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Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime
06 July 2020
Lead MP
Dominic Raab
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Foreign AffairsBenefits & WelfareStandards & Ethics
Other Contributors: 44
At a Glance
Dominic Raab raised concerns about global human rights sanctions regime in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Government are introducing a new autonomous human rights sanctions regime to target those involved in the worst human rights abuses. This includes travel bans and asset freezes for individuals violating rights to life, freedom from torture, and freedom from slavery or forced labour. The first designations include individuals and organisations responsible for the murders of Sergei Magnitsky, Jamal Khashoggi, and the Rohingya population, as well as those involved in North Korea's gulags.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda
The hon. Member acknowledged that he has continued to support the issue of human rights sanctions since it was first raised.
Lindsay Hoyle
Speaker
Chorley
The Speaker commented positively on Chris Bryant's persistence.
Lisa Nandy
Lab
Wigan
Strongly welcomes the statement and praises the Foreign Secretary's efforts. Acknowledges Sergei Magnitsky's work and supports action against Russian officials who oppress minorities and use chemical weapons. Welcomes actions against those involved in Jamal Khashoggi's murder but calls for a consistent approach towards Saudi Arabia. Supports including trafficking and Rohingya people from Myanmar in the measures. Expresses concern over excluding corruption, citing David Cameron's regret for not acting earlier on this issue. Calls for all names to be published, including those subject to visa bans. Requests transparency in the process and independent oversight of the list.
Dominic Raab
Con
15:43:00
Thanked Lisa Nandy for her support and addressed her queries about corruption, overseas territories, and Crown dependencies. Confirmed work is ongoing on incorporating corruption into the measures. Stated designations will be published online to ensure transparency.
Thomas Tugendhat
Con
Tonbridge
Praised the Foreign Secretary's foreign policy decisions, including sanctions against human rights violators and corruption cases. Noted silence on China regarding Uyghur minority in Xinjiang and democracy activists in Hong Kong. Acknowledged Oliver Bullough and Luke Harding for their work highlighting problems within the UK system.
Dominic Raab
Con
15:43:00
Responded to Thomas Tugendhat's concerns about China, mentioning a statement led by 27 countries on human rights issues in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. Stated the UK will consider further suggestions based on evidence but would not pre-empt future designations.
Alyn Smith
SNP
15:43:00
Expressed support for the measures while noting surprise at early media coverage of them. Highlighted importance of international cooperation, especially with EU and Five Eyes partners. Asked about interaction between the UK measures and British overseas territories to avoid loopholes in tax transparency. Cited Open Democracy report on financial crime and abuse by Scottish limited companies.
Chingford and Woodford Green
Congratulated Dominic Raab for naming those involved in Magnitsky case and Saudi Arabia, raising concerns about China's human rights abuses. Asked if the government would be prepared to sanction high-level individuals like Carrie Lam despite pressure from big business.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Congratulated Raab on his statement, highlighting its importance for future human rights law development. Emphasised the need to focus on China and Hong Kong and suggested that the Intelligence and Security Committee be established soon.
Andrew Mitchell
Con
Sutton Coldfield
Congratulated Raab on announcing Magnitsky measures, asking for transparency in their implementation and greater parliamentary input.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Expressed delight at the announcement, urging consideration of repression of democracy and freedom of speech as criteria. Suggested that Carrie Lam should be included on the list due to suppression in Hong Kong.
Congratulated Raab for adding substance to global Britain's values regarding human rights, specifically mentioned Ramzan Kadyrov and President Putin. Noted the case for sanctions against these individuals.
Supported the measures introduced by Dominic Raab, suggesting his Tibet (Reciprocal Access) Bill to confront serial human rights abusers.
Hilary Benn
Lab
Leeds South
Warmly welcomed the Foreign Secretary’s statement, asking for clarification on whether powers apply globally and what further anti-corruption measures he intends to introduce.
Dominic Raab
Con
Paid tribute to the right hon. Gentleman for his work on human rights; mentioned asset-freezing powers and visa bans as part of the Magnitsky model; stated that legal definitions of corruption are an issue; emphasised the need to proceed based on evidence and independent assessment.
Felicity Buchan
Con
Welcomed the statement; asked for assurances regarding fearless implementation, targeting individuals from ally states, and decision-makers who order human rights abuses.
Kirsten Oswald
SNP
Asked whether the UK would stand up to allied countries committing UN-confirmed systemic human rights violations; questioned why trade with Saudi Arabia surpasses aid given to Yemen and called for consequences in the sanctions regime.
Robert Courts
Con
Welcomed the statement as a decisive action towards holding accountable those who commit human rights abuses; asked whether this was just the first step in a broader review.
Tan Dhesi
Lab
Slough
Welcomed the introduction of the sanctions regime but criticised delays in publishing the Russia report and forming the Intelligence and Security Committee, questioning the Government's credibility.
Gary Sambrook
Con
Welcomed the announcement; agreed that it would act as a deterrent to those who commit human rights abuses for personal gain.
Afzal Khan
Lab
Manchester Rusholme
Asked whether Israeli annexations and bulldozing of Muslim cemeteries warrant sanctions under the regime; questioned the Government's position on a two-state solution.
Imran Ahmad Khan
Con
Welcomed the statement and highlighted ongoing human rights abuses against Uighurs and other religious minorities in China, calling for further action.
John Cryer
Ind
Asked about transparency of lobbying firms; suggested amending the Transparency of Lobbying Act to increase financial transparency and combat corruption.
Tobias Ellwood
Con
Welcomed the establishment of sanctions tools for a robust stance on human rights breaches; asked for an announcement regarding China's foreign policy stance.
Brendan O'Hara
SNP
Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Asked whether the application of the sanctions regime would be transparently even-handed and not blind to human rights abuses committed by allies like Saudi Arabia or Israel.
Jeremy Hunt
Con
Godalming and Ash
Congratulates the Foreign Secretary on his commitment to human rights, emphasising the need for consequences for those who violate democratic values. Suggests an independent process similar to arms export compliance for designating individuals.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Compliments the Foreign Secretary's strong stand on human rights, urging action against Chinese officials responsible for mistreatment of Uighurs and forced organ harvesting in Xinjiang. Calls for closer alignment with US counterparts.
Welcomes the statement and commitment to rule of law in international affairs. Asks the Foreign Secretary to ensure continued access to policing and judicial cooperation with EU partners post-transition period.
Andrew Gwynne
Ind
Gorton and Denton
Supports the sanctions and asks the Foreign Secretary to proactively gather intelligence on human rights abuses from civil society, both domestically and internationally. Requests consideration of designations related to Hong Kong’s new national security law.
Welcomes the statement and asks if it shows that the Government will act without fear or favour when human rights are at stake.
Emma Hardy
Lab
Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Welcomes the sanctions, emphasising their effectiveness as a punishment and deterrent. Inquires about provisions in secondary legislation to ensure that perpetrators’ agents and nominees are also punished.
Kieran Mullan
Con
Bexhill and Battle
Pays tribute to Sergei Magnitsky, emphasising the importance of making a difference. Asks about countries with similar regimes and how we plan to collaborate on best practices.
Yasmin Qureshi
Lab
Bolton South and Walkden
Welcomes the statement but questions why the Commonwealth Development Corporation is investing in a Myanmar telecommunications company that suppresses evidence of human rights abuses against the Rohingya.
Gagan Mohindra
Con
South West Hertfordshire
Welcomes the sanctions regime and asks whether it ensures the UK upholds freedom of religion and belief around the world.
Congratulates the Foreign Secretary on the human rights sanctions regime, urging him to extend measures to include corruption and designate people based on corruption charges by Christmas.
Kevin Brennan
Lab
Cardiff West
Welcomed the designation of Saudi Arabia individuals responsible for Jamal Khashoggi's death and asked the Foreign Secretary to commit to securing the release of his constituent Luke Symons held by Houthis in Yemen.
Dominic Raab
Con
Esher and Walton
Praised Kevin Brennan's advocacy on behalf of his constituent, acknowledged that non-state actors aiding human rights abuses would also be targeted under the new regime, promised to publicise names of individuals responsible for human rights violations in North Korea, assured Patricia Gibson that women's rights issues were raised with Saudi Arabia, reassured Desmond Swayne about legal scrutiny of sanctions designations, agreed with Chris Matheson on the importance of following financial ties, acknowledged Edward Leigh's point regarding persecution of Christians and discussed ongoing work to protect freedom of religion or belief, and committed to sanctioning human rights abusers in friendly countries.
Andrew Selous
Con
South West Bedfordshire
Welcomed the reference to North Korea's gulags but asked for more publicity on individuals responsible for these crimes globally.
Patricia Gibson
SNP
North Ayrshire and Arran
Welcomed the announcement but pressed for justice at the heart of the sanctions regime, specifically asking for support to women human rights defenders in Saudi Arabia and assurance that these women would not be overlooked.
Desmond Swayne
Con
New Forest West
Asked how existing human rights law could prevent sanctions against listed individuals from being thwarted.
Chris Matheson
Lab
Alyn and Deeside
Congratulated the Foreign Secretary on his efforts, asked if regulations would allow following financial ties of abusers to prevent them from being used as fronts by family or associates, and expressed hope that such measures could deter future abuses.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Asked whether the regime would be used to target those who deliberately persecuted Christians in various parts of the world.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Fulham
Called for sanctions on human rights abusers in close trading and political allies such as Bahrain, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, specifically mentioning Zuhair Abdullah and Husain Rashid who face imminent execution in Bahrain.
Darren Henry
Con
Vauxhall
Asked for assurance that the Government would continue to work with other countries to ensure perpetrators of human rights violations are held accountable, reinforcing the UK's position as a defender of international human rights.
Government Response
Responded positively to concerns raised, emphasised evidence-based approach, openness to suggestions for strengthening the regime, and commitment to transparency in implementation. Responds positively to the questions raised by other MPs. Acknowledges the importance of evidence-based decision making, collaboration with international partners, and strengthening the regime in future months. Acknowledged each speaker’s concerns and committed to various actions such as publicising names of individuals responsible for abuses in North Korea, ensuring justice is at the heart of sanctions regime, following financial ties of abusers, targeting those persecuting Christians globally, supporting women human rights defenders, and continuing efforts with other countries to hold perpetrators accountable.
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