Persecution and Detention of LGBT Citizens: Chechnya

Margaret Ferrier Excerpts
Thursday 20th April 2017

(7 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alan Duncan Portrait Sir Alan Duncan
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I think we should take those as serious words of wisdom from a senior Member of the House. We must always look at our own supposed allies to make sure that they have not got—let us call them diluted views. The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to point out that Europe, for starters, must be united if we are to make our voice clear and resonant in the wider world.

Margaret Ferrier Portrait Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (SNP)
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Having tabled an early-day motion on this very subject earlier in the week, I am grateful to the hon. Member for Cardiff South and Penarth (Stephen Doughty) for securing the urgent question and to you, Mr Speaker, for permitting it. Will the Government assure us that members of the LGBTI community in Chechnya will be granted asylum in the United Kingdom should they flee and seek refuge on our shores?

Alan Duncan Portrait Sir Alan Duncan
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I have to tell the hon. Lady that that is primarily a Home Office matter, and a matter for the proper workings of asylum legislation.