PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
CELEBRATION OF SIR SALMAN RUSHDIE'S LITERARY ACHIEVEMENTS (9 February 2016)

That this House celebrates the cultural and literary contribution of the British-Indian novelist and essayist, Sir Salman Rushdie; considers Sir Salman Rushdie's contribution to literary and cultural life in the UK and around the world to be of considerable achievement; notes the many awards bestowed on him such as the Pen Pinter Prize, the Booker Prize, the Prix Colette and the Premio Cinzane Cavour amongst others; further notes that 14 February 2016 marks 27 years since a Fatwa was issued calling for his death following the publication of his novel The Satanic Verses and, whilst recognising that the Fatwa is now effectively unrecognised, regrets that too many writers around the world still face persecution on a daily basis; commends the work of organisations such as PEN International, the National Union of Journalists and others for the work that they do to promote the rights of writers and the value of free speech both at home and abroad; and calls on the Government to work with governments in countries where writers face a high risk of persecution to promote the democratic, economic and cultural value of freedom of speech.

Sponsored by:
Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party)