Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon to Baroness Hayter, dated 26 April

This is the government's response, published 27 April 2022.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The Government sets out its policy on Russia's participation in international organisations, stating that it will consider action case by case within each organisation, including suspension or exclusion in some instances.

• When considering action, it will take into account factors including "the legality of the action, coordination with our allies in the international community, and the potential wider policy implications", including the need for dialogue with Russia on global issues of peace and security.
• It says that "in some instances, we may judge it appropriate to seek to suspend, or exclude, Russia", citing the Council of Europe and the UN Human Rights Council among examples pursued with allies.
• Where exclusion or suspension is "not a viable option", it says the UK has worked with allies on other actions: condemnation, referral to monitoring and accountability mechanisms, and isolating Russia within organisations.
• On the Marine Aids to Navigation Convention, it says the new organisation is "unlikely to be established for some time" and that, when it is, it "would intend to take the same stance, as appropriate" in its administrative organs.

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