on
9 September 2021
Hanna, Claire
Social Democratic & Labour Party
Signed on
9 September 2021
Stephens, Chris
Scottish National Party
Signed on
9 September 2021
Monaghan, Carol
Scottish National Party
Signed on
9 September 2021
Farry, Stephen
Alliance
Signed on
10 September 2021
Williams, Hywel
Plaid Cymru
Signed on
11 September 2021
Saville Roberts, Liz
Plaid Cymru
Signed on
11 September 2021
Lake, Ben
Plaid Cymru
Signed on
11 September 2021
Lucas, Caroline
Green Party
Signed on
13 September 2021
Shannon, Jim
Democratic Unionist Party
Signed on
13 September 2021
McDonnell, John
Labour
Signed on
17 September 2021
Hanvey, Neale
Alba Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Maskell, Rachael
Labour
Signed on
24 January 2022
There are no withdrawn signatures for this motion.