Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

International Human Rights Day

08 December 2022 · 11 other contributors · 22,766 words

Opened by Margaret Ferrier SNP Rutherglen and Hamilton West

Responding minister: Anne-Marie Trevelyan

UkraineForeign AffairsWomen & Equalities

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Margaret Ferrier raised concerns about international human rights day in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about human rights violations in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Bahrain, Egypt, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe, including arbitrary detention, unfair trials, torture, and executions for non-violent crimes.
  • Fiona Bruce highlighted the persecution of individuals due to religious beliefs in countries like China, Tajikistan, Somalia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and raised concerns over blasphemy laws and death penalties for such offences.
  • Bruce asked the Government to resume publishing annual human rights reports and to support efforts at the UN General Assembly for a moratorium on the death penalty for blasphemy offences.

Key requests to Government

I ask the Government to resume publishing their annual human rights report and releasing updates on human rights cases. The reports provide a useful summary of action undertaken by the FCDO and demonstrate the UK Government's ongoing commitment to international human rights frameworks. Bruce asked the Government to support efforts at the UN General Assembly to call for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty for blasphemy offences. She also urged the Government to facilitate an immediate response to atrocity crimes, including genocide, and recommended that time be given for the Genocide Determination Bill to be considered.

How the debate unfolded

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

Opened the debate

Margaret Ferrier SNP Rutherglen and Hamilton West

I am concerned about the continued prevalence of authoritarian regimes and governments that commit serious human rights violations. The situation in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Bahrain, Egypt, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe remains challenging with issues such as arbitrary detention, unfair trials, torture, executions for non-violent crimes, and persecution of political prisoners and human rights defenders. Over 50% of those executed in Saudi Arabia were convicted on the basis of their participation in pro-democracy demonstrations; Iran continues to implement the death penalty for various offences including insulting the Prophet and same-sex relations; and in Egypt, thousands are unjustly imprisoned with poor conditions. In Tunisia, there is democratic backsliding following a coup by President Saied, who suspended Parliament and took wide-ranging powers. In her speech, Fiona Bruce highlighted the ongoing persecution and imprisonment of individuals across the world due to their religious beliefs. She cited cases such as Zhang Zhan in China, Shamil Khakimov in Tajikistan, Hanna Abdirahman Abdimalik in Somalia, Mubarak Bala in Nigeria, Shagufta Kausar and Shafqat Emmanuel in Pakistan, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu in Nigeria. Bruce also raised concerns over blasphemy laws and death penalties for such offences, stating that there are still 12 countries where individuals can be sentenced to death for blasphemy.

Other contributors (11)
  • Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland

    The hon. Gentleman suggested that if the Foreign Office now has evidence showing previous statements made by a Minister were incorrect, there should be a mechanism for the Minister to come to the House and explain why the mistake was made. Concerned about the use of death penalty in Bahrain, highlighting that six executions have occurred since the end of the moratorium. Stressed the importance of human rights organizations like Amnesty International and B'Tselem. Raised concerns over Hong Kong and Xinjiang province, where there is evidence of genocide and crimes against humanity. Emphasized the need to support legal actions at the International Criminal Court and called for an investigation into companies involved in infrastructure used to oppress Uyghur population. From his years in legal practice, Alistair Carmichael asserts that inefficiencies can be found within the UK's legal system without needing to look at Strasbourg. He highlights how the Human Rights Act is integral to the devolution settlements for Scotland and Wales and plays a crucial role in the Good Friday agreement and Northern Ireland's devolution setup.

  • Andrew Slaughter Lab Hammersmith and Chiswick

    Andrew Slaughter criticised the Government's double standards regarding Saudi Arabia, highlighting a ministerial correction that altered official statements on torture allegations. He urged for more regular publication of government findings to ensure accountability.

  • Bambos Charalambous Lab Southgate and Wood Green

    Discussed cases of human rights abuses, including those in Hong Kong, Cameroon, Russia, Cuba, Afghanistan, Iran, Egypt, and Tunisia. Called for more support from the UK Government to defend human rights in Iran and demanded consular assistance for British citizens detained abroad.

  • Brendan O'Hara SNP Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber

    Mr O'Hara highlighted the ongoing deterioration of human rights globally, citing numerous examples such as attacks on religious freedoms in Saudi Arabia, political prisoners in Bahrain, and violence against women in Afghanistan. He also emphasized the need for a comprehensive genocide prevention strategy from the Government.

  • Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda and Ogmore

    Chris Bryant pointed out that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office admitted making a ministerial correction because Saudi Arabia had requested it. He stressed that Saudi Arabia should not dictate Parliament's stance on human rights. Expressed concern about the rise of authoritarianism globally, the retention of death penalty in several countries, lack of human rights reports since July 2021, flip-flopping on foreign policy towards China and Saudi Arabia, and urged the government to take a robust stance on human rights issues. He also highlighted cases of persecuted individuals such as Sasha Skochilenko from Russia and Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara from Cuba. There are two other Russians we ought to acknowledge—high-profile cases of Vladimir Kara-Murza in prison and Alexei Navalny imprisoned after being poisoned by the Russian state. These individuals exhibit phenomenal courage. Asked when the next Government human rights annual report will be produced, noting it has not been published for nearly 18 months. Stated that he was nice after a remark from another speaker.

  • Chris Law SNP Dundee East

    He expressed concern about the lack of engagement between the Saudi regime and those advocating for human rights, urging the UK Government to take a stronger stance against violations in Saudi Arabia.

  • Diana R. Johnson Lab Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham

    Expressed concern about the violation of women's rights in Afghanistan, Iran, Ethiopia, Colombia, and Democratic Republic of Congo. Highlighted issues such as Taliban's oppression against women, Iran's population law promoting early marriage, gender-based violence in Ethiopia, risks faced by human rights defenders in Colombia, and ongoing conflicts affecting civilians in DRC.

  • Jeremy Corbyn Ind Islington North

    The hon. Member pointed out that it has been a consistent Foreign Office policy for about 10 years to reduce the number of human rights advisers in our embassies around the world. Mr. Corbyn congratulated the hon. Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West on securing today's debate, highlighting the importance of human rights legislation such as the Human Rights Act 1998 and the European convention on human rights. He criticized the government's lack of commitment to these principles and warned that walking away from them would undermine Britain's credibility in lecturing other countries about human rights abuses. Asks if the hon. Gentleman agrees that we need to keep up pressure on the Ethiopian Government to ensure UN Human Rights Council observers have unfettered access to all parts of the country. Asked how the Government could ensure food delivery into Afghanistan given the dire poverty situation and starvation, suggesting it would require cooperation with the de facto government.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Jim Shannon noted that between 500 and 600 people have been executed in Iran over the past year, advocating for stronger action against such countries violating human rights. Jim Shannon thanked the hon. Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West for securing the debate, highlighted the issue of women judges from Afghanistan who are still in temporary accommodation despite being at risk, and expressed concern about human rights abuses in Nigeria, citing 40,000 deaths in the last decade and 7,520 Christian killings in the last two years. He also mentioned atrocities committed by Boko Haram and Fulani herders against religious minorities. Inquired about the £64.6 million in aid provided to China, questioning why this is done despite human rights abuses and persecution issues there.

  • Patrick Grady Lab Glasgow North

    Echoed concerns about human rights abuses in Russia, Cuba, Iran, and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Emphasized the importance of supporting Amnesty International's work and highlighted issues related to refugees from Eritrea and food crises in East Africa. Criticised UK Government cuts to aid budget and expressed concern over proposed changes to human rights legislation in the UK.

  • Peter Bottomley Con Worthing West

    Supporting the debate, Peter Bottomley recommended that people visit the Upper Waiting Hall to see a display by PEN and Amnesty International about journalists arrested in Eritrea 21 years ago. He emphasised the importance of being a voice for those who cannot speak out.

Government Response

Anne-Marie Trevelyan

I thank the hon. Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West (Margaret Ferrier) for securing this important debate. The UK has a long-standing commitment to protecting and promoting human rights globally, focusing on multilateral work, bilateral relations, and targeted campaigns. In multilateral efforts, the UK supports UN Human Rights Council resolutions and raises concerns with countries like Iran and China over their human rights violations. Bilaterally, the UK works to support political progress in Bahrain and engages with Saudi Arabia regarding the Jamal Khashoggi murder case. The UK also provides £220 million of humanitarian support for Ukraine and has imposed sanctions on Chinese officials responsible for human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Concerns were raised about Egypt's legal process for recognising dual nationality, impacting consular access to Alaa Abd El-Fattah. The UK continues to advance priority issues through annual human rights reports and initiatives like preventing sexual violence in conflict, committing £12.5 million to a new three-year strategy.

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