Fleeing your home is one of the most heartbreaking decisions a person can make. Refugees coming to the UK and Europe have risked everything in the hope of safety and a better future for themselves and their families.

Within just the last few days, yet more people have tragically lost their lives trying to cross the Channel. It is utterly heartbreaking, especially for the friends and families left behind.

It’s hard to imagine how desperate people must be to climb into these boats in search of a better life. It just isn’t right that vulnerable people are left no choice but to make these perilous attempts.

Our priority must be to save lives.

For more than 300 years torture has been illegal in the UK. But today the Overseas Operations Bill in the House of Commons would overturn this position.

Liberal Democrats have serious concerns about this disturbing Bill and its implications for human rights, the rule of law, and the UK’s position as a leading voice for these values internationally.

Any subversion of human rights commitments is totally unacceptable.

We have serious concerns about this disturbing bill.

The Bill would grant impunity to perpetrators of torture. This is shocking, and would breach the UK’s obligations under multiple international treaties to investigate and prosecute acts of torture no matter how long ago they occurred.

This legislation violates commitments in the UN Convention against Torture, the Geneva Convention and the Human Rights Act. It is yet another sign that this Government is determined to undermine the UK’s human rights standards from those of its closest neighbours in the EU.

Liberal Democrats have tabled an amendment that would remove the Government’s provision in the Bill for exemption from the European Convention on Human Rights in overseas operations.

Despite the Government’s claims, this Bill will do nothing to help UK forces.

“Today, the government is seeking to effectively decriminalise torture with the Overseas Operations Bill.

Liberal Democrats will vote against this disturbing Bill.” @amcarmichaelMP https://t.co/h69JlS6ENk

— Liberal Democrats (@LibDems) November 3, 2020

The Bill reduces the rights of service personnel, including the right to seek personal injury or human rights damages after six years will only benefit the Ministry of Defence. By far the largest proportion of claims against the Ministry of Defence from 2014 to 2019 were brought by service personnel seeking compensation for harms suffered during active service.

We have tabled a series of amendments to the Bill to ensure that service personnel can continue to bring civil claims forward.

But at its heart, this Bill questions our morality as a nation.

Liberal Democrats have long been vocal campaigners against torture.

This Bill questions our morality as a nation.

We led the campaign for a torture inquiry into the Iraq War. We continue to champion human rights in the UK and internationally.

We are clear that this Bill must be amended so that ‘torture’ is included alongside ‘sexual offences’ as human rights violations that can still be prosecuted. And why do the MPs backing this bill believe it is necessary to put a five year limit on prosecuting people involved in acts of torture or war crimes? Some victims will not be physically able to bring cases in this time due to being detained, for example.

We are signatories to cross-party amendments that oppose its deeply problematic provisions on presumption against prosecution, and the five-year limit on torture, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Survivors of torture and their loved ones must have access to justice.

People all over the UK are worried about their future.

Too many people have already lost their jobs because of the Government’s failure to plan

COVID cases are increasing, we’re facing another lockdown, and businesses can’t plan for the future when the government will only extend the furlough scheme for a month.

Yet again, Boris Johnson dithered, delayed and ignored expert advice.

People across our country have sacrificed so much.

He was too slow in March and too slow again now, and his failure to lead has cost lives and jobs.

People across our country have sacrificed so much, waiting for Ministers to act and keep our families safe.

Instead, the Government asks even more despite failing to deliver an effective test, trace and isolate system.  The priority must be keeping people safe and ensuring no one is left behind.

We need a real plan in place to protect jobs, businesses and the self-employed, not least an immediate u-turn on ending furlough. Unlike before, carers and care home residents must be properly looked after. 

If there is to be any chance of a near normal Christmas for families and a recovery in the new year for businesses, we need a coherent plan now. That includes common guidelines agreed by the four governments of the UK and a strategy for fixing the test, trace and isolate system.