As well as participating in debates and questions in the House of Commons and previously sitting on a Select Committee, Rushanara was also a former Chair of several All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs). APPGs are informal cross-party groups that are run by Members of the House of Commons and House of Lords.
Rushanara was the Chair for the APPG for Bangladesh until July 2024 but had to step down due to rules relating to her Ministerial role. The APPG works to foster a greater understanding of the country of Bangladesh and provide a conduit for the Bangladeshi community here in the UK.
APPG for Rights of the Rohingya
Similarly, Rushanara was the co-chair of the APPG for the Rights of the Rohingya before being appointed as a Minister. In recognising the persecution, murder and other atrocities committed against the Rohingya, the group will work towards protecting and enhancing the human rights and status of the Rohingya, and will assess and scrutinise any repatriation agreement made between Bangladesh and Myanmar. Read about the full details of the APPG on Parliament's official register.
Likewise, Rushanara was the chair of the APPG for Burma. The APPG campaigns for and promotes democratic change in Burma and provides a focus for all those committed to bringing into being a stable and representative form of government, by peaceful means, that defends and upholds the right of individuals and ethnic groups in Burma.
APPG on Philanthropy and Social Investment
Rushanara was the founding chair of the APPG on Philanthropy and Social Investment. The APPG works to further understanding of the role of philanthropy, giving and social investment in Parliament, and to act as a discussion forum for politicians, philanthropists, social investors and experts to develop policy to improve and increase the amount of giving and social investment to good causes in the UK.
APPG on Conflict and Global Britain
Rushanara was the founding co-chair of the APPG on Conflict and Global Britain. The APPG has the objective of ensuring that the UK places action on conflict at the heart of its international strategy alongside climate change and Covid recovery.