Rohingya Refugee Crisis – Asking for a Debate in Parliament – 20 Jan 2018
The Rohingya refugee crisis continues in Bangladesh, with Rohingya people fleeing a genocide at the hands of the Burmese military. Bangladeshi authorities are working hard to support as many refugees as they can, but are reliant on international aid contributions such as those made by the UK.
Cathays Labour Councillor Ali Ahmed, along with colleagues from the Cardiff Bangladesh Association, has recently travelled to Bangladesh to present a £40,000 cheque for the relief effort, raised by Cardiff business owners and members of the community.
I took the opportunity in Business Questions to again raise the issue of the refugee crisis and request a debate on government time to discuss the genocide inflicted on the Rohingya people.
You can watch the exchange here:
Jo Stevens MP:
Thank you Mr Speaker.
Cardiff Central Labour Councillor Ali Ahmed is currently in Bangladesh with representatives of the Cardiff Bangladesh Association, presenting a £40,000 cheque for the Rohingya relief effort. Can we have a debate in government time on the genocide, caused by the Burmese military, which has caused the refugee problem in Bangladesh?
Rt Hon Andrea Leadsom MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons:
The whole house is very concerned about the humanitarian crisis that’s been caused by Burma’s military. Many Rohingya have been killed and over 650,000 have fled to Bangladesh. She’ll be aware the UK is one of the biggest donors to the Rohingya reguee crisis and DfID [the Department for International Development] has stepped up efforts with an additional £59 million to support the latest influx of refugees.
We had a debate only recently on the plight of Rohingya people and she may well wish to seek a further backbench debate to hear further from Ministers.
http://www.jostevens.co.uk/rohingya_refugee_crisis_asking_for_a_debate_in_parliament
Includes image