Refugees and Asylum Seekers Debate

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Department: Home Office

Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Lord Bishop of Durham Excerpts
Monday 28th February 2022

(2 years, 8 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Williams of Trafford Portrait Baroness Williams of Trafford (Con)
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It is a very peculiar word to use, to do “better”. We all need to do our part. I absolutely hear what the noble Baroness said about what the EU is doing. We will of course play our part.

Lord Bishop of Durham Portrait The Lord Bishop of Durham
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Can the noble Baroness offer us any other examples of alternative interpretations of the refugee convention worldwide? If not, on what basis does she believe the Government are entitled to do so in reference to Clause 11 of the Bill we will discuss later?

Baroness Williams of Trafford Portrait Baroness Williams of Trafford (Con)
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It is up to states to interpret the refugee convention for themselves in line with the Vienna convention, which is a crucial part of it. There are examples across the world of states having interpreted in different ways but, as I said, it always has to be in line with the Vienna convention.