BISHOP JULIUS JIA

Early day motion 432, tabled 20 December 2004 by Lindsay Hoyle (Labour). Signed by 44 members.

That this House notes with distress the treatment of Catholic Bishop Julius Jia by the Chinese Government; recognises the important work he has done in the community establishing an orphanage in 1991 for unwanted children; expresses its dismay at his treatment by the Chinese Government who ban him from worshipping and subject him to house arrest; notes that he has spent more than 20 years in jail, being arrested on more than 30 occasions; further notes that as Christmas approaches this is a particularly dangerous time for Bishop Jia; and calls on the Chinese Government to promote religious tolerance and allow Bishop Jia and Catholics across China to practise their faith.

Signatures by party: Labour 24, Liberal Democrat 10, Conservative 4, Labour/Co-operative 4, Plaid Cymru 2.