PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
SYRIAN PASSPORTS (17 October 2016)

That this House notes with grave concern reports that Syrian citizens and critics of the Syrian government have had their passports declared stolen by their government; further notes reports that as a consequence of this, UK authorities have confiscated passports based on such reports from the Syrian government, while at the same time accusing that same Syrian government of war crimes; notes that on 22 September 2016 award-winning journalist, Zaina Erhaim, had her passport confiscated for this reason even though her identity was not contested and she was allowed entry into the UK on an older passport; notes that this has had a huge impact on her and her family; believes that such actions risk making the UK appear to be complicit in assisting the Syrian government in its repression of its own citizens; and urges the Home Secretary to assist Ms Erhaim and others unfairly treated to acquire proper identity documentation, and to review the procedures so that no foreign governments can abuse the passport system to silence their critics or journalists upholding the right to freedom of expression.

Sponsored by:
Mr Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat)