Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 33
33
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 99
The arbitrary detention of UK nationals and their subsequent use in hostage diplomacy is a...
Conclusion
The arbitrary detention of UK nationals and their subsequent use in hostage diplomacy is a growing threat not only to the safety of individuals but also UK national security. A robust response and deterrence need to be developed to counter this. It is important that attempts to deter this practice in the future are decoupled from efforts to resolve current individual detentions. Although there may be a case for varying approaches to communication in individual cases, if the normalising of this tactic as a form of diplomacy is to be avoided the Government must be ready to use the strongest possible language to call-out serial abusers at a macro level, as they have done since 2019 with Iran.
Government Response Summary
The government explained the decision to exercise diplomatic protection for Mrs. Zaghari-Ratcliffe, noting it did not assist in securing her release due to Iran's refusal to recognize her British nationality.
Paragraph Reference:
99
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
33. The decision to exercise diplomatic protection formally raised Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s case to a state-to-state level. This was implemented in good faith having listened to the wishes of her family, and to the fullest extent possible but did not assist efforts to secure her release as Iran refused to recognise Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s British nationality. This was, and is, the reality for those unfairly detained in Iran, or where dual nationality is not recognised or permitted under local laws. Exercising diplomatic protection demonstrated to both Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s family and Iran how seriously we treated her detention but gave no additional political or legal tools in helping to secure her release. At all times, the FCDO took decisions in line with what it believed would produce the best outcome for Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe.