Baroness Cox a renowned human rights campeigner and advocate

Baroness Caroline Cox is a renowned human rights campaigner and advocate whose global humanitarian efforts have earned her numerous accolades and widespread recognition. A former nurse and academic, she was appointed a life peer in 1982 and served as Deputy Speaker in the House of Lords for two decades. Between 1992 and 2001, she served as the founding Chancellor of Bournemouth University and held the position of Chancellor at Liverpool Hope University from 2006 to 2013. She is also the Honorary Vice President of the Royal College of Nursing.

Born into a family with deep roots in healthcare, Baroness Cox’s father was the esteemed surgeon Robert McNeill Love, co-author of the famous medical textbook Bailey and Love. She trained as a nurse at London Hospital before continuing her education, earning a First-class degree in sociology from the University of London and a Master’s degree in economics. She later taught sociology at the Polytechnic of North London, where she became Head of the Sociology Department. She then moved to Chelsea College, University of London, where she became Director of the Nursing Education Research Unit. Her academic work, which focused on sociology, academic freedom, and the political aspects of education, attracted the attention of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Baroness Cox the longest serving Life Peer

 

 According to Wikipedia, the longest-serving life peer is Baroness Cox (Crossbench), who is also the longest-serving female member of the House of Lords. She first took her seat on March 2, 1983.  [16]

From Hansard - Caroline Anne, Mrs. Cox, having been created Baroness Cox, of Queensbury in Greater London, for life—Was, in her robes, introduced between the Lord Trefgarne and the Lord Beloff.Baroness Cox.

Volume 439: debated on Wednesday 2 March 1983

Baroness Cox contributes to a question for short debate at the House of Lords: Christians: Persecution

Qustion for Short Debate, House of Lords, March 2024
Asked by

Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee

To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support persecuted Christians around the world.


"My Lords, I thank all those who have put down their names to speak tonight on this important but unfortunately largely ignored issue of the global persecution of Christians. I also thank the Minister for being here to respond. " Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee

Contribution by Baroness Cox

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for initiating this debate on such an important subject and introducing it so powerfully. I will focus on a detailed account of such persecution in two countries which I have visited many times and where I have had the painful privilege of meeting those directly suffering persecution. I will focus first on Nigeria. I am very pleased that it has already been highlighted in this debate because the situation there needs as much attention as possible.

There are almost 103 million Christians in Nigeria, which is almost half the country’s total population of 222 million. In the Muslim-majority north of the country, the proportion of Christians is much lower. This is traditionally where most of the persecution of Christians has happened. It continues to this day and continues to spread south. Such persecution is largely inflicted by Nigerian Islamist Muslims. I emphasise that the majority of Muslims in Nigeria are peaceable Islamic civilians. I make a distinction between “Islamic” and “Islamist”. Islam refers to those widespread and largely peaceful Muslim beliefs. Islamism refers to radical ideology, including movements such as Islamic State West Africa Province which are often associated with violence and persecution.

The current threat posed by North Korea

The current threat posed by North Korea

Taken from a House of Lords debate and contribution by Baroness Cox, 14th December 2023

The full text available through this link

My Lords, like other noble Lords, I am very grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Swire, for enabling us to have this debate and to discuss the current threats to peace, security and human rights posed by North Korea. I have been in North Korea three times, as my noble friend Lord Alton mentioned. I will never forget one occasion when I went for a walk in Pyongyang and I heard the footsteps of my minder following me. After about 10 minutes, the footsteps accelerated. He caught up with me and he said, out of breath, “I can’t keep up with you. You are going to have to walk alone”, which was wonderful. I walked through Pyongyang without a minder, and it was poignant how many people wanted to come up to speak to me and how they shared with great openness their deep concerns. It was a very special occasion.

Baroness Cox visits Washington DC

 

Baroness Cox is curently visiting Washington DC and would like to say thank you for everyone she has been able to meet and share news and views with and for all the kind comments on social media.

Plced here are some of the many comments of encouragement found on social media and news outlets -

Armenia Mission to United Nations ' An honour to welcome Baroness Caroline Cox at the Mission of Armenia to the UN. Thankful for a candid exchange of thoughts on Nagorno-Karabakh and the imperative of international action to ensure the right of return for the forcibly displaced people.'