Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Magnitsky Sanctions: Human Rights Abuses

08 December 2021 · 7 other contributors · 9,028 words

Opened by Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda and Ogmore

Responding minister: Wendy Morton

Foreign AffairsStandards & Ethics

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Chris Bryant raised concerns about magnitsky sanctions: human rights abuses in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Mr Chris Bryant raised concerns about human rights abuses in Xinjiang, Iran, Sudan, and Rwanda.
  • Mr Bryant asked the Government to sanction individuals responsible for human rights abuses in these regions.
  • The Government established a global human rights sanctions regime under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 on July 6, 2020.

Key requests to Government

Mr. Bryant asks the Government to sanction individuals responsible for human rights abuses such as Chen Quanguo in Xinjiang, Ali Rezvani in Iran, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo in Sudan, and Johnston Busingye and Colonel Jeannot Ruhunga in Rwanda. He also requests a proper parliamentary process to assess the addition of individuals to the Magnitsky sanctions list.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda and Ogmore

Mr. Chris Bryant is concerned about human rights abuses across the globe, particularly in regions like Xinjiang where Uyghur Muslims face mass detention, forced sterilization, and other forms of torture. He also highlights cases in Iran involving arbitrary detentions and torture for diplomatic leverage and mentions recent military coups in Sudan which have resulted in violence against protesters. Additionally, he brings up the case of Paul Rusesabagina from Rwanda, emphasizing that justice should be served to those responsible for his enforced disappearance and imprisonment.

Other contributors (7)
  • Afzal Khan Lab Manchester Rusholme

    The hon. Member for Manchester Rusholme agreed with his friend's speech and pointed out that the Government must take steps to introduce further Magnitsky sanctions, including on Chen Quanguo and his deputies. I did not wish to speak, Mrs Miller. Khan called for a commitment from the Minister to examine the findings of the Uyghur Tribunal when its judgment comes out on Thursday.

  • Gareth Thomas Lab Co-op Harrow West

    The hon. Member for Harrow West expressed gratitude to his friend for securing the debate and mentioned that he hoped to raise the case of General Shavendra Silva at a future session. Mr Thomas highlighted the case of General Shavendra Silva, the chief of defence staff and commander of the Sri Lankan army. He cited evidence of widespread human rights abuses during the conflict in 2009, including extrajudicial killings and torture. On April 9, the International Truth and Justice Project submitted a dossier to the UK Department detailing General Silva's involvement in these violations. Mr Thomas questioned why similar restrictions have not been imposed on General Silva under the Magnitsky sanctions.

  • Iain Duncan Smith Con Chingford and Woodford Green

    Discussed the need for the UK to take further action against human rights abuses, particularly highlighting China's treatment of Uyghurs, Tibetans, Christians, Falun Gong practitioners, and Inner Mongolians. He also mentioned individuals from Iran, Sudan, and Rwanda who should be sanctioned under Magnitsky sanctions.

  • Layla Moran Lib Dem Oxford West and Abingdon

    The hon. Member for Oxford West and Abingdon thanked the chair for their speech and expressed support for Magnitsky sanctions, mentioning that tomorrow would be an ideal time to announce sanctions against Chinese Communist party officials such as Chen Quanguo.

  • Martin Docherty SNP West Dunbartonshire

    He expressed concern about the use of Scottish limited partnerships to facilitate financial transactions that undermine human rights and democratic governance, citing an investigation by openDemocracy which found that Scottish limited partnerships were linked to over $128 million worth of equity in companies owned by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He also raised concerns about the impact of these entities on democracy in Uzbekistan and highlighted the case of Hong Kong where freedoms and democracy are being undermined.

  • Stephen Doughty Lab Co-op Cardiff South and Penarth

    Tragically, human rights abuses are on the rise globally. The Magnitsky sanctions have given us the power to stop violations against civilians without subjecting them to broader-brush sanctions that could harm them. Stephen Doughty also expressed concern about the number of individuals sanctioned by the UK compared to other countries such as the US, which designated 340 individuals, while the UK only designated 78 this year.

  • Tim Loughton Con East Worthing and Shoreham

    He expressed frustration over the slow progress of implementing Magnitsky sanctions, calling for more thorough investigations into assets and stricter trade boycotts against countries violating human rights. He also questioned how the Foreign Office decides who to sanction under the Magnitsky regime and why the UK has not sanctioned as many individuals as the US.

Government Response

Wendy Morton

I thank the hon. Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) for tabling this debate and appreciate his valuable cooperation as chair of the all-party parliamentary group, along with other colleagues on the APPG. The Government established the global human rights sanctions regime under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 on July 6, 2020. This regime targets individuals and entities involved in serious human rights violations or abuses rather than entire countries, reinforcing our ability to defend the rules-based international system. Since launching the global human rights sanctions just under a year ago, the Government have designated nearly 80 individuals and entities, demonstrating their commitment to standing up for human rights and minority groups in Belarus, Myanmar, China, Russia, and North Korea. For example, on March 22, the UK sanctioned four Chinese government officials and an entity for their role in serious human rights violations against Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. In addition to our new human rights sanctions, we launched a global anti-corruption sanctions regime on April 26, which gives us means to impose anti-corruption sanctions on individuals anywhere in the world. Since its launch, we have designated 27 individuals involved in serious corruption from nine different countries. We continue to pursue such designations and promote our values around the world using powers under both our global human rights and anti-corruption sanctions regimes throughout the year of action, starting with the US-hosted summit for democracy on International Anti-Corruption Day and International Human Rights Day. On specific cases like Sudan, Rwanda, Kashmir, and Ethiopia, we condemn abuses, press for accountability, and follow closely initiatives raising awareness of situations faced by minorities. We work very closely with partners such as the US, Canada, the EU, Australia to ensure UK sanctions are most effective when backed up by coordinated collective action.

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