Belarus: Presidential Elections

Geraint Davies Excerpts

Thursday 24th September 2020 Commons Chamber

[Dominic Raab]

As I have set out in my statement, we want to provide support not just for journalists, but for civil society. It is always the journalists who tend to be the first ones that despotic and authoritarian regimes go for, and there is no secret as to why: it is because they are the ones who shine a light on the abuses and give the truth not only to the people, but to the outside world. It is right that we extend the money and support we provide for journalists and for civil society, particularly as Belarus goes through this tumultuous period where freedom, liberty and human rights come under such dire threat.

[Geraint Davies (Swansea West) (Lab/Co-op) [V]]

As a serving member of the Council of Europe, I wholly support the condemnation of the abuse of democracy and human rights in Belarus. But how can the Foreign Secretary expect to be taken completely seriously in condemning Belarus for breaking international law when his Government intend to break international law in their trade negotiations?

[Dominic Raab]

I can reassure the hon. Member that in all the discussions I have had, he is the only person to have made that point.