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 AI-generated
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.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
99
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government · verbatim extract
Acknowledged
62. The Government agrees that it must combat the use of arbitrary detention for diplomatic leverage on a macro level as well as specific instances involving British nationals. The Government agrees that international solidarity is key to combatting the abhorrent practice of arbitrary detention for diplomatic leverage. Canada led the way on international action, with support from the UK including through the UK’s 2021 G7 Presidency. We are pleased that since the launch of the Canadian initiative in February 2021, a further 15 countries have signed the declaration, to bring the total to 72, plus the European Union. We also work with other groups of affected countries on specific areas of concern.
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