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Magnitsky Sanctions: Human Rights Abuses

08 December 2021

Lead MP

Chris Bryant
Rhondda and Ogmore
Lab

Responding Minister

Wendy Morton

Tags

Foreign AffairsBenefits & WelfareStandards & Ethics
Word Count: 9028
Other Contributors: 7

At a Glance

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

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:

Lead Contributor

Rhondda and Ogmore
Opened the debate
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.

Government Response

Wendy Morton
Government Response
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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About Westminster Hall Debates

Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.