Research Briefing
The Quebec referendums
This paper gives a brief outline of separatism in Quebec, showing that many of the arguments in Canada are already being echoed in the debate about Scotland’s future relationship with the rest of the UK.
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Research Briefing
In brief: the controversy over the November 2013 Commonwealth Summit in Sri Lanka
In November 2009, the Commonwealth Heads of State and Government Meeting (CHOGM) agreed that its 2013 meeting should be held in Sri Lanka. This decision has faced persistent criticism since then, with organisations including Human Rights Watch arguing that the Sri Lankan Government’s human rights record is so poor that the Commonwealth should relocate the Summit elsewhere. The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, has rejected such calls. So far, Canada is the only Commonwealth member state to say that it will definitely not be attending the Summit. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, and the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, have confirmed that they will both be attending the Summit on behalf of the British Government (Prince Charles will represent the Queen). The official British position is that they will use their presence to raise concerns about the human rights situation in Sri Lanka.
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Research Briefing
In brief: the 2014 bloc opt-out and selective opt-back-ins
This note, prepared for the parliamentary debate on 15 July 2013, looks briefly at the current situation regarding the UK's 2014 decision on justice and home affairs measures and lists the 35 measures the Government would like to opt back into.
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Research Briefing
Defence Reform Bill
The Defence Reform Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 3 July 2013. Second Reading has been tabled for 16 July 2013.
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Research Briefing
Coup in Egypt
A brief survey of the Egyptian military’s removal of President Mohamed Mursi.
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Research Briefing
Leaving the EU
The Treaty on European Union provides for a Member State to leave the EU, either on the basis of a negotiated withdrawal agreement or without one. If the UK were to leave the EU following a referendum, it is likely that the Government would negotiate an agreement with the EU, which would probably contain transitional arrangements as well as provide for the UK’s long-term future relations with the EU. There is no precedent for such an agreement, but it would in all likelihood come at the end of complex and lengthy negotiations.
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Research Briefing
European Union (Referendum) Bill
This Private Member’s Bill was introduced to the Commons on 19 June 2013 and is designed to require the holding of a referendum on the UK’s continued membership of the European Union (EU) before the end of 2017. This Paper has been prepared as a guide in advance of the second reading on Friday 5 July.
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Research Briefing
The draft EU data protection framework
The UK’s data protection law is based on a 1995 European Directive. The European Commission believes that the Directive is now out of date and has therefore proposed a comprehensive reform of the 1995 rules to strengthen online privacy rights and boost Europe’s digital economy. Aspects of the reform are controversial and negotiations continue at European level to find agreement.
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Research Briefing
Syria: The legality of arming the rebels after the lifting of the EU arms embargo
Would arming the Syrian rebels be illegal, notwithstanding the lifting of the EU arms embargo?
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Research Briefing
UK overseas aid expenditure
This note describes how UK official development assistance (overseas aid) is distributed.
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Research Briefing
Political progress in Libya?
Has Libya built on the achievement of successful elections in 2012 to make real progress towards a modern, democratic and secure state?
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Research Briefing
Proposal to increase the number of EU Court of Justice Advocates-General
This Note looks at a draft Council decision to increase the number of Advocates-General at the EU Court of Justice in the context of reform of the EU Court of Justice.
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