Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Sixth Report - Stolen years: combatting state hostage diplomacy
Foreign Affairs Committee
HC 166
Published 4 April 2023
Government response
Sixth Special Report - Stolen years: combatting state hostage diplomacy: Government Response to the Committee’s Sixth Report · published 6 Jul 2023
Recommendations & Conclusions
2
Recommendation
Rejected
Para 14
We recommend that within the next 12 months the Government formalises and publishes guidance outlining...
Recommendation
We recommend that within the next 12 months the Government formalises and publishes guidance outlining criteria for determining whether the detention of a UK national by a foreign state is considered arbitrary and at risk of being used for state …
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Government Response Summary
The government does not agree to formalize and publish guidance on criteria for determining arbitrary detention, stating they use a multi-disciplinary task force approach to identify such cases and ensure any attempt to exert diplomatic leverage is identified quickly.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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13
Recommendation
Rejected
On balance, we believe that the MacGregor review’s recommendations do not go far enough and...
Recommendation
On balance, we believe that the MacGregor review’s recommendations do not go far enough and the interests of the affected families and those of the FCDO in securing detainee releases are best served by concentrating responsibility for handling these cases …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the creation of a Director for Arbitrary and Complex Detentions, stating the Foreign Secretary has primacy and they prioritise country-specific expertise and consular best practice, using senior geographic leads and a Director for Consular Services.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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25
Conclusion
Rejected
Para 76
The working assumption should be that families are partners who have the potential to be...
Conclusion
The working assumption should be that families are partners who have the potential to be instrumental in the attempts to resolve the detentions. Despite Government assurances, we do not believe that sufficient progress has been made in improving communication with …
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Government Response Summary
The government does not agree that a separate post of Director for Arbitrary and Complex Detentions should be established, noting the Foreign Secretary's primacy within Cabinet.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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26
Recommendation
Rejected
Para 77
We recommend that unless the detainee expressly withholds consent to do so, the families of...
Recommendation
We recommend that unless the detainee expressly withholds consent to do so, the families of any vulnerable or arbitrary detainee receiving consular assistance be provided by a senior manager or minister in the FCDO at the soonest possible time with …
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Government Response Summary
The government does not agree with establishing a separate post of Director for Arbitrary and Complex Detentions, as their approach reflects the Foreign Secretary's primacy within Cabinet and the importance of country-specific expertise and consular best practice.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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30
Conclusion
Rejected
The Government took longer to repay the IMS Debt than it needed to and the...
Conclusion
The Government took longer to repay the IMS Debt than it needed to and the eventual circumstances under which it was paid were unsatisfactory. We conclude that the only factors which changed and therefore allowed repayment in March 2022 were …
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Government Response Summary
The government disputes the committee's characterisation of the IMS debt repayment, stating it was done in compliance with sanctions and that UK-US relations remain close.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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31
Recommendation
Rejected
Para 91
The FCDO’s failure to have maintained robust travel advice on the front page of the...
Recommendation
The FCDO’s failure to have maintained robust travel advice on the front page of the website for Iran between 2016 and 2018 is a significant error which may have made UK nationals less safe in Iran and likely other countries …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of travel advice but declines to give tailored advice beyond what is already available, citing a commitment to avoid 'double standards' and directing individuals to existing travel advice resources.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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