Live Chechnya Urgent Question House of Commons

emptying the streets around churches and cathedrals of cars, and extra

police women put on duty to protect worshippers before services begin.

Order, urging questions to Stephen Dowty. Thank you. Will the Foreign

Secretary make a statement on the persecution of LB GT people

injection to. The arbitrary detention and ill-treatment of over

100 men in Chechnya because of their sexual orientation is of deep

concern to the UK. Credible reports suggesting that at least four people

have been killed and many have been tortured are particularly shocking.

Statements by the regional government in Chechnya, which

appeared to condone and incite violence against LGBT people, are

utterly despicable. We condemn any and all persecution and: They

authorities. My right honourable friend the Minister of the released

a statement in April outlining the government's concern of the report

and called upon the government to investigate and ensure perpetrators

of human rights abuses are brought to justice. Foreign Secretary has

also expressed his serious concerns also expressed his serious concerns

through social media. Officials from the British Embassy in Moscow

reiterated these concerns directly to the Russian government on the

13th of April, and we are working with international partners in

Russia as part of wider lobbying efforts. The EU made a statement on

the half of member states at the permanent Council of the OSCE on the

6th of April, and the UK permanent representative to the Council of

Europe delivered a statement on the UK in the committee of ministers on

the 19th of April. I praise the Minister for his sincerity on this

issue, I know he takes it clearly seriously. -- takes it seriously.

This campaign involves possibly several hundred men, and I want to

praise the journalists in Russia and the UK and elsewhere, who brought

this to public attention. We're talking about detention, beatings,

abuse, electric shock treatment is. They do not see this likely, but

some have described gay concentration camps, and we hear of

at least four killings. The LGBT community have spoken to me about

this. LGBT Labour spoke to the Prime Minister and this last week, sadly

not getting a reply. I know there have been representations from all

parties. President Putin already has a reputation of persecuting LGBT

communities, so is he taking a blind eye or is he complicit? The

Guardian's Shaun Walker expressed the horrors we are seeing, he

described it, attaching metal clamps and sending electric shocks through

his body. If he managed not to screen, others would join in beating

him with sticks or metal rods and demand to know names of other gay

men he knew in Chechnya. If we had any doubts about this brutal regime,

we need not. I do have to ask why it has taken so long for the Foreign

Secretary. Tweet is not enough to speak out about this, we have not

heard clear condemnation from the Prime Minister. Has the Prime

Minister or Foreign Secretary spoken directly to the Chechen governments,

have the called in the ambassador? Does he now regrets his cancelled

trip to Moscow, where he could have raised these atrocities in Chechnya

and Syria? Was the issue raised at the G7 discussion and could do Prime

-- the Minister explain what he's going to do on this issue? The

Foreign Secretary said it was outrageous, but the Foreign Office

has referred questions to the Home Office and as yet no clarity has

been given. Will be provide refuge from those fleeing this horrendous

persecution in Chechnya? May I say at the outset that I applaud the

honourable gentleman for raising this, and I hope it is a topic

around which this House can unite without any party politics because I

think a strong united voice in this country, which the honourable

gentleman is calling for, is the message we should be sending because

these reports are utterly barbaric. Indeed one of the most disgusting

things I have seen reported is a Chechen security source stating

these arrests are part of what he called a preventative clean-up. This

followed a request simply by an LGBT group to request licenses for gay

pride parades, and the group had not even applied for a permit in

Chechnya. Human rights groups report that these campaigns and killings

are orchestrated by the head of the Chechen Republic. He has carried out

other violent campaigns in the past, and this time he is directing his

efforts at the LGBT community. Sources have said he wants the

community eliminated by the start of Ramadan. Such comments and attitudes

and actions are absolutely beyond contemptible. Can I assure the

honourable gentleman under House but in the government, we fully condemn

this. We do use all engagement with Russia to make our voice clear. I

did so personally with the Minister of Russia when I met him a few weeks

ago, we spoke on general human rights matters, but also Chechnya,

and may I say that I hope this House would be fully united in giving the

strongest possible message to Russia and Chechnya in particular, that

this kind of activity is beyond contempt and not acceptable in the

world in which we live. Can I pay tribute to you in the support you

have given to the LGBT community send your occupied that chair, Mr

Speaker. It is right that it should be raised here because we have more

openly gay members of parliament here than anywhere else in the

world. When I was asked in 2010 why I came out, it was to partly send

the signal to other people who were troubled about their own sexuality,

to give them hope and confidence that if people like us can be open

about their own sexuality, hopefully they would also be able to take some

form of moral support that it may help them to do likewise. We have

made fundamental changes around the rest of the world when we have

looked at issues such as climate change. We have made massive

advances when we brought countries together on this issue. Can we not

do the same on LGBT issues, but we can have LGBT change throughout the

world? Can I ask of one area that might be worth a lot of attention is

the Commonwealth, where some countries part of our family of

nations have slid back as far as LGBT rights are concerned, could he

give some concentration on that and show that the British Government is

going to lead the way on LGBT change throughout the world? Indeed, and I

think one of the other strong messages as we approach a general

election, candidates in any party will be able to stand and be openly

gay without being in anyway ostracised by their own party or, we

hope, any part of the electorate. In itself, that sends a very strong

message to the world. I think it is a great tribute to this House and

our own democracy that over the last 15 years or so, we have seen all

parties have gay members on these green leather benches, and whatever

the outcome of the election, long may that continue. I also hope it

will be reflected in the Commonwealth in years to come, as my

honourable friend suggests, and we must campaign within Commonwealth

countries to make sure that they do not fail to reflect the standards

that we in the House reflect when it comes to the LGBT community. Can I

add my thanks to you for granting this question today. Also to my

honourable friend the Member for Cardiff South for bringing such an

important matter to the House today and speaking so eloquently. Can I

also thank him for his response and pay tribute to his long record for

standing up LGBT rights. A brave and much-needed pioneer in that regard.

I recall an article by Peter Hitchens in the Daily Mail in 2002,

entitled, I am sorry, Mr Duncan, if you are gay and not a Tory. And

goodness that has been resigned to the dustbin. We must do something

about some parts of Europe. In recent days and weeks we have heard

reports from organisations and human rights documenting the most terrible

abuse, causing great distress. It is nothing short of officially

sanctioned... But the Russian government who beers responsibility

ultimately for its citizens seems to be looking the other way. As has

already been put before the House, there was a letter written a week

ago by LGBT labour to the Prime Minister, in which they asked

particularly that she make the Russian ambassador -- meet the

Russian ambassador with some questions, and urge them to be those

who have been detained and close down those camps. We're speaking

today with a strong unified voice. But it seems to me that whilst I

applaud the right honourable gentleman raising this matter, I do

as a result of the urgent question as a result of the urgent question

today, I hope we will get an undertaking from the government that

it will be raised at a much higher political level. It seems to me that

this matter is something the Prime Minister should take initiative of,

and called in the Russian ambassador undermanned some answers. May I

thank the right honourable lady for her town. I had indeed forgotten

about the Peter Hitchens article. I am not sure I want to be reminded of

it! But at least I can take pleasure in the fact that no I am but one of

many on the Tory benches. I hope this statement can be seen as

reflecting the Prime Minister and the entire government's condemnation

of this, but I do note what she says about her wish to see the issue

raised to a higher level of political comment. I have to say,

another one of the most contemptible elements of this issue is noting

that a representative for Chechnya's Council on civil society and human

rights, supposedly someone who is charged with the task of upholding

human rights said she would not accept an application for help from

a gay person because the persecution of gay people should not be

condemned to an Chechen society, even if a person was killed by their

own family. The LGBT community in Chechnya is not just at risk of

persecution by the Chechen authorities, but also falling victim

to so-called honour killings by their own family members. They are

not safe inside Chechnya, and as I said earlier, what is happening in

that republic is beyond contemptible.

Mr Speaker, can I agree entirely with the Minister in his

condemnation of this terrible, terrible occurrence, but building on

the remarks of my oral ball friend from Ribble Valley, is he aware that

the Council of Europe is in plenary session next week and although many

members such as myself, because of the general election being called

are unable to attend, some of our colleagues will be at the Council of

Europe and would he have a word with the ambassador to see whether this

matter could be raised, for example, in the free debate during the

plenary session next week? I think it is important that this matter is

raise continually in an international environment, to put

more pressure on Russia and the Chechen authorities. Mr Speaker, I

think the Council of Europe is a very important voice for the

expression of wider Continental opinion and I certainly will convert

a two hour ambassador at the wishes of my right honourable friend, which

I sense will be all also the wishes of the entire house. The scenes and

stories emanating from Chechnya are beyond comprehension and utterly

sickening and we share the sentiments that others have

expressed. And while we may still have many challenges on the LGBT

equality in the UK, we are fortunate in we have come a very long way and

then having that greater freedom, we absolutely must use our voices,

whether we are members of the LGBT community or not and we must say it

loudly and clearly we condemn this horrific brutality. For the Chechen

authorities to not only denied these attacks but also, incredulously,

claimed that no gay people exist within their province is at best

extraordinary and at worst deceitful. We call for those in the

region to be protected and the UK Government is, but can do more, to

project athletes protect LGBT people around the world. The SNP manifesto:

the Government to establish the position of a special envoy to

promote the rights of LGBT people around the world as an integral part

of UK policy. Will the Minister look into this and consider this for

their forthcoming manifesto? And can I appeal to the Minister and his

colleagues to act on the proposals we brought forward, put all the

pressure he can on Chechnya and Russia to stop these abhorrent

abuses and persecution of gay men and the wider LGBT divinity. We

cannot stand idly by and let this happen. Those facing abuse must know

that we care and we are standing up for them. Well, Mr Speaker, I am

proud to say are broadly agree with the honourable lady and all that she

wishes to see us do is enshrined across the board in our Government

policy, through gifted, through the Home Office, through our foreign

policy, and so it will remain, so in that sense, I think we should all be

envoys in what we do internationally and, indeed, Mr Speaker, FCO

officials in Russia meet regularly with LGBT activists and attend LGBT

events so that we can provide visible support. We have also

provided support to organisations such as Stonewall and helped to

facilitate sar Ian McKellan's visit to Russia last year, during which he

met LGBT activists in Moscow and St Petersburg and Ekaterinburg and I

think his powerful messages about UK values resonated at least with

Russia's next generation. Is there an element of reversion to type

here, in that it was always a feature of a totalitarian regime to

vilify minorities and as a matter of routine political management and,

equally, of the former Soviet Union, it was difficult to to identify any

person that posed a political threat to brand them as gay and detain them

in a mental institution? Well, Mr Speaker, I think Chechnya does

indeed seem to be the worst of the lot, so in that sense, as part of

Russia, I would urge President Putin to make his views clear in

condemning what is going on in Chechnya. This reminds us that we

are phenomenally lucky in this country, those of us who are gay,

because I remember meeting in Russia in 2009, a lesbian activist who was

83 years old and I asked how she got away with it and she said "I think

President Putin things women don't have sex at the age of 80." How

wrong can you be, she said. The serious point is we should be paying

tribute to those people standing up and risking their own lives and I am

glad that the Government is acting to try and do that, but isn't this

all part of a peace? President Putin appointed Khedira as president in

Chechnya, he has then got elected with 90% of the vote, that doesn't

seem at all bazaar, does it? But he and Putin have repeatedly abused

human rights, they have used violence to excess and have always

resorted to violence when there is another opportunity providing a

peaceful means, so how do we, and will the Government make sure, that

people who are engaged in this kind of activity and those involved in

the murder of British people working in Russia, will not be entering this

country? I think an 80-year-old activist gives all of us a bit of

hope in this world. Not long now, Alan! Having just turned 60,

although I know I don't look it, I heard from behind the... Oh, yes, I

did! Much more seriously, what the honourable gentleman says is

absolutely right, this is part of a wider picture across Russia

although, I again say, I think Chechnya does appear to be the worst

example and I think that within the constraints of being able to

influence what happens in any other country, we have to speak loudly,

speak collectively, be brave and courageous and at a diplomatic

level, within the country, we will do our utmost to put pressure on the

regime to understand that in the modern world, this kind of activity

is barbaric and is no longer part of the world in which any country

should be allowed to live. If memory serves, the Right Honourable's

gentleman's birthday was 20 days ago. Can I start by thanking the

Minister for the various matter forceful statement he has made

today. I have written to the Russian ambassador and would like to echo

the calls made by other members here today that the UK Government to call

in the Russian ambassador and ask him in particular what they are

going to do to protect the journalists involved in leaking this

story, because clearly they are now at risk as well as the LGBT

immunity? The final question I wanted to ask the Minister was

weather since the G-7, where unfortunately our Government failed

to secure sanctions against Syria and Russia, have any lessons been

learned about how to improve cooperation so that at an

international level, action will be taken against Chechnya? I think the

right honourable gentleman has perhaps deviated slightly from the

collective tone of the House this morning. As I think he will

appreciate, what happened out of the G-7 was in response to fast-moving

events following the gassing of people in Syria. As I said the

moment ago and I say it again, on the issue of gay rights in Chechnya

or indeed anywhere else across the world, we need to speak not only as

one voice in this House but by working together with other

countries and with NGOs to make sure that the world collectively hones in

on the likes of Chechnya and Russia more generally to make them clear

that they are out of step with the rest of the world and overtime will

lose all credibility and become increasingly derided and it is high

time they just grew up and understand what the modern world is

all about. Can I congratulate my constituency neighbour for exposing

the latest manifestation of the barbaric treatment that the people

of Chechnya have had for a decade and pay tribute to Lord Frank Judd,

who acted as the wrapper two over many years for the Council of Europe

and reported fearlessly on the terrible things that were happening

there. I think one would reflect on this now and we entirely support the

opposition that should be worldwide to this terrible activity, and this

is spreading. And one of the reasons for it is the pressure on countries

to improve the human rights is now less because they don't have the

incentive of joining together in the European Union, that demanded these

high standards, and we are sadly going back into barbaric treatments,

not just in Chechnya, but many other countries, including Turkey. I will

join the honourable gentleman in paying tribute to the noble Lord

Paul Judd for all of his efforts over the years but I say again, it

is for all of us to work effectively across parties, across countries,

parties and all organisations to make sure that simple rides the

people -- writes for people that should not be denied to them are

upheld across the world. Considering how this may be misrepresented

abroad, particularly in Russia, is it not important to emphasise that

this is first and foremost a matter of human rights and is certainly not

a matter confined only to those who happen to be gay. And is it not

interested, Mr Speaker, that this is being discussed 50 years since the

House of Commons changed the law on homosexuality and if there is a

debate in July, near the actual date when the legislation was passed, I

would hope to be here, certainly I will do my utmost to be here, to

explain why I was pleased to vote for the change in law. I think I'm

the only one out in the House who has remained. Like I say, the way he

is going, he will be here and another 50 years vote time. -- here

in another 50 years' time. But he makes a very valid point about the

importance of promulgating the truth. When we stand up and hear

absolute blatant propaganda, we should not shy away from robustly

cantering lies of that sort and, for instance, Kadyrov's spokesman has

called reports about persecution and murder absolute lies themselves and

indeed, he added, as we heard earlier, there are no gay men in

Chechnya and you cannot arrest or repressed people who just don't

exist. And even worse, he went on to say that if they did exist, their

own relatives would have sent them away from, I quote, "Where they

could never return". And it is the use of language like that that

appears to condone the outright murder of someone simply because of

their sexual orientation, it is utterly unacceptable and condemns

them in the eyes of the decent world. Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am

delighted to speak in this debate and I also thank the deputy Foreign

Minister for her statement. I have a concern, though, that not just as a

member of the LGBT community, but also the broader sense of the

social, economic and political impoverishment of what is Chechnya

and its profound impact on all Chechen society, because whether we

like it or not, Kadyrov has fundamental support, in some terms,

of his nation, and the Russian Federation, so how we undermine that

is also about investment and also about foreign aid in tackling human

rights across the world. So will be debited Minister say here on the

floor, fighting for LGBTI rides in places like Chechnya and others,

that his foreign budget will not change after the general election?

Well, I think we should all committed to fighting prejudice

wherever we find it and I hope that when we stand in the election on

June the 8th, that will be part of all of the views we hold as we

present ourselves to the electorate. But the honourable gentleman

actually raises a deeper point as well, which is that we need, as this

has, to understand foreign affairs, to take an interest and to debate

countries such as Chechnya so I hope that early in the next Parliament,

that opportunity will present itself so the arguments we are hearing

today can be made more loudly at a junior eight. This has rightly

speaks with one voice in condemnation of these have borrowed

hacks -- abhorrent acts in Cheshire. It is not the first on the Russian

Government has been found wanting when it comes to human acts and it

needs reminding of its obligations. What can we do to make sure other

countries are similarly robust in explaining that to the Russian

Government, not least because of how insecure those members of the LGBTI

committee in Chechnya We work through every organisation

and of course the United Nations more widely. , but because we do

speak frankly, we have had a rather scratchy relationships with the

Russians recently. But we will not shy away from raising these issues

frankly and forcefully, and I can assure the honourable gentleman that

we will maintain a policy of robust engagement with the Russians, and it

will include matters of this sort when we do so. All of Glasgow weeps

at this news, and when I return later this afternoon we will have a

vigil in George Square with politicians, or 30 people,

expressing their horror at what is happening. Can I disagree with some

colleagues. I do not see the need for it to be escalated to the

Foreign Secretary. I think the Minister is very capable, deeply

thoughtful, but I would like to echo the comments made by my honourable

friend from Livingston. Is it not time for us to join countries like

Canada and having an envoy on LGBT rights, who reports directly to the

Prime Minister, and I would also echo the point made by my honourable

friend from Clydebank, does this not show, and also in terms of what the

honourable gentleman said about the Commonwealth, it is not the time to

cut it back -- cut back the foreign aid. I thank him for his kind words.

And usually I have to say at this political burden period! I am

contemplating putting it in quotation marks at my election

address! I wouldn't do that! -- politically fervent period. Our

policy on this is not for me to say. My personal observation are some a

dedicated envoy is not as effective as having all ministers and members

of Parliament doing it. Butterfat is in his manifesto, we will let the

people decide. Deeply, -- briefly, can I congratulate him for raising

this important point and human rights. But could I suggest a word

of caution about any complacency on this? We have a united voice in this

House of Commons, but we're travelling on an official visit --

when I was travelling towards the east on an official visit, I was

troubled by the attitudes of people beer, and I was in Austria. We saw

some propaganda, and we should be on our guard whenever this kind of

human rights abuse viewers at -- rears its ugly head. I think we

should take that as serious words of wisdom from a serious member -- a

senior member of this House. We need to make sure there are no dial

YouTube views, and he is right to point out that Europe needs to be

united if we're going to make our voice clear and resonant across the

wider world. Having tabled an early day motion myself on this very

subject earlier in the week, I am grateful to the honourable member

for Cardiff South and Penarth for securing this question, and to you,

Mr Speaker, for permitting it. Can we have assurances that members of

the LGBT community will be granted asylum in the United Kingdom should

be looked for refuge on our shores? I have to tell the honourable lady

that that is by merrily Home Office matter, and a matter for asylum

legislation. In February the Foreign Secretary announced a ?700 million

empowerment fund to project soft power and human rights. How was this

fund being used to promote equal rights campaigners and support civil

society in Chechnya and elsewhere? Can I echo the points of my

honourable friend as he has not yet voiced his commitment to the target,

as this is precisely why the target is so important. He makes reference

to the empowerment fund, and I understand bids are currently in

play. With the election I would imagine that will be stalled

slightly, but I'm confident that there will be programmes designed

for the promotion of human rights in many of the countries of which the

empowerment fund is directing its efforts. I wish to pay tribute to

the amazing work of an organisation and Leeds who brought this to my

attention. These abuses are are chilling. Can I as the Minister what

discussions he has had with EU partners but also with the United

Nations to look at an initiative to clearly seek to stamp out this sort

of appalling persecution, wherever it may happen. These discussions

take place on a regular basis in all the forums we are represented, and

it is usually the UK in the lead in designing initiatives and

statements, which I think would echo the opinions he has just stated. The

appalling treatment LGBT people face in some countries abroad makes it

all the more important that officials here making decisions on

asylum cases get them 100% correct. Will he make representations that no

asylum case should never be refused solely on the basis that a person

can return home and hide their sexuality away? I will convey entire

exchange to the Home Secretary. Order. Does it relate

specifically... He's such a patient fellow, we can hear from him later.

There will be some anticipation in the House over what he's planning to

raise! Business question. Thank you. Could the Leader of the House give

us the forthcoming business for next week? The business for next week

will be as follows. Monday 24th of April, consideration of a business

of the House motion followed by all stages of the Northern Ireland

ministerial appointments and regional rates