Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

International Human Rights Abuses: UK Response — [Dame Maria Miller in the Chair]

24 January 2024 · 12 other contributors · 12,802 words

Opened by Sarah Owen Lab Luton North

Responding minister: David Rutley

Foreign AffairsWomen & Equalities

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Sarah Owen raised concerns about international human rights abuses: uk response — [dame maria miller in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Ms Owen is concerned about the UK's inconsistent response to human rights abuses in Gaza and Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Ms Owen urges the government to address aid blockades in Gaza and to engage Indian authorities on rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The UK government has made five human rights pledges to the United Nations and implements sanctions against individuals involved in repressive activities in various countries.

Key requests to Government

Ms Owen urges the government to correct its approach in Gaza, particularly regarding aid routes being blocked and requests to open crossings being denied. She also asks for dialogue with Indian authorities about abuses in Jammu and Kashmir and for a commitment to promote a truth and reconciliation commission initiative to Ministers' Indian counterparts.

How the debate unfolded

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

Opened the debate

Sarah Owen Lab Luton North

Ms Owen is concerned about the lack of consistency in the UK's response to human rights abuses, citing specific instances in Gaza and Jammu and Kashmir. She notes that over 24,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since 2023, with half of them being children. Additionally, she mentions arbitrary arrests, illegal airstrikes against churches and refugee camps, and the potential for genocide as reported by UN human rights experts. In Jammu and Kashmir, there is an ongoing crackdown on rights, including internet access control, arbitrary detentions, and police killings without accountability.

Other contributors (12)
  • Afzal Khan Lab Manchester Rusholme

    Described the situation in Gaza as a violation of international relations and humanitarianism, criticising the Government for not calling for a ceasefire. Also raised concerns about Islamophobia and human rights abuses against Muslims. He thanked his hon. Friend for her work on the all-party parliamentary Kashmir group and highlighted the threat of a death sentence hanging over Mohammad Yasin Malik, stressing the importance of not being complacent about resolving human rights issues in Kashmir as three nuclear powers are involved.

  • Alex Sobel Lab Co-op Leeds Central and Headingley

    He asked the Government to press Indonesia and the UN for a visit to West Papua, where over half a million people have been killed since Indonesian occupation began and 70,000 are internally displaced.

  • Alyn Smith SNP Na h-Eileanan an Iar

    Mr. Smith emphasised the importance of international human rights and multilateralism for Scotland's independence aspirations. He highlighted the UK's role in creating human rights frameworks but criticised recent actions, such as breaking international law under the Northern Ireland protocol. He also called for greater investment from the UK in NGOs, UN mechanisms, journalists, and prioritising human rights in trade policies.

  • Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth

    She congratulated her hon. Friend on an excellent speech, focusing on human rights abuses in Palestine and Kashmir, highlighting the horrors she witnessed during a visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories in 2014. She called for an immediate ceasefire, safe return of hostages, unrestricted humanitarian aid, and end to the siege on Gaza. Additionally, she raised concerns about Khurram Parvez's detention without trial and Yasin Malik's unsafe conviction under international laws. Debbie Abrahams asked the Minister why the UK was not discussing the death penalty sought against Yasin Malik, a freedom-fighting activist.

  • John Martin McDonnell Lab Hayes and Harlington

    Raised the case of Carol Ng Man-yee and Lee Cheuk-yan from Hong Kong who were detained for their trade union activities, calling on the Government to press for their release. John Martin McDonnell raised concerns about the targeting of journalists in Gaza, particularly mentioning Shireen Abu Akleh's death. He cited at least 83 journalists killed since 2022 and called for an independent inquiry into journalist killings by the Israeli Defence Forces. McDonnell urged the UK Government to raise this issue with Israel and work towards accountability.

  • Lyn Brown Lab Tottenham

    Concerned about the lack of attention to conflicts in Sudan and Gaza, Lyn Brown highlighted the deaths of tens of thousands in Sudan since April last year, with up to 7.6 million people forcibly displaced. She discussed a UN panel report detailing atrocities such as mass killings and rapes in El Geneina city and raised concerns over weapons sources. The speaker also criticised the UK's inconsistent approach towards human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), citing the M23 militia's involvement and questioned the Government's support for Rwanda due to migration deals, impacting relations with DRC negatively.

  • Mark Logan

    Congratulated the hon. Member on securing the debate and expressed agreement that the Foreign Office must constantly monitor Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law in Gaza.

  • Mary Foy Lab City of Durham

    Mary Foy focused on the situation in Palestine, emphasizing the importance of a ceasefire after two Roman Catholic women were shot dead inside a church. She highlighted the humanitarian crisis, including over 25,000 deaths and the suffering of women and children, urging the Government to take action and reconsider their position.

  • Patrick Grady SNP Glasgow North

    Paid tribute to Sir Tony Lloyd's commitment to human rights, highlighted the importance of raising concerns in Nigeria regarding state harassment and Boko Haram violence, called for support from UK Government on issues in Pakistan and China, advocated for Magnitsky sanctions against individuals committing gross human rights violations, emphasized the need for respect for human rights in trade deals and aid funds, urged legislative measures to hold companies accountable for human rights abuses.

  • Ruth Smeeth Lab Nantwich

    Ms Smeeth agrees with Ms Owen's points, emphasizing the importance of addressing human rights abuses in Kashmir and their impact on UK constituencies. She highlights the need for a truth and reconciliation commission to address these issues.

  • Tan Dhesi Lab Slough

    Highlighted concerns from Slough constituents regarding the safety of their family and friends in Kashmir, urging both Indian and Pakistani Governments to protect human rights there.

  • Zarah Sultana Your Party Coventry South

    She highlighted recently released court documents revealing the Foreign Office's doubts about Israel's compliance with international law since early in the Gaza war. The documents showed serious concerns over Israel's adherence to IHL and the Government's decision to continue arms sales despite these doubts, suggesting a lack of transparency and accountability. Zarah Sultana repeated her question about why Foreign Office Ministers did not reveal concerns about Israel's compliance with international law as early as 10 November. She also inquired why the Foreign Secretary recommended continuing arms sales to Israel despite potential human rights violations.

Government Response

David Rutley

The Government believes in the importance of human rights and has made five human rights pledges to the United Nations, including supporting human rights defenders and equal rights for women, disabled people, and LGBT+ persons. The UK continues to hold human rights abusers accountable through sanctions against individuals linked to repressive activities in countries like Belarus, Haiti, Iran, and Syria. Minister highlights the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and Pakistan, Muslims, Buddhists, and Baha'is. He expresses support for freedom of religion or belief and acknowledges the work of human rights defenders like Quinto Inuma Alvarado in Peru. The UK has led resolutions at the UN Human Rights Council on Sudan, Somalia, girls' education, Russia, and Afghanistan. Minister discusses Ukraine's Office of the Prosecutor General's record of over 120,000 incidents of war crimes, murder, rape, and deportation of children. He mentions the imprisonment of Vladimir Kara-Murza in Russia for opposing the illegal war in Ukraine. The UK also expresses concern about Gaza and Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law, noting that Ministers review advice carefully before acting consistently with it. On export licences, all are kept under continuous review to ensure adherence to strategic export licensing criteria. Regarding South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice on Israel and Gaza, the Government does not support it as they believe Israel has a right to defend itself against Hamas. The UK recognises human rights concerns in Kashmir but leaves resolution up to India and Pakistan. Concerning Rwanda, the Home Secretary has clarified that legislation does not challenge the UK's relationship with the European Convention on Human Rights. Issues of China's human rights violations in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong are raised consistently by the UK at high levels. The Government calls for the repeal of the national security law in Hong Kong and Jimmy Lai's release. Iran's oppressive hijab laws and reprisals against women and human rights defenders have led to sanctions on 94 individuals and entities for human rights violations.

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