Research Briefing
Relations between the largely Anglophone regions of Cameroon and the country’s dominant Francophone elite have long been fraught. Over the past three years, tensions have escalated seriously and since October 2017 violent conflict has erupted between armed separatist groups and the security forces, with both sides being accused of committing human rights abuses.
Research Briefing
The armed forces take power in Sudan, removing President Omar al-Bashir from power. This short briefing paper looks at recent developments.
Debate Pack
A Westminster Hall debate on ‘LGBT rights in Brunei’ has been scheduled for Wednesday 10 April 2019 from 4.30-5.30pm. The debate has been initiated by Thangam Debbonaire MP.
Research Briefing
This House of Commons Library briefing paper considers surrogacy and parental orders, in particular the revised position for single people who previously had been unable to obtain such an order. A link to the full report in pdf format can be found at the bottom of this page.
Debate Pack
A Westminster Hall debate on Modern slavery and victim support is scheduled for Wednesday 27 March 2019 at 9.30 am. The Member leading the debate is Iain Duncan Smith MP
Research Briefing
Media reports have speculated on whether the Government might be preparing to use its emergency powers conferred by the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 to manage various problems commentators have suggested may emerge after Brexit, particularly if there is no deal.
Research Briefing
With the UK due to leave the EU next week and no Withdrawal Agreement as yet approved by the House of Commons, the Government has requested that the EU agree an extension to the Article 50 period in order to delay Brexit. Under what scenarios could an Article 50 extension be agreed with the EU? And could this lead to the UK taking part in the European Parliament elections?
Debate Pack
A Westminster Hall debate on ‘Forced live organ extraction in China’ has been scheduled for Tuesday 26 March 2019 from 9.30am to 11.00am. The debate has been initiated by Jim Shannon MP
Research Briefing
Could the UK unilaterally terminate the Withdrawal Agreement under international law if the Irish backstop, which the Agreement says is intended to be temporary, became permanent? An amendment from Sir Edward Leigh to the Government’s motion in December 2018 on approving the Withdrawal Agreement called for an assurance from the Government that it would terminate the Withdrawal Agreement if the EU refused to agree to removing the backstop at the end of 2021. This note looks at provisions in the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties for terminating and denouncing treaties, and arguments about whether these might apply to the Withdrawal Agreement if the Irish backstop were to persist.
Insight
In 2017, public and private donors around the world gave about $200 billion in overseas aid to developing countries. This new interactive dashboard looks at these aid flows.
Research Briefing
This paper looks at the possible options for dealing with returning terrorist fighters
Research Briefing
On 11 March 2019 the UK government and the EU agreed a series of 'interpretations' and 'clarifications' of the Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration they negotiated in November 2018. What is in the published documents? What are their effects? To what extent do they provide legally binding guarantees? How did they change the Attorney General's legal opinion of the Withdrawal Agreement? What was the result of the second 'meaningful vote' held in the House of Commons on the updated 'package', and what happens next?
Debate Pack
This pack has been prepared ahead of the debate to be held in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 12 March 2019 from 9.30-11am on fire safety and sprinkler systems. The subject for the debate has been selected by the Backbench Business Committee and the debate will be opened by Jim Fitzpatrick MP and Sir David Amess MP.
Research Briefing
This House of Commons Library briefing paper provides an overview and background to the Private Member's Bill: Children Act 1989 (Amendment) (Female Genital Mutilation) [HL], Bill 294 of 2017-19. The Bill has completed its parliamentary stages in the House of Lords and is now passing through the House of Commons.
Research Briefing
South Sudan was born in 2011. Since the moment of its birth, its people have been embroiled in turmoil, conflict and suffering. Although the civil war which has raged since 2013 has complex roots, observers attribute much of the blame to its leaders, President Salva Kiir Mayardit and former First Vice-President Riek Machar, who head up opposing political and armed factions of the ruling party. Over the last year or so, there have been renewed peace efforts. Could this mean peace at last?
Total results (page 47 of 84)