Published: Thursday 19 August 2021

New EDMs

370Kashmir and the revocation of Articles 370 and 35A of India's Constitution

Tabled: 18/08/21 Signatories: 1

Tahir Ali

That this House recognises that it has been two years since the Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party Government in India revoked Articles 370 and 35a from its constitution, effectively stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its regional autonomy; notes that since 6 August 2019, Kashmir has been under militarised occupation by India; condemns that occupation which has resulted in the suspension of democratic process in Jammu and Kashmir, censorship of journalists in that region, the repression of activists opposed to that occupation, a communications blackout which has hampered Kashmir’s response to the covid-19 pandemic and serious human rights abuses by Indian forces in that region, including extrajudicial killing, torture, rape and illegal detention which have been well-documented by international monitoring organisations; and calls on the UK Government to bring diplomatic pressure, including sanctions, to bear upon Prime Minister Modi and his Government as a means of ending the occupation of that region and all of the human and civil rights abuses that continue to take place in that region.

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371East Lothian women's sky dive for the suicide prevention charity Papyrus

Tabled: 18/08/21 Signatories: 1

Kenny MacAskill

That this House applauds the bravery of Alicia Steele and Bobbi Lee Ross, two East Lothian young women, who did a sky dive from 10,000 feet for the suicide prevention charity, Papyrus; pays tribute to their willing openness and honesty to speak about their own mental health challenges, expressing how fortunately getting the right help and support at the right time, while some others didn't, inspired them to raise awareness as well as money to help break the stigma for young people struggling with their mental health; and commends and endorses their earnest plea to others suffering with their mental health to reach out when you are struggling.

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372Olympic medallists Duncan Scott and Tom Dean

Tabled: 18/08/21 Signatories: 1

Alyn Smith

That this House congratulates University of Stirling swimmer Duncan Scott and teammate Tom Dean for winning Olympic Silver and Gold respectively in the Men’s 200 metre Freestyle at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games; notes the hard work, commitment and dedication both of those athletes have exemplified in their training and in previous competitions; and wishes Mr Scott and Mr Dean well in their future endeavours.

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373National Plastic Health Impact Research Fund

Tabled: 18/08/21 Signatories: 1

Mick Whitley [R]

That this House notes that we breathe in, drink and eat plastic particles every day; recognises that little research has been conducted to fully establish what risk that poses to human health; further notes that when plastic gets into the body it can spread; understands that particles emitted from plastic prosthetic implants have been found in human organs like the liver, spleen and placenta; believes that new clinical research on plastic and health is urgently required but is chronically underfunded; notes that in 2021 Whitehall announced its commitment to making Britain a world leader in research and development across health, life sciences and manufacturing, with some £15 billion invested into research and development for 2021-22; asserts that part of that budget must be ringfenced to urgently understand how increasing exposure to plastic particles affects human health; and endorses social enterprise Common Seas’ calls for the Government to rapidly introduce a new £15 million National Plastic Health Impact Research Fund.

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374NHS Lanarkshire’s support for the armed forces

Tabled: 18/08/21 Signatories: 1

Margaret Ferrier

That this House congratulates NHS Lanarkshire for their award of the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award for their outstanding support for the armed forces community, one of only 140 organisations announced in July 2021 by the Minister for Defence People and Veterans; commends the efforts of Craig Cunningham, NHS Lanarkshire’s Armed Forces and Veteran’s Champion, the staff and local veterans in the design of the unique service provided to support veterans, Reserves, Cadet Force Local Volunteers and their families; and recognises the value of that fantastic work, made possible through volunteer hours in already difficult circumstances, in providing that service by veterans, for veterans.

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375Olympian Laura Muir

Tabled: 18/08/21 Signatories: 1

Amy Callaghan

That this House celebrates East Dunbartonshire constituent Laura Muir following her triumphs at the Olympic Games in 2021; notes that Laura won the Olympic silver medal in the 1500m while also setting a new British record of 3 minutes 54.50 seconds; recognises the hard work, sacrifice and dedication athletes have made, particularly during the covid-19 pandemic, to compete this year; further wishes Laura well for her future endeavours; and congratulates all athletes who trained hard and competed in the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021.

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376Women's rights in Afghanistan

Tabled: 18/08/21 Signatories: 2

Kirsten Oswald

Anne McLaughlin

That this House is horrified at the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and is particularly concerned about the impact on women and girls of the collapse in the Afghan government and return to power of the Taliban; notes that some 80 per cent of the near quarter of a million Afghans forced to flee their homes between the end of May and early August this year are women and children, which must be reflected in asylum planning by the UK Government; notes that assurances given by Taliban representatives, including to the Russian foreign ministry in July 2021, that they would respect human rights, including those of women, within the framework of Islamic norms and Afghan traditions, has allowed local Taliban leaders to repudiate Afghanistan’s Law on the Prohibition of Violence Against Women, which was passed in August 2009, and return to the days of child marriage and forced marriage, with evidence emerging of young girls and widows being demanded as brides for Taliban fighters; further notes the words of Mahbooba Siraj, founder of the Afghan Women's Network, who said that if the Taliban took over it would crush women's voices, and Pashtana Durrani, Executive Director of LEARN, an Afghan NGO for girls’ education, who said that, for Afghan women, this means losing your houses, your dreams, your goals, your ambition, your identity; and calls on the UK Government and the international community to stand united behind women’s rights, including the right to education, in Afghanistan.

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377Earthquake devastation in Haiti

Tabled: 18/08/21 Signatories: 1

Patricia Gibson

That this House expresses its sadness and sympathy for the victims of the earthquake that struck Haiti on Saturday 14 August with a magnitude of 7.2 on the Richter Scale, in which at least 1,297 people are confirmed to have died, an estimated 5,700 people have been injured with an unknown number of people left homeless and in need of basic humanitarian aid; remembers the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, which killed more than 200,000 people, the bout of cholera accidentally and subsequently introduced by United Nations forces through contamination of a water source, which killed at least 10,000 Haitians; recalls the impact of Hurricane Matthew in 2016, which inflicted extensive damage to the country's infrastructure and economy; notes with concern the potential impact of tropical storm Grace which is anticipated to sweep over the country with wind speeds of 40-50 miles per hour on 16 and 17 August, likely causing further damage; encourages people across Scotland to donate to charitable appeals; and urges the Scottish and UK Government to contribute to the provision of immediate and long term relief to help the people of Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere, deal with the aftermath of yet another humanitarian crisis.

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378Legislative Reform (Church Commissioners) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021 No. 842)

Tabled: 18/08/21 Signatories: 6

Chris Loder [R]

Sir Peter Bottomley

Mr Richard Holden

Jerome Mayhew

Tim Farron

James Sunderland

That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Legislative Reform (Church Commissioners) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021 No. 842), dated 13 July 2021, a copy of which was laid before this House on 27 July 2021, be annulled.