Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting: Human Rights

Debate between Baroness Whitaker and Baroness Verma

Tuesday 17th November 2015 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Whitaker (Lab)]

Will the Government take the opportunity to make representations to the Government of Bangladesh about the assassination of humanists and others because they do not profess a religion?

[Baroness Verma]

The noble Baroness raises some important points. We have to make sure that no space is created where freedom of speech is not allowed. The UK Government raise this issue regularly as a matter of course. Wherever we can, we will make sure that all countries, including Bangladesh, that are closing the space for freedom of speech address these issues so that the Commonwealth meets its commitment to the Commonwealth charter.