Recommendations & Conclusions
14 items
56
Conclusion
Fifth report: No prosperity without jus…
Accepted
In its written evidence, the FCDO made clear that the strategies employed to secure the release of detained nationals vary by case.127 The intricacies of the negotiations and representations conducted by the FCDO in the pursuit of justice for detainees are rightly withheld from public consumption, but the FCDO noted …
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In its written evidence, the FCDO made clear that the strategies employed to secure the release of detained nationals vary by case.127 The intricacies of the negotiations and representations conducted by the FCDO in the pursuit of justice for detainees are rightly withheld from public consumption, but the FCDO noted that it makes requests for consular access to detained nationals where it is not automatically provided, such as with dual nationals.128 Another tactic has been to accord the detainee diplomatic protection, 122 Q22 [Charlie Loudon] 123 Q22 [Charlie Loudon] 124 Correspondence from the Minister of State for Asia, 19 November 2020 125 Review of Complex Consular Cases, House of Commons Library 126 Correspondence from the Minister of State for Asia, 19 November 2020 127 Foreign and Commonwealth Office (UKI0031), para 18 128 Foreign and Commonwealth Office (UKI0031), para 18 22 No prosperity without justice: the UK’s relationship with Iran although this has been dismissed by Iran when used for dual nationals.129130 Tulip Siddiq MP noted that despite the FCDO’s efforts to negotiate the release of Nazanin Zaghari- Ratcliffe, no real progress was made until covid-19 enabled her to be released on furlough.131 The limited range of options available was highlighted in October 2019 by Dr Andrew Murrison, the then Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, who stated: […] it is a sad fact that the tools in our toolbox are limited. What we can do is continue to make it clear to our interlocutors that this is not acceptable, right or proper, and that if Iran wants to restore its reputation, the early release of Nazanin and other dual nationals will go a very long way.132
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Government response AI summary
The government noted the committee's views and agreed that Iran should release all arbitrarily detained dual British nationals, outlining ongoing efforts to work with allies and repeatedly press Iran for exceptional consular access and medical care.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
58
Conclusion
Fifth report: No prosperity without jus…
Accepted
The principal part of international law concerned with hostage taking is the International Convention Against the Taking of Hostages, which came into force in 1983. Article 1 of the convention defines the offence of hostage taking.133 Any person who seizes or detains and threatens to kill, to injure or to …
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The principal part of international law concerned with hostage taking is the International Convention Against the Taking of Hostages, which came into force in 1983. Article 1 of the convention defines the offence of hostage taking.133 Any person who seizes or detains and threatens to kill, to injure or to continue to detain another person (hereinafter referred to as the “hostage”) in order to compel a third party, namely a State, an international intergovernmental organization, a natural or judicial person, or a group of persons, to do or abstain from doing any act as an explicit or implicit condition for the release of the hostage commits the offence of taking hostages (“hostage-taking”) within the means of this Convention.
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Government response AI summary
The government noted the committee's observation, stating it considers the International Convention against the Taking of Hostages in individual cases and continues to use UN and international fora to address arbitrary detention of foreign nationals.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
62
Recommendation
Fifth report: No prosperity without jus…
Accepted
Regardless of international comparisons, Charlie Loudon noted that “[a]vailable evidence gives a clear indication that the UK’s method has not worked so far, and that the UK needs to rethink its approach and work with other countries to better address Iranian hostage taking”.143 The sentiment was shared by Dr Vakil …
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Regardless of international comparisons, Charlie Loudon noted that “[a]vailable evidence gives a clear indication that the UK’s method has not worked so far, and that the UK needs to rethink its approach and work with other countries to better address Iranian hostage taking”.143 The sentiment was shared by Dr Vakil who stated that the UK “should be more proactive and find opportunities to negotiate with Iran specifically delinking the issue of dual nationals from other security challenges”.144 As a specific remedy, Tulip Siddiq MP suggested that These problems are all the more likely at a time when authoritarianism is on the rise around the world and international law is increasingly being 138 Britain denies £400 million debt to Iran linked to bid to free jailed aid worker, Reuters, Guy Faulconbridge, Paul Sandle, 16 November 2017 139 Q23 [Charlie Loudon] 140 Q23 [Charlie Loudon] 141 Q23 [Dr Sanam Vakil] 142 Q23 [Dr Anicée Van Engeland] 143 Q23 [Charlie Loudon] 144 Q23 [Dr Sanam Vakil] 24 No prosperity without justice: the UK’s relationship with Iran challenged […] HMG should be using its role on the world stage to forcefully call-out state hostage-taking and push for international agreements to curtail it.145
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Government response AI summary
The government noted the recommendation and affirmed its stance against dual nationals being used as diplomatic leverage. It stated it already uses UN and international fora to call out such behaviour and will continue to discuss these issues with likeminded countries.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
66
Recommendation
Fifth report: No prosperity without jus…
Accepted
The UK has been most successful at securing its objectives vis-à-vis Iran when it has committed to a long-term strategy alongside international partners. However, the UK’s relationship with Iran is bigger than Iran’s nuclear violations, malign regional activity, or human rights abuses. It is also a relationship between cultures and …
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The UK has been most successful at securing its objectives vis-à-vis Iran when it has committed to a long-term strategy alongside international partners. However, the UK’s relationship with Iran is bigger than Iran’s nuclear violations, malign regional activity, or human rights abuses. It is also a relationship between cultures and peoples and the story of their shared interests. Consequently, the FCDO should be prepared to accept that the UK’s existing relationships with the E3 and US, while important, cannot offer the fullest structure for diplomacy. The FCDO needs a renewed focus on understanding the motivations behind the actions of the Iranian State, and a clear effort needs to be made to differentiate between the Iranian State and the Iranian people.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the committee's broader view of the UK-Iran relationship and the need to differentiate between the state and people. To strengthen bilateral engagement, the FCDO has increased Farsi-trained personnel and extended tour lengths for postings in Iran, and continues to increase expertise …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
67
Conclusion
Fifth report: No prosperity without jus…
Accepted
Over the course of millennia, Persians have made significant contributions regionally and internationally to science, culture, poetry, maths and philosophy. The UK’s difficult relationship with the Islamic Republic has overshadowed its much longer relationship with Persia and the common ground values Britons share with Iranians. While it remains the right …
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Over the course of millennia, Persians have made significant contributions regionally and internationally to science, culture, poetry, maths and philosophy. The UK’s difficult relationship with the Islamic Republic has overshadowed its much longer relationship with Persia and the common ground values Britons share with Iranians. While it remains the right of the Iranian people to determine how they are governed, it equally remains the responsibility of the UK to call the Iranian State out for its human rights abuses where it falls short of international expectations.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the committee's views on Iranian contributions and the UK's responsibility to address human rights violations, detailing several recent actions taken at the UN and with allies to hold Iran accountable and affirming continued commitment.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
6
Recommendation
Fifth report: No prosperity without jus…
Accepted
We agree with the Foreign Secretary that the nuclear deal is imperfect, but Iran’s non-compliance over the last year has indicated what the nuclear proliferation implications of terminating the JCPOA without a viable replacement might be. A more satisfactory arrangement for all signatories is within reach but is not guaranteed. …
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We agree with the Foreign Secretary that the nuclear deal is imperfect, but Iran’s non-compliance over the last year has indicated what the nuclear proliferation implications of terminating the JCPOA without a viable replacement might be. A more satisfactory arrangement for all signatories is within reach but is not guaranteed. We recommend that the Government takes the lead amongst the E3 in discussions in the New Year with the incoming US Administration on the future of the JCPOA. It should aim to bring all parties back into full compliance and address the concerns of Gulf allies initially overlooked by the JCPOA, specifically; i) Ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads; ii) Sunset clauses; 28 No prosperity without justice: the UK’s relationship with Iran iii) Timely and public compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency inspection requests; and iv) International Atomic Energy Agency inspection of undeclared nuclear sites and material. The Government should be prepared to work with European and American partners to invoke the snapback of sanctions if full compliance is not achieved.
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Government response AI summary
The government agreed that terminating the JCPOA without replacement is not in the UK's interest, committed to working closely with E3 partners and the new US administration to deliver renewed transatlantic unity on the deal, and welcomed President Biden's desire to lengthen and strengthen the …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
8
Recommendation
Fifth report: No prosperity without jus…
Accepted
The UK’s history in the region, and relationship with the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, make it uniquely placed amongst the signatories of the JCPOA to build regional and international consensus on how to meet the challenges posed by Iran’s destabilising activity. This should form a core part …
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The UK’s history in the region, and relationship with the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, make it uniquely placed amongst the signatories of the JCPOA to build regional and international consensus on how to meet the challenges posed by Iran’s destabilising activity. This should form a core part of any strategy going forward to improve upon the JCPOA.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees the UK is well-placed to build regional consensus on Iran's destabilising activity and states it already engages closely with GCC members and will continue to work with regional partners, the E3, and the US to find a sustainable solution.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
10
Conclusion
Fifth report: No prosperity without jus…
Accepted
BBC Persian promotes the shared interests of free people around the world. The treatment of its staff and their families by Iran is abhorrent, and the Government is right to continue to call out these abuses in international fora.
Government response AI summary
The government welcomed the conclusion, expressed deep concern over harassment against BBC Persian staff, and stated they regularly raise these issues with the Iranian government and will continue to defend BBC Persian's editorial independence.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
11
Recommendation
Fifth report: No prosperity without jus…
Accepted
Iran will choose to uphold those parts of international law which suit the tenets or strategic goals of the Islamic Republic while disregarding the remainder, often at the expense of the Iranian people. The FCDO has made commendable efforts to tackle Iran’s human rights abuses and raise the plight of …
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Iran will choose to uphold those parts of international law which suit the tenets or strategic goals of the Islamic Republic while disregarding the remainder, often at the expense of the Iranian people. The FCDO has made commendable efforts to tackle Iran’s human rights abuses and raise the plight of victims of Iranian oppression through international fora. These efforts should be complemented through direct diplomacy with President Rouhani to encourage him to place human rights prominently on his domestic agenda. In particular, the freedom of BBC Persian staff to provide free quality journalism is of vital importance to Persian speakers throughout the region and should be prioritised.
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Government response AI summary
The government welcomed the committee's recognition and stated they will continue to express concerns about human rights violations to Iran, including through engagement with the president, and will continue to defend BBC Persian's editorial independence.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
12
Recommendation
Fifth report: No prosperity without jus…
Accepted
The Iranian people are the victims of the poor choices made by the Iranian state, yet they are too often a secondary consideration. The UK’s strategy going forward should rebalance this oversight. For the UK-Iran relationship to be meaningful and mutually beneficial, the UK must invest in strengthening cultural ties, …
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The Iranian people are the victims of the poor choices made by the Iranian state, yet they are too often a secondary consideration. The UK’s strategy going forward should rebalance this oversight. For the UK-Iran relationship to be meaningful and mutually beneficial, the UK must invest in strengthening cultural ties, fostering exchanges, and building upon common values shared with the Iranian people. (Paragraph 46) No prosperity without justice: the UK’s relationship with Iran 29
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the mutual benefit of enhancing cultural ties and states it has consistently supported such exchanges without erecting barriers, but highlights Iran's criminalisation of cooperation as an obstacle, confirming continued support and defence of the British Council.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
14
Recommendation
Fifth report: No prosperity without jus…
Accepted
The MacGregor Review offers the single best insight into the changes which need to be made within the FCDO to better equip it to deal with complex ‘consular cases’. We welcome the Government’s commitment to its recommendations but are concerned that this undertaking comes over a year since the review …
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The MacGregor Review offers the single best insight into the changes which need to be made within the FCDO to better equip it to deal with complex ‘consular cases’. We welcome the Government’s commitment to its recommendations but are concerned that this undertaking comes over a year since the review was finalised. We recommend that the FCDO continues to implement the recommendations of the MacGregor Review and provides the Committee with annual updates on its progress.
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Government response AI summary
The government reaffirms its commitment to implementing the MacGregor Review's recommendations, stating it began implementation immediately, and will update the committee on progress as part of ongoing engagement.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
18
Recommendation
Fifth report: No prosperity without jus…
Accepted
The UK has been most successful at securing its objectives vis-à-vis Iran when it has committed to a long-term strategy alongside international partners. However, the UK’s relationship with Iran is bigger than Iran’s nuclear violations, malign regional activity, or human rights abuses. It is also a relationship between cultures and …
Read more
The UK has been most successful at securing its objectives vis-à-vis Iran when it has committed to a long-term strategy alongside international partners. However, the UK’s relationship with Iran is bigger than Iran’s nuclear violations, malign regional activity, or human rights abuses. It is also a relationship between cultures and peoples and the story of their shared interests. Consequently, the FCDO should be prepared to accept that the UK’s existing relationships with the E3 and US, while important, cannot offer the fullest structure for diplomacy. The FCDO needs a renewed focus on understanding the motivations behind the actions of the Iranian State, and a clear effort needs to be made to differentiate between the Iranian State and the Iranian people.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government agreed with the importance of a broader relationship and distinguishing between the Iranian State and people. It stated it has already strengthened bilateral engagement by increasing Farsi language training and extending tour lengths for FCDO staff in Iran, and is deepening expertise through …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
19
Recommendation
Fifth report: No prosperity without jus…
Accepted
Over the course of millennia, Persians have made significant contributions regionally and internationally to science, culture, poetry, maths and philosophy. The UK’s difficult relationship with the Islamic Republic has overshadowed its much longer relationship with Persia and the common ground values Britons share with Iranians. While it remains the right …
Read more
Over the course of millennia, Persians have made significant contributions regionally and internationally to science, culture, poetry, maths and philosophy. The UK’s difficult relationship with the Islamic Republic has overshadowed its much longer relationship with Persia and the common ground values Britons share with Iranians. While it remains the right of the Iranian people to determine how they are governed, it equally remains the responsibility of the UK to call the Iranian State out for its human rights abuses where it falls short of international expectations.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government agreed with the committee's view and confirmed its responsibility to call out Iran's human rights abuses. It detailed numerous recent and ongoing actions taken to hold Iran accountable, including statements at the Human Rights Council, joint letters, co-sponsoring UN resolutions, and publishing updates.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
20
Recommendation
Fifth report: No prosperity without jus…
Accepted
Engagement with Iran should not be an end goal in and of itself. Rather, engagement should seek to encourage Iran to play a positive, constructive and predictable role as a regional power, which uses international norms, respect for human rights and the rule of law as the basis for its …
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Engagement with Iran should not be an end goal in and of itself. Rather, engagement should seek to encourage Iran to play a positive, constructive and predictable role as a regional power, which uses international norms, respect for human rights and the rule of law as the basis for its actions. At its heart, a strategy must send a clear message: that Iran’s destabilising activities are unacceptable because they adversely impact the region and its peoples, but that when the time comes, the door is open to diplomacy. (Paragraph 68) No prosperity without justice: the UK’s relationship with Iran 31
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the committee, stating that it will continue to keep the diplomatic door open for dialogue with Iran, send clear messages regarding nuclear compliance, and engage in ongoing discussions about Iran’s regional role.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office