Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 68
The UK Government is judged on how it cares for its citizens at home and...
Conclusion
The UK Government is judged on how it cares for its citizens at home and overseas. In Iran, the Government failed to assert and secure its rights under the Vienna Convention to provide consular assistance to UK nationals held in Iran. Moreover, the FCDO has been inconsistent in meeting its own commitments to supporting those arrested abroad. This failing, whilst not universal, is not confined to prisoners in Iran. If the recommendations in this report, and those of the MacGregor review, are implemented effectively, it should not be necessary to establish consular assistance as a legal right. However, if the situation does not improve, a legislative solution may be needed.
Government Response Summary
The Government states it is determined to deter and combat the practice of arbitrary detention for the purpose of diplomatic leverage and believes not making substantive concessions is an important part of discouraging this practice. HMG has maintained a consistent policy of not entering into prisoner exchanges involving British nationals detained overseas.
Paragraph Reference:
68
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
24. The Government is determined to deter and combat the practice of arbitrary detention for the purpose of diplomatic leverage. Such detentions generally occur in countries where human rights standards and the rule of law are poor, and/or where there is a challenging bilateral relationship. We believe not making substantive concessions is an important part of discouraging and deterring the practice of detaining foreign nationals for diplomatic leverage. HMG has maintained a consistent policy of not entering into prisoner exchanges involving British nationals detained overseas, for example, and has a well-known and long-standing policy of no concessions in terrorist kidnaps which we believe has ultimately worked to protect British nationals from hostage-taking.