Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 64
64
Our predecessor Committee reported on the UK’s sanctions policy after Brexit and explored the possibility...
Conclusion
Our predecessor Committee reported on the UK’s sanctions policy after Brexit and explored the possibility of using Magnitsky sanctions against human rights abusers.146 The Foreign Secretary announced the UK’s first round of Magnitsky-style sanctions in July 2020 against nationals of Russia, Saudi Arabia, Myanmar and North Korea.147 Iran was notable by its absence, particularly as the international community is aware of many individuals within Iran known to have committed human rights abuses.148 Behnam Ben Taleblu told us that Global Magnitsky sanctions can and should be used to punish those engaged in human rights violations or gross acts of government corruption. […] The exact scale and scope of the penalty can be highlighted when being issued, and should remain in place until the behavior–in this case the detention of UK nationals–ceases by the relevant authority.149 The assessment was shared by Charlie Loudon who noted that “Magnitsky sanctions are well-suited to supporting behavioural change”.150 However, Dr Van Engeland took the opposite view, noting that sanctions could increase scrutiny on human rights but would be resented by already heavily sanctioned Iranians who would not draw an obvious link between sanctions and detained British and dual nationals.151 The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, James Cleverly MP, noted in correspondence to us in August that the FCDO would “continue to designate under the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations” and stressed the importance of ensuring “that all designations are underlined by a robust evidence case, ensuring that legal tests and policy objectives are met” but would not be drawn further.152 145 Tulip Siddiq MP (UKI0032), para 65 146 Foreign Affairs Committee, Seventeenth Report of Session 2017–19, Fragmented and incoherent: the UK’s sanctions policy, HC 1703, paras 11–19 147 UK announces first sanctions under new global human rights regime, FCO, 6 July 2020 148 Report to Congress List of Persons W
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We take careful note of the Committee’s recommendation. We currently impose sanctions against a number of Iranians involved in serious human rights violations and abuses under the UK’s autonomous Iran (Human Rights) sanctions regime, which came into force on 31 December 2020. We hope these sanctions will encourage the Government of Iran to comply with international human rights law and to respect human rights. The UK’s Global Human Rights (‘Magnitsky’) sanctions regime, established on 6 July 2020, also allows us to impose sanctions on individuals and entities involved in serious human rights violations or abuses around the world. The purposes of the sanctions regime are to provide accountability for, and deter, activity that would amount to a serious violations or abuses of the right to life; the right to not be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; and the right to be free from slavery, not to be held under servitude or required to perform forced or compulsory labour. We will continue to consider future sanctions designations, however, it would not be appropriate to speculate who may be designated, as to do so could reduce the impact of future designations.