Ben Smith

A Westminster Hall debate on ‘Progress on the Bishop of Truro’s independent review of persecution of Christians and freedom of religion or belief’ has been scheduled for Wednesday 21 October 2020 from 9.30am to 11.00am. The debate will be led by Rehman Chishti MP

The august presidential election in Belarus led to the biggest demonstrations since the country's independence. The outcome is still not clear.

The independence movement in the Spanish region of Catalonia provoked a dramatic constitutional crisis in Spain and changed Spain's political scene...

With a peace deal signed between the Taliban and the US, what are the prospects for Afghanistan?

Stronger legislation providing for sanctions against corrupt officials who commit gross human rights abuse has been passed, and the UK's first Magnitsky sanctions have been announced...

This short Commons Library briefing paper examines UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

The Library has published a series of briefings on international dimensions of the coronavirus pandemic since March 2020, ranging from general surveys of its impact on developing countries to assessments of its effects in specific situations. Links to these briefings can be found here.

The election of a new president in 2019 raised the prospect of a resolution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

This Briefing Paper illustrates changes that have been made to procedures and practices in response to coronavirus in the House of Commons and a small selection of other parliaments.

Are sanctions against countries like Iran hindering them in their efforts to tackle the coronavirus pandemic?

The battle for control of Libya has continued inconclusively since Colonel Gaddafi’s rule ended in 2011. Over the last year conflict has intensified again, with a surge in violence recently, despite the threat presented by coronavirus.

What economic support have governments given to businesses and individuals to tackle the impact of the coronavirus? This paper looks at the policies put in place by the EU, governments in Europe, the US and other developed countries.

A general debate on the situation in Yemen has been scheduled for Tuesday 24 March 2020 in the Main Chamber.