2 APPG memberships (as of 28 Mar 2025)
Arbitrary Detention and Hostage Affairs, International Law, Justice and Accountability11 Former APPG memberships
Access to Justice, Allergy, Closing the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility, Data Poverty, Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity, Hong Kong, Lawyers and Judges at Risk Globally, Legal Aid, Philanthropy and Social Investment, War Crimes, YazidisDivision Voting information
Debates during the 2024 Parliament
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
Sparring Partners
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
(8 debate interactions)
Department Debates
(9 debate contributions)
(6 debate contributions)
(3 debate contributions)
(2 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(764 words contributed)
(710 words contributed)
(676 words contributed)
(588 words contributed)
Lords initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Baroness Kennedy of Shaws, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
2 Bills introduced by Baroness Kennedy of Shaws
A Bill to make provision about prevention of and response to genocide and other atrocity crimes.
A bill to enable the Secretary of State or an immigration officer to refuse entry, or to vary or curtail leave to enter or remain which has already been granted, to a person who is known to be, or to have been, involved in gross human rights abuses and who is not a UK or EEA national
Baroness Kennedy of Shaws has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
Latest 8 Written Questions
(View all written questions)8 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Questions
(View all Baroness Kennedy of Shaws's FCDO questions)We are aware that the Government of Pakistan has announced its intention to recommence deportations in April 2025. We are closely monitoring the Government of Pakistan's policy and are working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to ensure Pakistan adheres to its international human rights obligations. We continue to raise concerns with the Government of Pakistan regarding the humanitarian implications of the deportation of Afghan refugees. The visa process and issuance of documentation to Afghan refugees is a matter for Pakistani authorities, who ultimately reserve the right to decide the eligibility criteria for applicants.
Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) prioritises Mr Cornelius' welfare. Since he was first detained in 2008, FCDO consular staff in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been in regular contact with him. If Mr Cornelius has any health or welfare concerns, with his consent, we can raise these with the UAE authorities.
Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Consular cases are not raised as part of trade negotiations. We continue to provide consular support to Ryan Cornelius.
Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Sanctions can be used to achieve a range of foreign and security policy objectives. We use sanctions when they complement other tools as part of a wider strategy. We consider designations under our sanctions regimes, including the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations, guided by the evidence and the objectives of the sanctions regime. It would not be appropriate to speculate about future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce their impact.
Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Minister for the Middle East submitted a supporting letter alongside Mr Cornelius' clemency application to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, on 30 January ahead of the next round of pardons. The Government's support of Mr Cornelius' clemency application is already public.
Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
As the UK set out in a statement at the UN Human Rights Council on 27 September, the content of the UN's report on 'Cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights' is deeply troubling, including the reports of intimidation and harassment against the son of Jimmy Lai and his international legal team. I met with Sebastien Lai and Jimmy Lai's international legal team on Tuesday 8 October.
Any attempts to coerce, intimidate or harm those who cooperate with the United Nations are unacceptable. The UK unequivocally condemns each and every act of intimidation or reprisal.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are aware of the urgent appeal to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture with respect to British national Jimmy Lai and are deeply concerned by the allegations of torture and mistreatment it makes. The Foreign Secretary raised Jimmy Lai's case in his first meeting with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the ASEAN Summit on 26 July and his case remains a priority for this Government. I met with Sebastien Lai and Jimmy Lai's international legal team on Tuesday 8 October. We will continue to call on the Hong Kong authorities to end their politically motivated prosecution and immediately release Jimmy Lai and we will continue to press for consular access.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)