Prominent human rights campaigner Lord (Eric) Avebury will be guest of honour at a tribute dinner in Wembley on Sunday 9 September.
The dinner is being organised by local resident Arvind Patel, who has known Lord Avebury for over 40 years, on behalf of Brent Liberal Democrats. The event will mark Lord Avebury’s 84th birthday and celebrate his tireless work for human rights and the Asian community in particular.
Lord Avebury is remembered by many for the help and support he gave during the East African crisis of 1972 which resulted in many Asian families arriving in London from Uganda in a state of near destitution. Arvind’s family were among those helped by Lord Avebury.
Among his many contributions to public life he sat on the Royal Commission on Standards of Conduct in Public Life 1974-6, and was Liberal Spokesman on Immigration and Race Relations, 1971-83. In 1976 he founded the Parliamentary Human Rights Group, and chaired it for 21 years. He speaks frequently on conflict resolution and human rights. He has been co-chair of the Chittagoong Hill Tracts Commission (promoting implementation of the Peace Accords of 1997 with the Bangladesh Government) since April 2008.
Lord Avebury (then known as Eric Lubbock) was Liberal Member of Parliament for Orpington 50 years ago and served in the House of Commons between 1962 and 1970. He was elected in a spectacular by-election campaign and overturned an enormous Conservative majority.
Brent Liberal Democrat chair Afifa Pervez said:
We are delighted to welcome Lord Avebury to Wembley to celebrate his birthday and pay tribute to his many achievements. He was a champion for human rights and fair treatment of all races and communities at a time when these values were not as widely accepted as they are now. He continues to challenge our society to do better.
The event will take place on Sunday 9 September at the Blue Room Restaurant, 53 Wembley Hill Road HA9 8BE. Tickets for a three-course Indian meal are £20 per person. Speakers will include Lord Avebury and Sarah Teather MP.
Contact Freda Raingold (020 8205 4716 / brentliberaldemocrats@gmail.com) to reserve tickets.
