Rushanara Ali

Since 1952, February 21st has been commemorated by the people of Bangladesh, and Bengalis around the world, as Language Martyrs Day, after student demonstrators from East Pakistan were killed by Pakistani police, whilst protesting for Bangla to be preserved as an official language of Pakistan. These students are celebrated as martyrs, with their deaths being seen not only as leading to the preservation of the Bangla language, but also being the start of the struggle for Bangladesh independence. In 1999, UNESCO created International Mother Language Day, so that 21st February would be recognised across the World, to promote linguistic and cultural diversity. Continue reading

The Times has reported that Shamima Begum who fled the UK to join IS in 2015 was recently found in a camp in Syria. Continue reading

On Friday 25 January a video circulated on social media showing a man making offensive and racist comments outside Central Foundation Girls’ School. Continue reading

Over the last few weeks, Rushanara Ali MP has questioned the Government over their use of non-disclosure agreements, which prevent organisations and businesses from revealing any information related to contingency plans drawn up by Government departments in no deal Brexit preparations. Following Rushanra’s enquiries, the Government admitted to using NDAs in a number of departments, including the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Exiting the European Union. Continue reading

On Wednesday 16 January, Theresa May's Brexit Withdrawal Agreement was voted down by MPs in a landmark defeat for the Government.  The Government lost the vote by a margin of 202 to 432, with the majority of 230 being a record defeat in the Commons in the modern political era.    Continue reading

Last week, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Amber Rudd MP, announced plans to cancel the ‘two-child limit’ benefits cap for families with three or more children born before April 2017.  This U-turn comes after a cross party campaign by MPs, the Church of England and the Child Poverty Action Group. Over 100 MP’s signed a letter facilitated by Rushanara Ali MP in October, urging PM Theresa May, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Phillip Hammond MP and the then Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Esther McVey MP, to reconsider the two-child limit policy. Continue reading

On Thursday 20 December, Rushanara Ali MP, Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Democracy in Burma and the Rights of Rohingya, called on the Government to apply greater pressure on the Burmese military and government to protect Rohingya Muslims.   Continue reading

Earlier today the police were called to an incident after three people were stabbed and injured at a health centre on St Stephen’s Road in Tower Hamlets. Continue reading

Rushanara Ali MPs statement on the 47th anniversary of Bangladesh’s Victory Day Marking the 47th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence on December 16th, Bethnal Green and Bow MP, Rushanara Ali paid her respects to those who sacrificed their lives to secure the freedom and independence of Bangladesh. Continue reading