Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 24
24
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 69
The UK Government, working with allies where possible, must use every means at its disposal...
Recommendation
The UK Government, working with allies where possible, must use every means at its disposal to secure the basic level of consular access it commits to provide for its nationals and that it is entitled to under international law—regardless of the perceived legitimacy of the charges or rigour of the legal system. This could include imposing a political cost (such as delaying negotiation on other bilateral issues), walking out of speeches given by offending countries, or exploring legal options through the various international treaty mechanisms. In its annual report to this Committee on cases of arbitrary detention and state hostage taking, the Government should demonstrate how it has fulfilled these minimum standards of service.
Government Response Summary
The Government is determined to deter and combat the practice of arbitrary detention for the purpose of diplomatic leverage by not making substantive concessions.
Paragraph Reference:
69
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.