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Tim Farron Excerpts
Tuesday 20th January 2015

(9 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
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Of course, Belarus is not party to the European convention on human rights and is not subject to the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights. Whether we are looking at the European convention on human rights or the international covenant on civil and political rights, it is important to continue to urge the Belarusian authorities to end their flagrant abuse of normal human rights and democratic standards. That is something on which I hope the whole House will be united.

Tim Farron Portrait Tim Farron (Westmorland and Lonsdale) (LD)
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On that point, given that Belarus is the only one of 48 European states not to be under the aegis of the European Court of Human Rights, will the Minister make it clear that he disagrees with those of his colleagues who think we should join that elite grouping?