Human Rights and Democracy: the 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

Home , Community of Democracies, Elections in Somaliland, Hazara nationalism, Minister for Africa, Nasrin Sotoudeh, Rehman Chishti

Human Rights & Democracy The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

Presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Affairs by Command of Her Majesty

July 2021

Cp 458 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3.

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned. This publication is available at www.gov.uk/official-documents. Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to us at Communications Team, OSHR Directorate, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, King Charles Street, SW1A 2AH. ISBN 978-1-5286-2732-0 CCS0621833840 07/21 Printed on paper containing 75% recycled fibre content minimum

Printed in the UK by the APS Group on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office

Designed in-house by the FCDO Communication Directorate

Cover image: Play time in a primary school in Pakistan. Play is an important part of a child’s early development helping to mature their language and communication skills. In 2020, the UK worked closely with Pakistan to further access to education and realise gender equality. Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

Contents

Preface by the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab...... iv

Foreword by the Minister for Human Rights, Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon...... v

Chapter 1: Human Rights and Democracy Priority Themes...... 2

Democracy and Democratic Freedoms...... 2 Westminster Foundation for Democracy...... 2 The Community of Democracies...... 3 Transparency and Open Government...... 3 Civil Society...... 3 Freedom of Expression...... 3 Human Rights Defenders...... 4 Restrictions of Civil Society Space...... 4 Media Freedom...... 6 Freedom of Religion or Belief...... 7 Post-Holocaust Issues...... 9 Gender Equality...... 10 Women and Girls’ Rights...... 10 Violence against Women and Girls...... 10 Women, Peace and Security...... 11 Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative...... 11 Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment...... 12 Girls’ Education...... 12 Children and Armed Conflict...... 13 The Rights of the Child...... 13 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT+) Rights...... 13 Modern Slavery...... 15 Human Rights and the Private Sector...... 16 Business and Human Rights...... 16 Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights...... 17 Private Security Companies...... 17 Responsible Sourcing of Minerals...... 17 The Kimberley Process...... 17 Death Penalty and Torture Prevention...... 18 Overseas Security Justice Assistance...... 18 Export Controls...... 19 Migration and Human Rights...... 19 Economic and Social Rights...... 20 Women’s Economic Empowerment...... 20 Rights of People with Disabilities...... 20 Rights of Older Persons...... 20 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health...... 20 Nutrition, Water, Sanitation and Land...... 21 Social Protection...... 21 Overseas Territories...... 21 Human Rights and Democracy Programmes...... 22 Case Studies of Programme Work...... 23

Chapter 2: Human Rights and the Multilateral System...... 24

Human Rights at the UN...... 24 Human Rights Council...... 24 Country Issues...... 24 Thematic Issues...... 25 Universal Periodic Review...... 25 Treaty Monitoring Bodies and Special Procedures...... 26 UN Security Council...... 26 Responsibility to Protect and Mass Atrocity Prevention...... 26 Peacebuilding...... 26 Peacekeeping...... 27 Commonwealth...... 27 Human Rights Council Joint Commonwealth Statement—a Commonwealth First...... 27 Commonwealth COVID-19 and Racism Statements...... 27 Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group...... 28 Gender Equality and Inclusion...... 28 Europe...... 28 Council of Europe...... 28 Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe...... 29 European Union...... 29 International Criminal Justice...... 30 Sanctions...... 30

Chapter 3: Consular Assistance...... 32 Death Penalty...... 32 Torture and Mistreatment...... 32 Overseas Prisoners...... 33 Forced Marriage...... 33

Chapter 4: Human Rights Priority Countries...... 34

Afghanistan...... 34 Bahrain...... 35 People’s Republic of Bangladesh...... 36 Belarus...... 37 Central African Republic...... 38 China...... 39 Colombia...... 41 Democratic People’s Republic of Korea...... 42 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

Democratic Republic of Congo...... 42 Egypt...... 44 Eritrea...... 45 Iran...... 46 Iraq...... 47 The State of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories...... 48 Libya...... 49 Mali...... 50 Myanmar (Burma)...... 52 Nicaragua...... 54 Pakistan...... 55 Russia...... 56 Saudi Arabia...... 57 Somalia...... 58 South Sudan...... 59 Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka...... 61 Sudan...... 62 Syria...... 63 Turkmenistan...... 64 Uzbekistan...... 65 Venezuela...... 66 Yemen...... 67 Zimbabwe...... 68 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

Preface by the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab

2020 was a very challenging year. In addition to its grave health impacts, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated a number of negative trends, including the erosion of human rights and democracy in different parts of the world. It has provided an opportunity for unscrupulous and opportunistic governments to increase repression and flout international law.

Against this backdrop, the UK played to end the practice of arbitrary a critical role as a champion of open, arrests, detentions or sentencing. democratic societies, human rights We are ready to stand up for our and the rule of law, including through values in the face of human rights our G7 Presidency and as co-chair of violations, fraudulent elections and the global Media Freedom Coalition. attacks on democracy—for example In September, we merged FCO in countries including Russia, and DFID—bringing diplomacy and China, Myanmar and Belarus. development together to maximise We have continued to stand up Saudi Arabia, Myanmar, DPRK, our impact, placing our world-class for the rights and freedoms of the Belarus, Chechnya, Venezuela, The aid programme at the beating heart people of Hong Kong. We have Gambia and Pakistan. Our Global of our foreign policy decision- called out China’s egregious actions, Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regime making. Defending open societies, alongside our international partners. launched in 2021 completes the UK’s including human rights, is one of We launched a new immigration Magnitsky sanctions framework. the seven strategic priorities for our route for British Nationals (Overseas) This will prevent corrupt actors development work. The new Foreign, providing many of those that feel from using the UK as a haven for Commonwealth and Development they need to leave with another dirty money, while combatting Office is now working to tackle option for doing so. We also took corruption around the world. the world’s greatest challenges in a number of further steps in 2020, a modern and innovative way. In these challenging times, we including suspending indefinitely our will continue to bring to bear all of We set out our vision for the new Extradition Treaty with Hong Kong the diplomatic and development department and for the UK’s role in and extending our arms embargo on levers available to us to defend the the world in the Integrated Review mainland China to cover Hong Kong. international rule of law and the of Security, Defence, Development We have challenged and exposed rights and freedoms of the most and Foreign Policy, titled ‘Global human rights violations together oppressed and most vulnerable Britain in a competitive world’. It with our like-minded partners and around the world. This is the mission is the most comprehensive and through multilateral bodies, such of Global Britain as a force for good. far-reaching foreign and security as the Human Rights Council. policy strategy published by a Underlining our commitment to British Government in decades. upholding international laws and We want to see a world that is safe for norms, the UK has been re-elected open and free societies to thrive, and to the UN Human Rights Council, we are confident and ambitious about and at the International Criminal our role as a protector of human Court we have seen the elections rights and a beacon of democratic of Joanna Korner as Judge and sovereignty. That’s why we are Karim Khan as Chief Prosecutor. leading campaigns on the freedom With the UK’s Global Human Rights of religion or belief, media freedom, sanctions regime, we have imposed Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, sanctions on the perpetrators. In LGBT+ rights, and girls’ education. 2020 the UK imposed sanctions on We have also joined with Canada and individuals and entities in Russia, over 50 other partners in working Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

Foreword by the Minister for Human Rights, Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon

The Government’s Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy—our vision for Global Britain—places a major focus on championing human rights, democratic values, good governance, the rule of law, and open societies. This is central to our role as a force for good in the world.

This FCDO Annual Human Rights and more difficult, as they seek to & Democracy Report looks at the defend and promote the rights of human rights situation around the minority groups or indeed document world in 2020. It demonstrates violations or champion reform. The how the COVID-19 pandemic has FCDO continued to support human exacerbated many human rights rights defenders in 2020, including issues, and disproportionately by monitoring cases, observing impacted marginalised and trials, and raising issues with host vulnerable groups. It highlights governments, for example in Iran, some of the actions we have taken, Colombia, Turkey and Thailand. as a government and with our The report covers many of the issues partners, bilaterally and in multilateral focus. In June, the UK delivered a on which we are most active. A free fora, in support of human rights ground-breaking joint statement and fearless objective media is vital and those who defend them. at the Human Rights Council on for accountability in all parts of our behalf of 28 countries, urging China This is the first report published by lives. Supporting press freedom and to allow access for independent the new Foreign, Commonwealth journalists has continued to be a observers, including the UN High and Development Office. It major priority for this government. Commissioner for Human Rights. therefore reflects the importance Several new countries joined We continue to call for this access and strength of diplomacy and our Media Freedom Coalition in as a matter of great urgency. development working side-by- 2020, swelling the alliance to 42 side to defend human rights and Studies show that the pandemic has states, including all G7 countries. democracy around the world. brought disproportionately heavy Our High Level Panel of Legal consequences for women and girls. The 2020 report covers 31 Human Experts industriously worked on To counter the surge in violence Rights Priority Countries. The list ways to improve legal protections against women during 2020, we is reviewed periodically, taking into for journalists and independent funded programmes in Kenya, Nepal account the human rights situation, media. We continued to be the and across the Western Balkans the trajectory of change, and the lead contributor to the UNESCO to make sure victims of violence UK’s ability to make a positive Global Media Defence Fund. could access help and refuge during difference in each country. This Moreover, our programme to the pandemic. We also kick-started year, Burundi and Republic of strengthen media standards and a global follow-up programme to Maldives have been removed from protections continued to deliver our highly successful ‘What Works the list, while Belarus, Mali and results, for example in Ethiopia, to Prevent Violence’ initiative. Nicaragua have been added. Bangladesh and Sierra Leone. In July, seven years of UK support to There is no doubt that 2020 was Freedom of Religion or Belief the Sudanese-led movement bore a difficult year. The pandemic has (FoRB) has been another priority fruit, when the Sudanese Government strengthened the arm of authoritarian throughout the year. The report outlawed female genital mutilation. In rulers and we’ve tragically witnessed details how we have built new like- October, to rally international support a scaling up of egregious abuse of minded alliances and strengthened for girls’ education, we developed human rights. For those courageous existing ones. In December, the two new targets for low and middle and brave souls who call out Prime Minister appointed Fiona income countries to meet by 2025: such abuses, including human Bruce as his new envoy on FoRB. to get 40 million more girls into rights defenders, it has made their Violations against Uyghur Muslims primary and secondary school; and crucial role both more important in Xinjiang have also been in sharp to get a third more girls reading by Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

the age of ten. All G7 countries have our new Global Human Rights I am proud of our record on human now signed up to these targets. Sanctions Regime—a powerful rights, but this area of our work new tool of deterrence and will always need to be sustained We have continued to make good accountability—and immediately as a priority as there remains so progress on our Preventing Sexual imposed sanctions against 49 much more to be done. With the Violence in Conflict Initiative. In individuals or entities involved in a UK successfully re-elected to the June, I was part of the launch range of human rights violations UN Human Rights Council for the of the UK-backed Murad Code and abuses around the world. 2021-23 term, we are well positioned for global consultations. It will to keep pursuing this work and strengthen work with survivors to Human rights issues connect to strengthening alliances to stand up investigate, document and record many other areas of policy. For for the persecuted and oppressed. crimes. In November, I launched example, when making decisions We are committed to continue the ‘Declaration of Humanity’ and, on trading relations, our international supporting vital programmes, through it, successfully encouraged obligations and commitments, and working with our partners faith, belief and community leaders including on human rights, are always to defend and promote human to speak out on the issue and of paramount importance. We believe rights around the world. Simply denounce the stigma faced by that political freedom and the rule of put it’s the right thing to do. survivors of sexual violence. law are vital underpinnings for both long term prosperity and stability. Earlier and most notably in July, the Foreign Secretary introduced CHAPTER 1: Human Rights and Democracy Priority Themes 2

CHAPTER 1: Human Rights and Democracy Priority Themes

Democracy and political institutions and promote political systems fairer, more Democratic Freedoms good governance. In Nigeria, inclusive, and more accountable. the UK funded and supported Working closely with partners, Nigerian civil society groups to Promoting democracy and WFD helped parliaments operate observe voting during elections defending democratic freedoms effectively during lockdowns, in Edo and Ondo states. The UK are fundamental to the UK’s scrutinised government responses, played a leading role, working foreign policy. We believe that and ensured oversight of emergency with partners in the international strong democratic institutions and spending. Ensuring that COVID- community, to help ensure credible accountable governments, which related laws and policies were elections in Guyana in March. uphold universal rights and the rule gender-sensitive was a key goal of law, are key building blocks for in WFD programmes, for example secure and prosperous states. Westminster Foundation in Morocco and Malaysia. We witnessed a number of for Democracy WFD helped young people get challenges to democracy in the The Westminster Foundation for involved in politics in Nigeria[2], world in 2020 exacerbated by Democracy (WFD) is an executive Uganda[3], North Macedonia[4] the COVID-19 pandemic. There Non-Departmental Public Body and Bosnia and Herzegovina[5]. was further evidence of the focused on supporting democracy They worked with the parliament retreat of democracy and a rise overseas. It is an important in Sierra Leone[6] to submit its in authoritarianism. In 2020, the and distinctive part of the UK’s first report on implementing the NGO Freedom House recorded a diplomatic and soft power efforts. UN Convention on the Rights of decline in global freedom for the We continued to work closely with Persons with Disabilities, and the [1] 15th consecutive year . COVID-19 WFD during 2020, and funded their parliament of North Macedonia brought the interdependence of work to bolster and strengthen to adopt the Declaration for Active democracy and human rights human rights by making countries’ Political Participation of Persons with into even sharper focus, with governments using the crisis to restrict civil liberties further and to entrench repressive measures. The UK continued to defend democracy through support to electoral processes. In 2020, the UK funded observers to election observation missions run by the Organization for Security and Co- operation in Europe (OSCE). In Georgia, we funded three long- term observers to parliamentary elections in November; in Moldova we funded two long-term observers to presidential elections in November; and eight to Ukraine to observe the local elections in October. Through our Embassies Hon. Timothy Amwayi, Member of Kakamega County Assembly, and High Commissions, the UK Kenya, speaks at the Commonwealth Partnership for Democracy (CP4D) closing conference, which was held in London on 4 March continued to support democratic 2020. Copyright Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD).

[1] https://freedomhouse.org/article/new-report-global-decline-democracy-has-accelerated [2] https://www.wfd.org/2020/11/20/young-parliamentarians-at-the-heart-of-advancing-youth-interests-in-nigeria [3] https://www.wfd.org/2020/06/08/east-african-youth-call-for-involvement-in-navigating-the-covid-19-response [4] https://www.wfd.org/2020/05/11/students-spending-lockdown-in-extra-curricular-classes-in-north-macedonia [5] https://www.wfd.org/2020/06/12/cost-of-youth-emigration-from-bosnia-and-herzegovina-2 [6] https://www.wfd.org/network/sierra-leone 3 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

Disabilities. In The Gambia, WFD support adherence to common General Assembly in September, facilitated assessments[7] of the effect democratic values and standards Minister for Human Rights, Lord Tariq which the COVID-19 response had as outlined in the 2000 Warsaw Ahmad of Wimbledon highlighted had on women and disabled people. Declaration. The COD celebrated that the work of the OGP was now its 20th anniversary on 26 June, more important than ever[12]. WFD launched a programme in and signatories to the Warsaw Bangsamoro[8] (in the Philippines) Convention, including the UK, on 27 to help local government transition June pledged to continue to uphold Civil Society through a peace process, while core democratic values. This included working towards gender equality and the right of every person to equal good governance. In the Western Freedom of Expression access to public service and to take Balkans, WFD worked with the part in the conduct of public affairs, Freedom of expression is essential human rights and gender network directly or through freely chosen to functioning democracies, of MPs[9], supporting parliaments in representatives. Signatories also and enables a full range of other promoting human rights and gender agreed to strengthen the institutions human rights. People need to be equality. Through its environmental able to challenge and hold their [10] and processes of democracy. democracy initiative , WFD provided governments to account through technical assistance to parliaments in open discussion and debate. This Pakistan and Indonesia to advance Transparency and allows innovation to thrive, ideas the environmental protection agenda. Open Government to develop, and leads to more WFD led the FCDO-sponsored The COVID-19 response and recovery secure and prosperous societies. programme, the Commonwealth demonstrated that transparency, The right to freedom of expression Partnership for Democracy, openness and freedom of the exists online as well as offline. The which helped 18 Commonwealth press are crucial to preventing UK is committed to a free, open, countries improve the corruption and supporting an peaceful and secure internet. In 2020, representation of women, young effective COVID-19 recovery. The the NGO Access Now documented[13] people, people with disabilities, and UK supported and promoted at least 155 internet shutdowns the LGBT+ community. Successes transparency, accountability and in 29 countries, including during included training 3,000 student participation, which are fundamental elections, so disrupting democratic leaders in Ghana and supporting to open and inclusive societies. We processes. We continued to support three disability rights bills in Kenya. continued to work through multilateral Access Now and its #KeepItOn In October, WFD launched a new engagement and innovative campaign, which brought together FCDO-funded programme with global projects to deliver this. a coalition of 243 organisations from Kaleidoscope Trust, to tackle 105 countries to counter internet discrimination against women, In 2020, the FCDO continued to support the Open Government shutdowns. The UK also worked girls, and LGBT+ people in 13 Partnership (OGP) globally through to defend a free, open and secure Commonwealth countries. a £12 million programme to drive internet though our membership WFD also recruited international open government reforms in of the Freedom Online Coalition election observers for the UK, Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, (FOC), a partnership of 32 countries, sending observers to participate Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South working to advance internet in missions in a range of Africa and Sri Lanka. The OGP freedom. In May, the FOC issued countries, including Kyrgyzstan, supported countries to integrate open a statement[14] on COVID-19 and Kazakhstan and Moldova. government approaches into their internet freedom, expressing concern COVID-19 responses and recovery. about the human rights implications In Nigeria, the OGP worked with of some measures introduced by The Community of governments in response to the Democracies civil society organisations to establish citizen monitoring of economic pandemic. In November, the UK and We continued to work with the stimulus and social protection Finland led a statement by the FOC Community of Democracies (COD)— packages. Speaking at the OGP’s calling on governments to refrain alongside 30[11] other states that Virtual Leaders’ Summit at the UN from conducting and sponsoring

[7] https://www.wfd.org/2020/12/14/learning-from-gambias-covid-19-response-and-its-impact-on-marginalized-groups [8] https://www.wfd.org/network/bangsamoro-philippines [9] https://www.wfd.org/2020/11/02/wfd-initiates-pls-processes-in-the-western-balkans-help-improve-legislation [10] https://www.wfd.org/approach/environmental-democracy [11] https://community-democracies.org/values/governing-council [12] https://www.opengovpartnership.org/events/open-government-partnership-2020-virtual-leaders-summit [13] https://www.accessnow.org/cms/assets/uploads/2021/03/KeepItOn-report-on-the-2020-data_Mar-2021_3.pdf [14] https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/FOC-Joint-Statement-on-COVID-19-and-Internet-Freedom-1.pdf CHAPTER 1: Human Rights and Democracy Priority Themes 4

disinformation campaigns, and to crucial to promoting the rights of their implementation of Colombia’s take active steps to respect human fellow citizens and to contributing 2016 peace agreement. There rights, democracy and the rule of law. to the long-term reform and were indications that the situation development of their countries, by had worsened as a result of the In Tanzania, there were increasing documenting human rights violations COVID-19 pandemic, as illegal restrictions on freedom of expression and acting as agents of change. armed groups took advantage of it around national elections: the UK to increase their control over some was deeply troubled by reports In 2020, HRDs played an areas. In addition to the support of violence and heavy-handed important leadership role in provided to at-risk HRDs through policing; arrest of opposition leaders; protecting democracy and civic UK-funded programmes, a virtual and a social media and internet space where governments used visit by Lord Tariq Ahmad in October slowdown. The Minister for Africa, COVID-19 to justify the restriction allowed us to raise our concerns James Duddridge, and officials of human rights and the rule of law. with the Colombian government. at the British High Commission in According to the NGO Frontline Tanzania raised our concerns directly Defenders[15], at least 331 HRDs In Turkey, HRDs in particular with the Tanzanian Government. In were killed in 2020 across the were targeted for their work, often Rwanda, critical voices continued world. Other HRDs were threatened, under harsh counter-terrorism to face heavy restrictions. The UK arbitrarily detained, placed under legislation. We attended trials of raised concerns about specific surveillance or disappeared. high profile HRDs, and lobbied the cases with the Government of Turkish government at ministerial Our diplomatic network provided Rwanda, underlining the need to level on individual cases. support to HRDs, including by allow opposing voices to hold the monitoring cases, observing In Thailand, we continued to be government to account. This included trials, and raising issues with host concerned about the protection of the case of Kizito Mihigo, a prominent governments. We continued to HRDs in light of disappearances and musician and reconciliation activist, use the document ‘UK support for a resumption of the use of the lèse who died in police custody in Human Rights Defenders’ (published majesté law[17] and other charges February. In Algeria, freedom in July 2019[16]), which sets out our to limit freedom of expression. The of expression continued to be approach to engaging with HRDs, UK raised the issue with the Thai subject to restrictions, with reports and how we work with them to Government. We actively supported of arbitrary arrests of journalists further human rights globally. We civil society through project and human rights activists. The will continue to work closely with funding, direct engagement with UK monitored cases closely, and partners to consider what more activists and HRDs, and activities underlined the importance of can be done to support HRDs. in partnership with like-minded freedom of expression regularly Embassies. UK-funded programmes with the Algerian government, In Iran, HRDs continued to be supported training to equip HRDs including with the Interior Minister, targeted and imprisoned for with digital skills, and legislative Tayeb Belaiz, in November 2020. helping the most vulnerable. On 22 reform to tackle strategic litigation September, the FCDO summoned against public participation. the Iranian Ambassador and handed Human Rights Defenders over a joint letter from the UK, French Support for human rights defenders and German Foreign Ministers, Restrictions of Civil (HRDs) is an important part of the expressing our concern about Society Space UK government’s human rights the grave human rights violations 2020 was a difficult and challenging work. Minister for Human Rights, inside Iran. We drew particular year for civil society amid the Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon attention to the imprisonment of fallout from COVID-19, with high reaffirmed this support in his renowned human rights defender levels of polarisation, discontent message on International Human Nasrin Sotoudeh, and urged and democratic backsliding. The Rights Defenders Day on 9 Iran to improve her treatment. CIVICUS Monitor[18] attested that December, when he thanked HRDs In Colombia, the situation continued 87% of the world’s population now around the world for their courage to be serious for HRDs. The UN live in countries rated as “closed”, and unwavering determination in confirmed that at least 120 HRDs “repressed”, or “obstructed”—an fighting for human rights. HRDs play had been killed in 2020, an increase increase of over 4% from 2019. a crucial role, often at great risk to on 2019, and called these killings Restrictions on civic freedoms themselves, in defending the full one of the greatest threats to the affected some groups more range of human rights. They are

[15] https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/sites/default/files/fld_global_analysis_2020.pdf [16] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-support-for-human-rights-defenders [17] A law banning all criticism of the monarchy. [18] An independent research tool built by the CIVICUS global civil society alliance on the state of civil society freedom across the world. See: https://monitor.civicus.org/about 5 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

than others, particularly women, of civil society, political and human India suspended operations after youth, the LGBT+ community, rights activists, and increased its bank accounts were frozen for and those working on labour threats against journalists. The allegedly breaching the Foreign and environmental issues. Egyptian government restricted Contributions Regulations Act. In civil society space further in Turkey, civil society continued to be We were concerned about the response to COVID-19 with regard to restricted, with many organisations decline in civic space conditions in association, assembly and protest. facing government investigation into the Philippines due to the targeting The government amended or their activities. The UK continued to of HRDs and journalists and called extended several laws on the closure promote and fund a variety of civil out specifically the continued of civic space targeting journalists, society organisations, as well as actions against Maria Ressa. In media and healthcare officials. In hosting them at the Embassy in panel Iraq, 2020 saw a number of killings September, Amnesty International discussions on issues such as media

Case Study: #ENDSARS Protests in Nigeria In October 2020, there were protests in cities across The UK Government remains concerned by reports Nigeria calling for an end to police brutality, prompted that the Nigerian authorities threatened protesters, by a viral video which appeared to show Special Anti- panel members and members of civil society Robbery Squad (SARS) officers shooting and killing groups, including through freezing some bank a young man in southern Nigeria. The SARS police accounts and banning individuals from international unit had already been at the centre of a number of travel. It is essential for accountability that an allegations of police brutality. Protesters pushed for the environment is created where individuals feel free unit to be disbanded, and called for wider police reforms to raise concerns, including through the panels. and accountability. As the protests grew in number, The UK government is a long-term supporter of police there were some clashes between protesters and the reform in Nigeria. Between 2016 and 2020, we provided Nigerian security services, including the police and training to the Nigerian police on human rights and army. Protesters and civil society groups alleged that community policing; strengthened accountability and the Nigerian Army shot and killed a number of civilians oversight bodies, for example through organising during protests on 20 October in Lekki, Lagos State. meetings which brought together civil society groups, In response to the events in Lekki, the Foreign Secretary, the Nigerian National Human Rights Commission Dominic Raab, issued a statement[1] calling for an end to and the police to resolve complaints; supported the violence and for the Nigerian Government urgently police-community engagement through community to investigate reports of brutality by its security services safety partnerships; and supported the development and hold those responsible to account. Minister for of annual policing plans. This work was focused in Africa, James Duddridge, made clear the Government’s Lagos, Borno, Enugu and Kano states, and the Federal support for the right to peaceful protest. He spoke Capital Territory. As a result, relationships between to Nigerian Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, to communities and the police started to improve in express his deep concern at the violence and ask the these states, with communities and the police working Nigerian Government for an account of events. British together to resolve safety and security issues. High Commissioner in Abuja, Catriona Laing, also We supported civil society efforts to secure the raised the protests, and the need for those responsible successful passage of the new Police Act, which for events at Lekki to be held accountable, with came into force in September 2020. The Act representatives of the Nigerian Government, including clearly set out the responsibilities for the police and the President’s Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari. provided for greater citizen protections. Implemented We welcomed the Nigerian authorities’ subsequent effectively, the Act will be an important step towards decision to disband SARS. We also welcomed their a more transparent and accountable police force. establishment of judicial panels of inquiry in many In 2021, we will continue to urge the Nigerian security Nigerian states, including Lagos, to investigate alleged services to uphold human rights and the rule of law incidents of brutality by the security services, both in all operations, investigate any incidents of brutality, historic incidents and those that occurred during the and hold those responsible to account. We will follow protests. In November, the Minister for Africa also the response to the panel’s findings closely. We will spoke to the President’s Chief of Staff, to emphasise work with our partners in support of more transparent the importance of the panels, and to the Governor of and accountable security services in Nigeria. Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to stress the importance of the police and military’s cooperation with the panels.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-statement-on-protests-in-nigeria CHAPTER 1: Human Rights and Democracy Priority Themes 6

freedom and legislation governing members, where terms of reference year programme, launched in 2019 internet management. In Indonesia, and priorities were unanimously and implemented by a consortium the UK continued to monitor closely agreed, took place in January, and led by BBC Media Action, continued the situation in the Papua region the Coalition thereafter issued a to work in Ethiopia, Bangladesh and continued to lobby at ministerial number of statements on cases of and Sierra Leone to support media level for access by international concern around the world, including organisations to protect and increase journalists. The UK fully respects on the situation in Belarus[20]. their delivery of high-quality public Indonesia’s territorial integrity, interest content. The programme High Level Panel of Legal including the provinces of Papua and mentored media organisations to Experts: an independent advisory West Papua. We continued to lobby help them develop better business panel of 15 distinguished lawyers, at ministerial level for access for models, identify new funding focused on improving legal international journalists to the region. streams, and strengthen engagement protections for journalists and for a with their audiences. It also worked The UK supported civil society free and independent media. The with a wide coalition of defenders of activists, including through funding Panel’s first report[21]—on the use of freedom of expression, to advocate for civil society organisations and sanctions as a tool to protect media change in the media environment, women’s groups, and others freedom—was launched in February. and better defend media freedom pursuing justice and accountability. The UK’s global human rights in these three countries. Through UK Aid Connect, the FCDO sanctions regime, subsequently supported local civil society in the launched in July, adopted a number The UK participated in a number Middle East and North Africa in of the Panel’s recommendations of media freedom events during navigating the increasingly repressive on how to use sanctions to protect 2020. As co-chair of the Coalition, media environment in the context journalists. In November, the Panel the Foreign Secretary Dominic of the pandemic. The UK funded published three further reports, on Raab presented the inaugural the PROTECT[19] consortium to strengthening consular services to Canada-UK Media Freedom Award combat closing civic space and journalists at risk, providing safe to the Belarusian Association of tackle threats to media freedom in refuge for journalists, and advice Journalists in recognition of their Kenya, Malawi and Myanmar. for promoting more effective continued commitment to journalistic investigations into violations and ethics and principles in the face a abuses against journalists[22]. sustained and brutal crackdown Media Freedom on independent media in Belarus. Global Media Defence Fund: In December, he spoke at the The UK continued its commitment to the UK leads and supports the ministerial meeting of the World Press supporting media freedom in 2020, UNESCO-administered Fund, aimed Freedom Day Conference, where working with media organisations at ensuring effective legal assistance he reaffirmed the UK’s commitment and civil society around the world and support to civil society and to using its G7 presidency to to deliver projects to protect and journalists, including training and champion media freedom. support journalists, including through media development. The UK has the FCDO’s Magna Carta Fund committed £3 million over five years The UK was concerned by the for Democracy and Human Rights to the Fund. The first tranche of attempts of some states to use and the cross-Whitehall Conflict, projects supported by the Fund the COVID-19 pandemic to restrict Security and Stability Fund. The UK’s launched in October, consisting press freedom and debate, abuse work on media freedom focused of 110 proposals from all regions journalists and spread disinformation. on several initiatives, including: of the world and targeting over 50 The UK remained concerned Media Freedom Coalition: countries. These projects covered about the deteriorating situations Afghanistan, Cyprus, Japan, an array of issues, including help in a number of countries where Botswana, Belize, Australia, Spain to provide legal advice and safety journalists continue to be under and Italy joined the Media Freedom training for journalists. The Fund also threat. In Egypt, for example, foreign Coalition in 2020, bringing the total supports the work of the High Level journalists continued to face difficulty membership to 42, including all Legal Panel, and offers support to obtaining press permits and, in G7 countries. Coalition members countries in developing National March, the British correspondent commit to raise media freedom Action Plans for media freedom. for The Guardian was expelled after claiming that COVID-19 cases were at home and abroad, share best Protecting Independent Media being underreported. In November, practice, and lobby on cases. for Effective Development Minister for Human Rights, Lord Tariq The first meeting of Coalition (PRIMED) programme: This four-

[19] The Protecting Rights, Openness and Transparency—Enhancing Civic Transformation (PROTECT) programme, implemented by a consortium led by Article 19. [20] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/belarus-joint-statement-by-media-freedom-coalition-on-the-detention-of-journalists [21] https://www.ibanet.org/Media-Freedom-Sanctions-report-launch-2020.aspx [22] https://www.ibanet.org/HRI-Secretariat/Reports.aspx#enforcement 7 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

Ahmad, expressed the UK’s concern In Ethiopia, several journalists and The UK remains committed to at the situation faced by journalists editors were arrested and detained championing media freedom around in Egypt and, as co-chair of the without charge, or were intimidated. the globe, both bilaterally and through Media Freedom Coalition, the UK The UK raised its concerns with the Media Freedom Coalition. In released a statement[23] expressing the Government of Ethiopia, and 2021, we will use our G7 Presidency concern at the arrest and intimidation UK programmes continued to to promote media freedom, of individuals associated with the help the media sector operate in a including through greater support independent news website Darb. professional and independent way. to the Media Freedom Coalition, the Global Media Defence Fund, and In Indonesia, we supported a In Zimbabwe, we welcomed the improved co-ordination in Official project to analyse the impact of the legislative processes to replace Development Assistance—all with pandemic on media. Additionally, restrictive Mugabe-era laws. the aim of making the world a safer we initiated and supported a However, implementation remained a place for journalists, and supporting series of webinars in conjunction concern, with the continued arrests resilient and financially sustainable with BBC Media Action and of media practitioners, opposition models for independent journalism. Indonesia’s Press Council that figures and citizen journalists delve into various aspects of the for expressing their views. The COVID-19 vaccine in Indonesia. Media Institute of Southern Africa Freedom of Religion reported 49 human rights violations In the Philippines, the Embassy or Belief against journalists in 2020. monitored and spoke out on the case of Maria Ressa, the shutdown In Venezuela, attacks against press Defending freedom of religion or of ABS-CBN network, and the freedom persisted through arbitrary belief (FoRB) for all, and promoting harassment and detention of a detentions, the blocking of websites, respect between different religious number of journalists. We expressed and the shutting down of media communities, are key priorities concern about the message these outlets. Journalists and healthcare for Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, developments sent about media workers faced intimidation when and for Foreign Secretary, Dominic freedom in the Philippines. criticising the regime’s management Raab. Concerns about the denial of the COVID-19 pandemic. of FoRB grew in 2020, with some In Turkey, where a large number The UK ran technically-focused religious minorities blamed for the of journalists were prosecuted, we projects to support capacity- spread of COVID-19, and being urged the government to implement building for journalists on topics scapegoated or targeted as a result. social media legislation in a fair and such as personal protection. transparent manner, and raised Work on this issue was led by the at ministerial level our concerns While 2020 saw negative Prime Minister’s Special Envoy about the treatment of journalists. developments relating to media for Freedom of Religion of Belief [25] freedom in many countries, there (FoRB) , and by the Minister for In Vietnam, journalists, bloggers were also some signs of progress. Human Rights, Lord Tariq Ahmad and those advocating open debate Sierra Leone voted to repeal its of Wimbledon. On 20 December, were silenced and subjected to criminal libel law, and passed a new the Prime Minister appointed Fiona lengthy terms of imprisonment. Independent Media Commission Bruce MP as his Special Envoy on We raised concerns, including Act, helped by significant lobbying Freedom of Religion or Belief. during the Foreign Secretary’s and support from the British High visit in September. Vietnam has Monitoring developments around Commission. This was a major committed to working with the the world and raising issues of win for media freedom, which the UK on media exchanges. concern continued to be central UK supported through technical to our work on FoRB in 2020. In In China, the authorities continued assistance to the Independent China, we remained concerned to curtail media freedom. There Media Commission to strengthen about systematic restrictions on were believed to be at least 47 the media regulators following the practice of Islam, especially in journalists[24] in detention in China in the repeal of the libel law. Xinjiang. Restrictions remained in 2020. We continued to raise media Under Burundi’s new President, place concerning other groups, freedom with the Chinese authorities, Évariste Ndayishimiye, there was including Christians, Buddhists, urging them to allow journalists to some progress regarding respect Falun Gong practitioners, and practise their profession without fear for media freedom, notably a other religious groups across the of arrest, harassment or reprisal, presidential pardon in December for country. The UK delivered the first and to end extensive censorship four Iwacu newspaper journalists. joint statement on the plight of and control over the media and Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang at the wider means of expression.

[23] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/statement-on-media-freedom-in-egypt [24] https://cpj.org/reports/2020/12/record-number-journalists-jailed-imprisoned [25] Rehman Chishti MP resigned as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion of Belief in September 2020. CHAPTER 1: Human Rights and Democracy Priority Themes 8

Human Rights Council in June, and raised concerns about the situation in Xinjiang and Tibet alongside 38 other countries in a joint statement at the UN General Assembly Third Committee in October. In Pakistan, Ahmadi Muslims continued to flee constitutional discrimination and, Christians, Hazaras, Hindus, Shia Muslims and other minorities continued to suffer persecution and violence, including faith-based killings and attacks on places of worship. In Sri Lanka, the government announced a policy of mandating cremations for all COVID-19 deaths, despite WHO The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office lit up to mark Red Wednesday on 25 November 2020, in guidelines which permit burials. support of persecuted Christians around the world. This particularly affected Muslim and some Christian communities, elections to prevent some Muslim Pentecostal and Muslim, were for whom burial is an essential rite. candidates from standing. Following released from detention during Lord Tariq Ahmad led lobbying damage from violence in 2016 and 2020. However, many remained in on this which saw this policy 2017, many mosques in Myanmar detention and arrests continued. being overturned. Intercommunal found obtaining permission to In Yemen, six Baha’is were religious violence took place in undertake restorations challenging. released from Houthi detention in India, where over 50 people were The Rohingya, an ethnic group July, including one who had faced reported to have been killed. The comprised mostly of Muslims, the death sentence. This came UK raised concerns with the Indian but also Hindus and a small after significant lobbying from the authorities about the impact of number of Christians, continued international community, including legislative and judicial measures on to be denied citizenship. The UK the UK. The six were subsequently members of religious minorities. Ambassador called on various forced to leave the country. We ministers in Myanmar to remove In north-east Nigeria, terrorist continued to follow closely the religion as a category from state- groups, including Boko Haram Houthi persecution of the Baha’i, issued documentation. The UK and Islamic State West Africa, including through meeting Baha’i continued to raise the plight of the sought to undermine the Nigerian representatives in the UK. We also Rohingya through multilateral fora, constitutional right to FoRB by continued to follow the case of Levi including the UN Security Council. deliberately attacking both Christian Salem Musa Merhavi, a member of and Muslim communities which Provisions on FoRB were maintained Yemen’s small Jewish community, did not subscribe to their extremist in the new constitution in Algeria detained since 2016 by the Houthis views. Intercommunal violence in that came into force in December and subject to serious mistreatment. Nigeria’s Middle Belt continued 2020. We have raised with the In March[26] and July[27], the UK made to be of concern. While religious Algerian government the importance statements at the OSCE which called identity was an important factor, of supporting legislation being on Russia to end the persecution of the overall causes were more implemented quickly. The UK Jehovah’s Witnesses, and to uphold complex, particularly competition Ambassador discussed at ministerial its commitments on the right to over land and resources driven by level, including with the Minister of freedom of thought, conscience, and population growth, climate change Interior in November, our concern religion or belief for all individuals. and criminality. The FCDO will that some religious groups in continue to look at ways to address Algeria, including Ahmadi minorities In Egypt, the number of licences these factors, to reduce levels of and Christians, had reported issued under the 2016 Church violence and ease tensions. difficulties in practising their faith. Building Law continued to increase, with 1,800 church buildings In Myanmar, legislation continued In July, Sudan abolished the death receiving licences by the end of to favour the Buddhist majority. penalty for apostasy, a significant 2020. However, the continued We encouraged the Government step in promoting FoRB. In Eritrea, detention of Coptic rights activist of Myanmar to reform the 1982 a number of worshippers, including citizenship law, used in the 2020 Ramy Kamel remained concerning.

[26] https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/uk-statement-on-the-situation-of-jehovahs-witnesses-in-the-russian-federation [27] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/situation-of-jehovahs-witnesses-in-the-russian-federation-uk-statement 9 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

Sporadic sectarian tensions and designed to empower religiously wider international work to address the threat of Islamic extremism also marginalised groups, counter anti-semitism and restitution. continued to present challenges. hate speech, and address the In January, the FCO and the legislative barriers to FoRB. Working with like-minded partners Embassy of Israel marked remained central to our work, Delivering the recommendations from International Holocaust Memorial including engaging with the UK the Bishop of Truro’s review of, the Day and the 75th Anniversary of the FoRB Forum chaired by the Bishop then, FCO support for persecuted liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. of Truro, bringing together NGO Christians remained a priority; Speakers included the Foreign representatives and parliamentarians. ten of the 22 recommendations Secretary, Dominic Raab, Lord At the UN, we joined the new were fully delivered, and we made Pickles and Israeli Ambassador, Group of Friends of Victims of Acts good progress on a further eight. Mark Regev. During the event, of Violence based on Religion or We supported 15 FoRB research which for the first time included Belief in July. In February, the UK projects through the John Bunyan a digital exhibition, the Foreign became a founding member of the Fund, and marked the International Secretary announced that the International Religious Freedom or Day Commemorating the Victims FCO and the Ministry of Housing, Belief Alliance, a network of countries of Acts of Violence Based on Communities and Local Government working together to highlight cases Religion or Belief in August, and would donate £1 million to the of concern and advocate the rights Red Wednesday in November, Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation of individuals around the world lighting our site in King Charles to help with the preservation of being discriminated against or Street red. Delivering Religion for the Auschwitz-Birkenau site as a persecuted for their faith or belief. International Engagement training museum to teach visitors about the The Prime Minister’s then Special to FCDO staff is a priority for 2021. Holocaust. The Foreign Secretary Envoy for Freedom of Religion or also gave a personal account of We will continue to stand up for Belief, Rehman Chishti MP, attended his own family’s experiences of the right to freedom of religion or the launch event in Washington, escaping from Nazi persecution. belief and promote respect between and was later appointed Vice-Chair. different religious communities. Our In the same month, Minister for Highlighting the impact of COVID-19 work with the Alliance will remain a Human Rights, Lord Tariq Ahmad, was a priority for the Alliance, and, priority for 2021, as well as delivery of represented the United Kingdom in August, the UK joined a statement the Truro Review recommendations at a meeting of IHRA in Brussels, which recognised the impact of to ensure that all 22 will be delivered to renew the UK’s commitment COVID-19 on minority religious and by the time of the independent to the founding principles of belief communities and called for review of the report in 2022. the Stockholm Declaration. full respect for FoRB during the COVID-19 pandemic. In November, On 23 January, Lord Pickles Lord Tariq Ahmad attended both Post-Holocaust Issues attended the 5th World Holocaust the first Ministers’ Forum of the Forum in Jerusalem, alongside Alliance and the Ministerial to The Rt Hon Lord Pickles continued HRH the Prince of Wales, and also Advance Freedom of Religion or to serve as the UK’s Special participated in the 75th anniversary Belief, hosted virtually by Poland. Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues, commemoration at Auschwitz- representing the UK at international Birkenau on 27 January. As most With the creation of the FCDO, discussions on Holocaust-related meetings moved online, Lord Pickles we continued to bring our policy matters, including heading the continued to highlight the work of and programme work together. UK delegation to the International the UK to tackle anti-semitism and Programmes delivered through the Holocaust Remembrance Alliance remember the Holocaust, including Institute of Development Studies (IHRA). He also continued to support joining a number of World Jewish and the University of Oxford were Congress and European Jewish Congress virtual meetings to discuss tackling online anti-semitism. The UK held, until June, the Chair of the Arolsen Archive (formerly known as the International Tracing Service), a unique collection of documentation from Nazi concentration camps. This important archive is still being used to reunite families in the 21st century; a digital copy is held at the Wiener Library in London. Lord Tariq Ahmad addresses the Ministerial to Advance Freedom of The UK continues to play a key Religion or Belief, hosted virtually by Poland in November 2020. role at IHRA. In October, IHRA CHAPTER 1: Human Rights and Democracy Priority Themes 10

reoriented FCDO programmes so that women and girls can continue to access support. For example, in Kenya, the UK supported the State Department for Gender to increase the capacity of the national helpline and support a coordinated approach to services for survivors. In Nepal, we financed Women and Children Service Centres across the country. Across the Western Balkans, our Embassies responded to increased levels of VAWG through funding local organisations to Candles to mark International Holocaust Memorial Day and the provide safe houses, psychological 75th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. help, and emergency relief packages, and to develop remote adopted the draft non-binding helped lay the foundations for a access to counselling services. working definition[28] of anti- green, resilient and inclusive recovery gypsyism/anti-Roma discrimination with gender equality at its core. In September, we announced by consensus in an extraordinary new funding of £1 million to the The UK was concerned by increasing Heads of Delegation meeting. UN Trust Fund to End Violence challenges to the hard-won rights against Women’s COVID-19 Crisis for women and girls, and evidence Response Window, on top of our has shown that countries used the Gender Equality existing £21 million contribution. pandemic to undermine further We also provided £10 million to respect for the rights of women the United Nations Population Women and Girls’ Rights and girls. In negotiations at the UN Fund, which includes funding to and in other multilateral fora, the The UK has remained unwavering in scale-up reporting, protection and UK stood firm against concerted its commitment to gender equality support services for women and attempts to undermine respect for and women and girls’ rights, children affected by violence. particularly in the face of COVID-19, women and girls’ rights, especially Building on the success of the UK’s which has exacerbated existing sexual and reproductive health £25 million flagship What Works to inequalities and disproportionately and rights. We worked closely Prevent Violence programme, we impacted the lives of women with like-minded states and civil launched the tender for a successor and girls across the world. We society representatives to promote programme in September 2020. This have continued to prioritise girls’ and protect the importance of will be the first global effort to design education, sexual and reproductive women and girls’ rights and life- systematically and evaluate rigorously health and rights, women’s political saving sexual and reproductive the scale-up of successful violence empowerment and participation, health services for all. prevention projects. The UK has also women’s economic empowerment, continued to lead the world in our and ending gender-based violence, Violence against support to the Africa-led movement including conflict-related sexual Women and Girls to end female genital mutilation violence, through our Preventing (FGM), including through our current Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative One in three women worldwide will experience physical and/or five-year programme which began In 2020, we worked with multilateral sexual violence in their lifetime. The in 2019. We have seen positive and bilateral partners to ensure that elimination of all forms of violence signs of progress: Sudan, where the global COVID-19 response and against women and girls (VAWG) is the UK supported the Sudanese- recovery took account of the needs, a core part of the UK government’s led movement to end FGM since perspectives and experiences of mission and of Global Britain’s role as 2013, banned FGM in July 2020. women and girls. In September, we a force for good in the world. The UK The UK further stepped up its called on countries to take action has continued to lead global efforts global leadership on combatting through a joint statement at the UN to eradicate VAWG in all its forms. VAWG as co-lead of the global General Assembly to mark the 25th Action Coalition on Gender-Based anniversary of the Beijing Declaration VAWG has intensified during Violence (GBV). We used our and Platform for Action. Through COVID-19. Tackling the shadow membership of the Action Coalition the UN’s ‘Recovering Better for pandemic of VAWG has been central platform to stimulate collective Sustainability’ work, the UK has to the UK’s response. We have action, including initiating a joint

[28] https://www.holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definitions-and-charters 11 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

statement on GBV and COVID-19 In October, the Minister for WPS, In June, Lord Ahmad, the Institute for by the Action Coalition at the UN James Cleverly, endorsed the International Criminal Investigations, General Assembly in September. UK-funded protection framework and Nadia’s Initiative launched for women peacebuilders. The the draft Murad Code for global Women, Peace and Security UK supported the mentoring consultations. The Code was of 30 female peacebuilders designed to ensure that work with The UK is a global leader on Women, in Afghanistan, as well as survivors to investigate, document peace and security (WPS), including increasing the opportunities for and record experiences would at the UN Security Council. 2020 women to engage on peace be safer, more ethical and more marked the twentieth anniversary across 15 provinces. We also effective. In November, we launched of the first UN Security Council provided technical assistance the ‘Declaration of Humanity’, Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on for the implementation of the calling for the prevention of CRSV WPS. Through this resolution, the second phase of Afghanistan’s and denouncing the stigma faced UK and other UN member states National Action Plan in financial by survivors. High-profile faith and recognised the disproportionate year 2020/21, to help improve belief leaders, community leaders, impacts of conflict on women and the rights of women and girls. and faith-based organisations, girls, the need to prevent violations including in Sri Lanka, Sierra The UK supported the armed forces of women’s rights, and the important Leone, the Vatican, Kosovo and in Bosnia and Herzegovina role that women play in preventing Iraq, endorsed the declaration. to implement UNSCR 1325 by and ending conflict and in sustaining integrating gender perspectives and Putting survivors of CRSV first peace. The UK government’s improving women’s participation, remained at the heart of our National Action Plan (NAP) on WPS including through implementing efforts. We worked closely with (2018–22) guides our approach in recommendations from the UK- our PSVI Survivor Champions. fragile and conflict-affected states funded gender audit. In Vietnam, In July, Lord Ahmad announced to seek to achieve this objective. the UK supported the Vietnamese the UK’s £1.3 million contribution In 2020, the UK focussed on Government’s International to the Global Survivors Fund, promoting women’s meaningful Conference on WPS in December. an innovative, survivor-centred participation in peace processes, The conference resulted in the mechanism of redress. UK funding including in Afghanistan, South ‘Hanoi Commitment to Action’, co- directly supported survivors in the Sudan and Yemen, increasing sponsored by over 50 countries, Democratic Republic of Congo. support and protection for women which was subsequently presented Lord Ahmad undertook a virtual resolving conflict, countering violent to the UN in February 2021. visit to Colombia in October and extremism, building peace at the chaired a roundtable discussion grassroots, and responding to Preventing Sexual Violence with survivors and key stakeholders, the increase in violence against including Jineth Bedoya, leading women and girls following the in Conflict Initiative sexual violence campaigner, on how COVID-19 pandemic. Working with Rape and other forms of sexual to make progress on these issues UN Women and ActionAid Nigeria, violence continued to be used with the Deputy Interior Minister we launched a new programme as weapons of war in 2020. and Deputy Attorney General. to encourage greater participation COVID-19 exacerbated the The then FCO welcomed the of women in decision-making on horrors faced by those affected Independent Commission for Aid peace and security in Nigeria. The by conflict-related sexual violence Impact (ICAI) report on the PSVI. The programme supports women’s (CRSV). The Preventing Sexual UK government published its formal rights organisations and links them Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) written response on 20 February, and to female politicians to enhance their remained an FCDO priority. Lord Ahmad subsequently answered political support. It also identifies how The Prime Minister’s Special questions on the report at a meeting to overcome the risks and threats Representative on Preventing Sexual of the International Development women face by working in this field. Violence in Conflict, Lord Tariq Committee on 19 November. In March, Her Royal Highness Ahmad, led UK efforts to prevent and External scrutiny is important to The Countess of Wessex visited respond to CRSV. The PSVI focussed ensure that the PSVI effectively South Sudan where she met on three objectives: strengthening achieves our overarching objectives. peacebuilders and women political justice for survivors of sexual violence In light of the continued COVID-19 leaders, including the first female and holding perpetrators to account; outbreak, the UK government Vice President of South Sudan, H.E. supporting all survivors and children reassessed dates for the Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior, to born of CRSV, including tackling PSVI International Conference discuss the importance of including stigma and promoting access to and continued to pursue the more women in the implementation holistic care; and preventing CRSV agreements and deliverables of the South Sudan peace process, by addressing its root causes. intended for the International wider politics and decision-making. Conference by other means. CHAPTER 1: Human Rights and Democracy Priority Themes 12

Sexual Exploitation Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, visits the Discovery School in Kent, UK. and Abuse and Sexual Girls’ education was one of the Prime Minister’s priorities during 2020. Harassment The UK remained committed to eradicating sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and also sexual harassment (SH) in the aid and peacekeeping sectors. We continued to play a leading role in driving improved global standards and performance on safeguarding. In September, we published the UK strategy on tackling SEA and SH in the aid sector. The UK fully supported the UN Secretary General’s zero tolerance approach to SEA. We worked to ensure that we and our partners adhered to internationally agreed minimum standards on SEA and SH and to align our approaches and share lessons, including in relation to COVID-19. We continued to coordinate donors, the UN, NGOs, private sector and others, including to produce annual sector-wide progress updates against the 2018 Safeguarding Summit commitments. We also continued to use our position on the UN Security Council to ensure that all mandates for Lord Tariq Ahmad launched the flagship paper for the Platform Peacekeeping Missions contained for Girls’ Education at a joint photography exhibition with the UAE on girls’ education, during the 43rd session of the UN language on the protection of Human Rights Council in Geneva in February 2020. women and children from SEA and on accountability measures. We Girls’ Education children, £5 million to Education deployed a senior policy adviser Cannot Wait to support emergency to support the implementation Girls’ education remained a top education in conflict and crisis- phase of NATO’s SEA policy and priority for the UK and for the affected countries, and £5 million the development of a Conflict Prime Minister in 2020. Access to to UNHCR to fund the salaries of Related Sexual Violence Policy. education is a human right. In 2020, over 5,500 teachers in refugee COVID-19 posed an unprecedented camps in ten countries. We welcomed the ICAI report into education crisis: according to SEA by international peacekeepers. Save Our Future[29], 1.6 billion In February, the flagship paper for We continued to drive change students were out of education the Platform for Girls’ Education on SEA and SH through our because of the pandemic at the was published on the role of programmes, including the peak of school closures in 2020. transformative political leadership Safeguarding Innovation and in driving change for girls’ Engagement fund, Project Soteria, Education continued to unlock education. Lord Tariq Ahmad Resource and Support Hub, and individual potential, empower launched the paper at a joint the CSSF. Supporting victims and girls and women, and benefit photography exhibition with the survivors of SEA and SH remains society as a whole, powering UAE on girls’ education during the at the heart of our approach. As sustainable development. But 43rd session of the UN Human part of this, a new programme the pandemic led to a real risk Rights Council in Geneva. will begin in early 2021 to support of a lost generation of girls never In October, to rally international victims and survivors, and to help the returning to school and significant support for girls’ education and sector understand and implement a learning loss for those who did. ensure that we build back better, victim/survivor-centred approach. The UK provided £20 million to we developed two targets for low- UNICEF to protect vulnerable

[29] https://saveourfuture.world/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Averting-an-Education-Catastrophe-for-the-Worlds-Children_SOF_White-Paper.pdf 13 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

governments and armed groups for committing grave violations against children. In 2020, we made strong calls for action from parties to conflict in Afghanistan, Yemen, Colombia, Somalia, Sudan, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Within multilateral fora, the UK advocated consensual adoption of the strongest possible language on CAAC in resolutions and thematic statements, in line with our obligations under international law, while holding other member In Pakistan, access to basic education and gender equality has improved in recent years. However, 44% of children aged 5-16 are out of school. More states to account. We lobbied girls are out of school – 49% of girls compared to 40% of boys. Factors successfully for key commitments including gender-based violence, early marriage, boy-child preference and in September’s UN Security the prevalence of boys-only secondary schools all prevent Pakistani girls from acquiring a quality education. In 2020, the UK worked with Pakistan Council presidential statement to further girls’ access to education and to realise gender equality. on protecting education against attack, including securing reference to the Safe School Declaration, despite strong opposition.

The Rights of the Child The protection, promotion and realisation of children’s rights form an integral part of the UK’s international human rights agenda. The UK played a leading global role in efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 16.2 to end violence against, and abuse and exploitation of, children. The UK continued to be the largest donor to the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children, which included funding to “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world” - Malala the Safe to Learn initiative dedicated Yousafzai. In Pakistan, under-privileged girls have been given the chance to ending violence in and through to learn through the provision of low cost schools (funded by UK aid). schools. The FCDO coordinated across other UK government and middle-income countries by Department of Peace Operations departments to ensure that the 2025, aiming to get, first, 40 million for the 2020/21 financial year to extensive Rights of the Child portfolio more girls in primary and secondary support the mainstreaming of was both reflected and protected at school and, secondly, one third more the 2017 child protection policy all stages of negotiations on relevant girls reading by the age of ten. into police components of UN resolutions. In 2020, we helped peacekeeping operations. secure the adoption by consensus of Children and Armed Conflict The UK continued to be an active a strong resolution at the UN General permanent member of the UN Assembly, in line with UK priorities. The UK is deeply committed to Security Council (UNSC) Working protecting all children in armed Group on CAAC, which leads the conflict. We remained the largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual international response to violations single financial contributor to committed against children in and Transgender the Office of the UN Special conflict. The working group focuses (LGBT+) Rights Representative to the Secretary- on responding to the UN Secretary- General for Children and Armed General’s annual report and CAAC The UK is committed to the Conflict (CAAC), increasing country-specific reports, which principle of non-discrimination on all our funding to £550,000 in the assess the treatment of children recognised grounds, including on 2020/21 financial year. We also within conflict zones and list the basis of sexual orientation and/or provided £300,000 to the UN gender identity, in order to guarantee CHAPTER 1: Human Rights and Democracy Priority Themes 14

the dignity, respect and rights which international human rights law offers all individuals. The UK works through international organisations, including the UN, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe and the Commonwealth to combat discrimination against LGBT+ people, and to address discriminatory laws. The authorities of many countries continued actively to persecute LGBT+ people in 2020. Consensual same-sex relations continued to be criminalised in 69 countries, including 35 out of 54 Commonwealth countries. Even in countries where consensual same-sex relations are legal, many On International Trans Day of Remembrance on 20 November 2020, the people still faced violence and UK flew the trans flag at our missions across China for the first time. discrimination because of their sexual orientation, and/or gender identity. discrimination towards them, and such as the International Day disrupting access to essential Against Homophobia, Biphobia and The global effects of the services such as healthcare. Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) in May, COVID-19 pandemic detrimentally and local Pride Parades, given the The pandemic had an adverse affected LGBT+ people, further limitations on public convenings. impact on important opportunities constraining their human rights, The UK government was clear that to mark the rights of LGBT+ people, increasing the risk of violence and states must not use COVID-19 as an excuse for repressive, discriminatory action against LGBT+ people. The UK’s diplomatic network continued to champion the rights of LGBT+ people. More posts than ever flew the rainbow and transgender flags, including for the first time the British Embassies in Moscow and Beijing. In Turkey, the ban on peaceful Pride marches and the veto on LGBT+ cultural activities, seminars and discussions continued to be rigorously enforced. We continued to appeal to the Turkish authorities to relax the bans. In Panama, our Embassy raised concerns about the impact of gender-based COVID-19 restrictions on the country’s transgender community, which limited their physical access to healthcare and public services. We facilitated conversations with civil society and like-minded embassies to raise LGBT+ people rights with the Panamanian Government; we ran a public campaign on human rights with a focus on the rights of LGBT+ people, and raised the rainbow flag during PRIDE month. Our To mark Pride in June 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, British missions in the Caribbean region Embassy staff in Israel made a collage with photos of embassy staff and families to voice their unequivocal support for the LGBT+ community. consistently raised the importance 15 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

of respecting and protecting the delivered a statement on behalf The COVID-19 pandemic had a human rights of its LGBT+ citizens, of the ERC that called on all devastating impact on some of which continued to be limited. governments to limit the negative the poorest and most vulnerable impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across the world, including victims of In September, the then Minister for on people targeted on the basis of modern slavery, and those who were Overseas Territories and Sustainable real or perceived sexual orientation, previously vulnerable to it. The impact Development, Baroness Sugg, gender identity or expression, or sex of the pandemic on supply chains delivered a speech at a UN LGBTI characteristics. In November, the UK and the labour market had a direct core group event during the UN’s Embassy in Buenos Aires and the effect on workers across the world. General Assembly on the importance Argentine Ministry for Foreign Affairs One consequence in some parts of taking an intersectional approach co-hosted a virtual event to mark of the world was reduced access to tackling discrimination. She Pride Month in Argentina. Baroness to safe and reliable employment, announced a new Commonwealth Sugg delivered a video message to making workers vulnerable to a Equality Project of £3.2 million for open the event, which reviewed our heightened risk of exploitation. financial year 2020/21 to follow on period as co-chair and considered from the £5.6 million Equality and In India, the nationwide lockdown the impact of COVID-19 on the ERC’s Justice Alliance project announced resulted in its biggest migration work to advance LGBTI equality. at the Commonwealth Heads of crisis since 1947, affecting an We continued with plans to deliver Government Meeting in London estimated 120 million migrant the ERC’s first Strategy and Five in 2018, again working with civil labourers between March and Year Implementation Plan in 2021. society to support countries June. UK programming supported seeking legislative reform. We On 16 December, the FCDO funded the development of a report also prioritised an additional a meeting of multi-faith religious recommending policy interventions £800,000 of funding for The leaders to discuss the impact of in the garment industry in India, Commonwealth Equality Network religion on global discrimination to ensure safe migration from (TCEN) to support civil society towards LGBT+ people, which rural to urban areas. The findings work to advance LGBT+ equality. produced a declaration calling contributed to the Jharkhand state for an end to violence and government’s COVID-19 response to In June, we welcomed the discrimination, to the criminalisation reverse migration during lockdown, decision of Gabon’s parliament to of same-sex conduct and to the including the creation of a database decriminalise same-sex relations. practice of conversion therapy. to reduce the drivers of modern With a core objective to increase FCDO Minister for Africa, James slavery, by diverting families to respect for equality and non- Duddridge, delivered a statement livelihood schemes and by ensuring discrimination for all, approximately expressing the UK’s support for continued schooling for children. £1.6 million of the International the event and for its declaration. In Malaysia, increased global Programme Fund in financial year In 2021, the UK will continue to demand for personal protective 2020/21 was allocated to support work with international partners to equipment (PPE) highlighted projects focused on the rights of advance LGBT+ equality. On 6-7 concerns with modern slavery in LGBT+ people. Through UK Aid July 2021, we are delivering a virtual the rubber manufacturing industry. Connect, in 2020 we supported ERC conference, with a focus on The UK continued to engage a programme entitled ‘Strong in launching the ERC’s first Strategy with the Government of Malaysia, Diversity, Bold on Inclusion’, led by and Five Year Implementation suppliers, manufacturers and civil Hivos that worked with a consortium Plan. In June 2022, we plan to society to improve the protection of UK and southern NGOs to improve host the UK’s first international of vulnerable migrant workers and the socio-economic inclusion of LGBT+ rights conference in London tackle labour abuses in government LGBT+ people across Africa. We (postponed from May 2020 due supply chains. In Indonesia, UK also supported work on LGBT+ to the COVID-19 pandemic). officials worked with partners to inclusion within larger programmes ensure robust coordination and on sexual and reproductive data gathering processes regarding health rights and health care. Modern Slavery the victims of modern slavery. In The UK and Argentina in 2020 Modern Slavery, preying on the the long-term, this will help the continued to co-chair the Equal most vulnerable in society, is a Indonesian Government’s efforts to Rights Coalition (ERC), a grouping global problem that requires a tackle human trafficking, as projects of 42 like-minded countries, working global response. The UK remained around better co-ordination and together with civil society and key committed to the eradication management moved towards policy stakeholders to address violence by 2030 of all forms of modern implementation during 2020. and discrimination against LGBTI slavery, forced labour and human Despite the challenges of the individuals, and the continuing trafficking, as set out in Sustainable pandemic, the UK in 2020 criminalisation of same-sex conduct. Development Goal 8.7. continued to support a range In June, the UK and Argentina of programmes. The Work in CHAPTER 1: Human Rights and Democracy Priority Themes 16

Freedom ‘Fair Recruitment and working directly with source and objectives; and to strengthen its Decent Work for Women Migrant transit countries, particularly in light partnerships on modern slavery with Workers’ programme delivered of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many a range of stakeholders, including training to women in the garment posts in the FCDO network marked the private sector and government sector in India and Jordan, and the World Day Against Human partners. Finally, the government worked with recruiters, businesses Trafficking by holding awareness committed to a periodic review and governments to promote fair raising events, including in India, of its efforts to ensure continued recruitment and decent work, where the High Commission hosted progress on this agenda. reaching over 470,000 people during a roundtable opened by Minister for In September, the UK government 2020. In Bahrain, we continued Human Rights, Lord Tariq Ahmad announced a package of to support its progress on modern of Wimbledon, reinforcing the UK’s measures to strengthen the 2015 slavery, illustrated by it maintaining its partnership with authorities in India to Modern Slavery Act, which gave Tier 1 status in the US Department of eradicate human trafficking. The UK law enforcement agencies the State’s Trafficking in Persons Report. funded the training of 1,900 police tools to tackle modern slavery, We supported the CEO of the officers on best practice on human including maximum life sentences Labour Market Regulatory Authority trafficking cases across 54 districts in for perpetrators and enhanced through regular engagement with Madhya Pradesh during 2019-20. In protection for victims. The new the UK, including with the UK’s 2020, the UK continued its advocacy measures included a transparency Anti-Slavery Commissioner and and capacity building initiatives in requirement, extending the duty to the UK Envoy on Modern Slavery partnership with the International report on steps taken to prevent and Migration, which in turn helped Labour Organization (ILO). The ILO modern slavery to public bodies strengthen Bahrain’s successful was also a partner in the FCDO- with a budget of £36 million or National Referral Mechanism (NRM) funded Asia Regional Child Labour more. Large businesses with a and bolstered Bahrain’s position Programme, which worked to turnover in the UK of £36 million as a regional centre of excellence. reduce vulnerability to child labour or more already published such Support also continued for the and to enhance the protection statements under the Modern Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, of children from exploitation in Slavery Act. The UK government also focussing on supporting India Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, published its first Modern Slavery and Bangladesh in mitigating the Nepal, Myanmar and Pakistan. Statement[31] in March, setting impacts of COVID-19 on individuals As in previous years, we continued out steps taken to tackle modern vulnerable to modern slavery, to raise modern slavery as part of slavery in HMG procurement and and supporting work to combat the Universal Periodic Review at supply chains. All UK government commercial sexual exploitation and the UN Human Rights Council. departments, including the FCDO, support ethical recruitment. In the In October 2020, the Independent were required to publish individual Indo-Pacific region, the FCDO Asia Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) annual Modern Slavery Statements Regional Child Labour Programme published its report on the UK’s from Autumn 2021 onwards. continued to work with UN agencies approach to tackling modern and civil society to reduce child slavery through the aid programme. labour through improving national The UK government published its Human Rights and capacity and policies on child response[30] on 24 November, and the Private Sector labour, supporting social protection committed to accepting or partially measures, and investing in research accepting all five of the review’s and child labour surveys. recommendations. The government Business and Human Rights The FCDO continued to lead accepted three recommendations, The UK strongly supports the United engagement with international including strengthening its approach Nations Guiding Principles (UNGPs) partners, including a virtual Second to research; working more closely on business and human rights, the Inter-Government Forum Against with survivors of modern slavery; and authoritative voluntary international Trafficking in Persons, held in agreeing to publish a statement of framework to steer practical action Abu Dhabi in October, attended overall international objectives. The by governments and businesses virtually by the Jennifer Townson, government partially accepted two worldwide to address human UK Migration and Modern Slavery recommendations from the review: rights risks in the private sector. Envoy. Discussions focused on the to continue to integrate modern challenges presented by human slavery across a broader range The UK was the first state to produce trafficking in the region, such as of modern slavery programming a National Action Plan to respond to the UNGPs, and the first to

[30] https://icai.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/Government-Response-ICAI-Modern-Slavery-24_Nov2020.pdf [31] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/875800/UK_Government_Modern_ Slavery_Statement.pdf 17 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

update its plan. A progress report Security Sector Governance (DCAF) in conflict areas, there is a risk was published on gov.uk in 2020[32]. to improve the implementation of that some proceeds from mining We are clear that we expect all security and human rights good may be diverted to support armed our businesses to comply with all practices in a coherent, cost-effective conflict and human rights abuses. applicable laws; identify and prevent and sustainable way. UK funding In 2020, the UK continued to human rights risks; and behave in line supported projects to improve the encourage UK importers of with the Guiding Principles—including human rights compliance of public conflict minerals to carry out in their management of supply mining and private security forces their responsibilities based chains in the UK and overseas. in the Democratic Republic of on the OECD Due Diligence Congo and Kenya and the drafting Internationally, the UK promoted Guidance for Responsible Supply of a new law on private security by the implementation of the UNGPs Chains of Minerals from Conflict- the Government of Madagascar. through National Action Plans Affected and High Risk Areas. (NAPs). We continued to work with Our work on conflict minerals during the Government of Peru on its Private Security Companies 2020 focused on requirements initiatives on business and human The UK is a signatory to the to implement the main operative rights, including the development of Montreux Document, which reaffirms provisions of EU Conflict Minerals their NAP, to be published in mid- the existing obligations of states Regulation (which came into force on 2021. During our third Business and under international law relating to 1 January 2021) in Northern Ireland. Human Rights Week in Guatemala the activity of private military and The EU Regulation is based on the and Honduras, we held three security companies during armed OECD voluntary guidance and places events on the importance of conflict. The UK advocates the due diligence obligations on the boosting human rights for improving implementation of the Montreux largest importers of 3TG across the the business environment. Document via the International Code EU. As required under the Northern The FCDO continued to work of Conduct (ICoC). The ICoC sets out Ireland Protocol of the EU Withdrawal closely with the UK National principles for security providers, and Agreement, the UK government laid Contact Point, responsible for related standards, governance and the Conflict Minerals Regulations[34] promoting the Organisation for oversight mechanisms. Compliance before Parliament on 15 October Economic Co-operation and is monitored by the International which implement the main operative Development (OECD) guidelines Code of Conduct Association for provisions of the EU Conflict for multinational enterprises on Security Providers (ICoCA). The Minerals Regulation in Northern responsible business conduct UK supports ICoCA through our Ireland. This means that, from 1 and for operating the complaints seat on the Governing Board, and January 2021, the largest importers mechanism set out in the guidelines. as a member of ICoCA. The UK into Northern Ireland of 3TG need continues to encourage all states, to conduct and demonstrate due Voluntary Principles on businesses and NGOs contracting diligence to ensure that their imports Private Security Companies (PSCs) have been mined and processed Security and Human Rights to recognise ICoCA membership. responsibly. The Government will, The Voluntary Principles on Security in due course, consider what, if We have worked with UK PSCs and Human Rights (VPs) provide any, regulatory framework might through the Security in Complex guidance on responsible business be appropriate for Great Britain. Environments Group to ensure practice to mining and other that stakeholders are engaged The UK is a member of the extractive businesses operating in with relevant government policy. Governing Board of the European high-risk and conflict-affected areas. Partnership for Responsible Minerals The VPs are therefore a key tool for Responsible Sourcing (EPRM), and funded the EPRM Due implementing the UNGPs. Further Diligence Hub to support SMEs detail on the UK’s VPs work can be of Minerals in implementing due diligence, found in the UK’s 2020 Voluntary Companies involved in the mining which launched in April 2020. Principles Annual Update Report[33]. of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold The UK continued to support and their ores (known as ‘conflict The Kimberley Process the Security and Human Rights minerals’), other high-value minerals, Implementation Mechanism (SHRIM), and precious stones, can generate The UK remains committed to a multi-donor initiative created by income, prosperity and stability the principles and values of the the UK and the Geneva Centre for for local communities. However, Kimberley Process (KP). The KP is

[32] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/implementing-the-un-guiding-principles-on-business-and-human-rights-may-2020-update/uk- national-action-plan-on-implementing-the-un-guiding-principles-on-business-and-human-rights-progress-update-may-2020 [33] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/voluntary-principles-on-security-and-human-rights-for-businesses-operating-in-fragile- environments-uk-update-report-2020 [34] https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2020/9780348213539 CHAPTER 1: Human Rights and Democracy Priority Themes 18

a conflict prevention measure that Arabia. India, Oman, Qatar and including by providing webinars regulates the global trade in rough Taiwan also resumed executions. on the relationship between diamonds, with the aim of stemming mental health law and the death There was progress in 2020. Saudi the flow of conflict diamonds. penalty for medical professionals Arabia announced positive legal The UK helped found the KP, and in Bangladesh, and by carrying reforms in relation to death penalty since the KP’s establishment in out strategic legal interventions in use for minors, and decreased its 2003, trade in conflict diamonds Trinidad and Tobago, Ghana, overall death penalty use (see country has fallen from 15% of the global Sierra Leone and Tanzania. chapter for further information). In diamond trade to less than 1%. Sierra Leone, following regular The FCDO also worked with The UK worked throughout 2020 UK lobbying, President Bio the NGO Reprieve on projects to ensure a seamless transition announced a constitutional review campaigning for the abolition from participating in the KP as process to reform the criminal of the death penalty in Malawi part of the EU to independent UK justice system, including a task and Tanzania, and supporting participation, which took effect at force to review recommendations prisoners on death row. Reprieve the end of the Transition Period on on abolishing the death penalty. additionally provided support to 31 December. Our participation Pakistan in its move away from the in the KP and the activities of the On the other hand, in March, application of capital punishment. Government Diamond Office, Georgia’s breakaway region the UK’s KP competent authority of Abkhazia re-introduced the The UK government unreservedly responsible for implementing the KP death penalty as an “exceptional condemns the use of torture. We in the UK and verifying UK rough measure of punishment” for drug work closely with international diamond imports and exports, trafficking. Nonetheless, the 2007 partners to eradicate this enables us to take a leading role moratorium remains in force and abhorrent practice. in preventing the rough diamond any death sentence is expected to The FCDO-funded projects aimed industry from fuelling conflict. be commuted to life imprisonment. at preventing torture, in particular In Belarus, the death penalty to encourage states to ratify and Death Penalty and continued to be used, and the UK implement the UN’s Optional Torture Prevention raised its concerns in multilateral Protocol to the Convention Against fora. In Zimbabwe, death sentences Torture. This included the Association The UK government opposes continued to be passed, although for the Prevention of Torture, the use of the death penalty, the last execution was carried out in which campaigned to increase the in all circumstances, as a 2005. However, on 21 May, President protection of persons deprived of matter of principle. Mnangagwa added his name to a liberty from the spread of COVID-19 pro-abolition UK-funded report. in Brazil, Mexico, Panama, the In 2020, we continued our work to Philippines and Rwanda. increase the number of abolitionist In 2020, there were at least two countries and countries with a executions in Bangladesh. In moratorium on death penalty use. October, the government restored Overseas Security We also continued to encourage capital punishment for rape cases in Justice Assistance retentionist countries to restrict response to anti-rape protests (see the use of the death penalty, and country chapter). While Pakistan The FCDO continued work to to stop its use against juvenile retained the death penalty for 27 implement the Overseas Security and and vulnerable offenders. crimes, an amendment to the Justice Assistance (OSJA) Guidance Counter Narcotics Substances Act, across the UK government, providing Global execution figures reached which could see drug offence crimes advice and training to OSJA leads a record low in the past decade, removed from the capital crimes in government departments. The with a 26% decrease in executions list, was a positive development. OSJA Guidance is the government’s from 2019, according to Amnesty framework used to assess human International’s Global Report on The UK also raised its concerns rights risks related to our security Death Sentences and Executions with US authorities over the use of and justice work overseas, and 2020. China remained the world’s the death penalty in retentionist US to identify suitable mitigation top executioner with thousands of states, and over the resumption of measures for those risks. executions believed to have been federal executions in July 2020. carried out, though the true extent of The UK government continued to Below is an estimate of the number death penalty use is unknown as this fund projects dedicated to abolishing of new OSJA assessments data is classified as a state secret. the death penalty through the Magna completed across government during 88% of all other recorded executions Carta Fund. The FCDO worked the financial year of 2020 to 2021. took place in just four countries— with the UK NGO Death Penalty Iran, Egypt, Iraq and Saudi Project to facilitate death penalty reform in retentionist countries, 19 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

Number of OSJA cases for a range of political, military and other people to risk their lives to migrate. financial year 2019 to 2020 global developments, reflecting these We also supported irregular Region Cases in our licensing decisions. To do migrants on the move who wished this, we utilise the most up-to-date to return home, and protected Europe 164 information and analysis available migrants in vulnerable situations. Central Asia 16 at the time, including advice from This included our work with host Americas 60 those with diplomatic and military governments to support effective expertise and reports from our Middle East & North Africa 141 migration management. In Turkey, overseas network and NGOs. Sub Saharan Africa 122 the Conflict, Stability and Security South Asia 53 The UK continues to operate one Fund (CSSF) supported the of the most transparent licensing authorities in delivering critical Asia Pacific 69 regimes in the world, publishing services to refugees and integrating information on all licences issued, refugees into host communities. Export Controls refused or revoked. Export licensing In Greece, 2020 saw the decisions are accountable to implementation of a CSSF-funded UK export licensing processes Parliament, including through a package to purchase emergency uphold our values by seeking to statutory obligation to provide an humanitarian supplies and ensure that UK exports do not Annual Report on Strategic Export equipment for vulnerable migrants. fuel conflict, lead to human rights Controls, last published in December Additionally, following the fire that violations, or enable the proliferation 2020. The government also carried destroyed the Moria migrant camp of weapons of mass destruction. out enforcement action where on Lesbos in September, the UK All export licence applications necessary, and provided a wide provided kitchen sets to nearly in 2020 were assessed on a range of training to help exporters 2,000 vulnerable families and solar case-by-case basis against the understand their licensing obligations. lanterns to help people stay safe. Consolidated EU and National Arms In April, the UK and Greece signed Export Licensing Criteria, which During 2020, the Export Control a bilateral ‘Migration Action Plan’ provide a thorough risk assessment Joint Unit, located within the to underpin such cooperation. framework, requiring among other Department for International things detailed consideration of Trade, with input from Advisory Under the Safety, Support and the capabilities and impact of Departments, assessed 15,753 Solutions Phase II programme, the the equipment to be licensed. Standard Individual Export Licence UK provided support to selected applications and issued 11,974, families in Libya to host vulnerable Human rights considerations form refused 268 and revoked 10 licences. migrants, with priority given to those a core part of these Criteria and our most in need, such as migrants decision-making as to whether or released or who had escaped from not to approve an export licence. Migration and detention, and victims of human Under the Criteria the government Human Rights rights abuses and violations. In will not grant a licence where, among 2020, approximately 160 vulnerable other things, there is a clear risk Throughout 2020, the UK worked migrants were supported. that the items exported (i) might be internationally and bilaterally on used for internal repression or in the a ‘whole of route’ approach to Throughout the transition period commission of a serious violation of tackle irregular migration, which in 2020, we continued to support International Humanitarian Law; or (ii) continued to expose migrants to the protection of vulnerable would be used aggressively by the the risk of exploitation and human migrants and the integration of recipient against another country or rights abuses and violations. migrants into host communities, to assert a territorial claim by force; through UK contributions to the or where the exported item would In the English Channel, at least five EU Facility for Refugees in Turkey provoke or prolong armed conflicts migrants died attempting to cross and the EU Trust Fund in Africa. or aggravate existing conflicts in from France to the UK in 2020, The UK remained firm in fulfilling its the country of final destination. highlighting the consequences of people smuggling and human commitment, under the Vulnerable In 2020, the Foreign Secretary, trafficking. The UK continued to Persons Resettlement Scheme Dominic Raab, announced a number work closely with France to tackle (VPRS), to resettle 20,000 refugees of measures in response to the the serious and organised crime who had fled the conflict inSyria . imposition, by China, of the National underpinning illegal migration. Because of unprecedented Security Law on Hong Kong. This restrictions caused by the COVID-19 included extending to Hong Kong The UK was proactive in providing pandemic, the UK, alongside many the arms embargo that has applied protection to vulnerable migrants. We other countries, had to pause the to mainland China since 1989. continued to support international resettlement of refugees temporarily. efforts to help origin and transit However, refugee resettlement We continued to apply international countries reduce factors pushing resumed in December, with a view to sanctions rigorously and monitored CHAPTER 1: Human Rights and Democracy Priority Themes 20

bringing our final arrivals under the implementation of the COVID-19 Working Group on Ageing, as well VPRS in early 2021. We will roll out a Crisis Management Toolkit. as to supporting the human rights new global resettlement scheme in The UK’s development finance of older people through work at future, along with a new firm and fair institution, CDC[35], is a leading the UN Human Rights Council and asylum system which will welcome member of the 2X Challenge, at the UN General Assembly. people through safe and legal routes. an initiative to mobilise capital The UK continued to make clear to gender finance in developing Right to the Highest our expectation that all states countries. By the end of 2020, 2X Attainable Standard should discharge their international members had contributed $4.5 of Health obligations towards migrants with billion towards women’s economic full respect for human rights. For empowerment, exceeding the Throughout 2020, the world faced example, following the fire that initial target of $3 billion. unprecedented challenges created devastated the Lipa migrant camp by the COVID-19 pandemic. The in Bosnia and Herzegovina UK took a leading role in the Rights of People COVID-19 response, committing (BiH) in December 2020, the with Disabilities UK urged the BiH authorities to up to £1.3 billion in 2020 (to [37] ensure that appropriate shelter In 2020, people with disabilities were COVAX , increased funding to was available for migrants. disproportionately impacted, both the WHO and support to partner directly and indirectly, by COVID-19. countries to support their health Working internationally on a ‘whole of care systems) and working with route’ approach to address irregular The UK government produced partners to address the impacts of migration and its consequences a progress paper highlighting the pandemic. The UK-hosted Global will remain a priority in 2021. achievements on the Strategy for Vaccine Summit mobilised US$8.8 Inclusive Development (2018) and our billion and launched the COVAX pandemic response. For example, in Economic and Advance Market Commitment Ghana, the Leave No One Behind (COVAX AMC), an initiative to [36] Social Rights programme reached 17,000 people support access to COVID-19 with disabilities and indirectly an vaccines in up to 92 developing additional 700,000 with accessible Women’s Economic countries. Through match funding, information on COVID-19. The UK the UK mobilised £1 billion for the Empowerment co-chaired the Global Action on COVAX AMC, ensuring vaccine Women’s economic empowerment Disability (GLAD) network with the access to the more vulnerable. is essential for the full realisation International Disability Alliance. We The demands of the emergency of human rights and for gender convened a high-level meeting in response to the COVID-19 pandemic equality. The UK continued its June to step up action on a disability needed to be balanced with support for increased economic inclusive COVID-19 response and delivery of other essential health opportunities for women through recovery. As a result, over 200 services. As a leading donor to our programmes, which were governments and organisations the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, reprioritised to address the impacts signed a Call to Action to build a Tuberculosis and Malaria, the UK of the COVID-19 pandemic: future which is inclusive for all. supported countries in reinforcing » ‘Work and Opportunities for health systems and mitigating Women’ (WOW) adapted existing Rights of Older Persons impacts on critical HIV, tuberculosis partnerships to ensure that they Older people were disproportionately and malaria programmes. continued to benefit women affected by the COVID-19 pandemic Similarly, our investment in working in supply chains impacted and were more likely to develop GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, has by the COVID-19 pandemic, such serious illnesses and to die from supported routine immunisation as the garment and agri-food the disease. The UK sought to programmes and provided grants sectors. address this through implementing for personal protective equipment » ‘SheTrades Commonwealth’ age-responsive approaches, such (PPE) and infection control. focused on training women-owned as the provision of technical advice The weakness of developing businesses in digital literacy and to governments on the inclusion of countries’ health systems is one of e-commerce, and supported them older people in social protection. the biggest risks to the global impact to manage uncertainty and build The UK is committed to engaging and spread of health threats, such resilience through the successful closely with the Open Ended as COVID-19. The UK will continue

[35] https://www.cdcgroup.com/en/about [36] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/934618/Progress_Paper_of_the_ Disability_Inclusion_Strategy_November_2020.pdf [37] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-raises-1bn-so-vulnerable-countries-can-get-vaccine 21 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

to work with partners, including G7 members and WHO, to strengthen global health security as set out in the Prime Minister’s five-point plan for pandemic preparedness. The UK is committed to global health, including ending the preventable deaths of mothers, newborn babies and children by 2030. Within the UN Omnibus Resolution on the COVID-19 pandemic, we secured commitments to responsive, accountable and people-centred health systems, and protected references to the right of women and girls to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, including sexual and Communities in Mozambique supported by UK funded project Transforming reproductive health and rights. Rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. Photo credit PRONASAR/SNV.

Nutrition, Water, provide life-saving food assistance the land rights and tenure security Sanitation and Land to over 600,000 people in the of over 12 million women. north-east of Nigeria. Between The impacts of COVID-19, combined 2015 and 2020, the UK reached Social Protection with pre-existing factors, led to 55.1 million[40] women, adolescent almost one billion people being girls and children with services to The World Bank report on poverty severely food insecure by the end address their nutritional needs. and shared prosperity estimated[42] [38] of 2020 , on an accelerating that global extreme poverty would The UK recognises that the right downward spiral. COVID-19 also rise in 2020 for the first time in two [39] to water and sanitation derives led to an estimated 6.7 million decades because of the COVID-19 from the right to an adequate more children becoming acutely global pandemic. The UK recognises standard of living. SDG 6 calls malnourished in 2020—taking the the important role that social for universal access to safe water total number of children affected protection plays in preventing and and sanitation. Between 2015 by acute malnutrition to just under reducing poverty, vulnerability and and 2020[41], the UK helped 62.6 54 million worldwide. COVID-19 inequality, which is essential for million people gain access to clean significantly exacerbated pre-existing the achievement of SDG 1 to end water and/or better sanitation. shocks and stresses, including poverty. Social protection has been conflict, climate shocks and the Land and related social rights are a cornerstone of responses to the effects of locusts and other pests, linked to the human rights to own COVID-19 pandemic in over 200 and reduced local food availability property and be entitled to its countries. The UK supported social and access by disrupting food peaceful enjoyment. In 2020, the protection programming in more than production and marketing; limiting UK government supported good 25 countries in Africa, Asia and the access to food markets; generating land governance as a key pillar of Middle East and North Africa. We food price spikes in some countries; inclusive economic development adapted our programmes and policy and reducing incomes because of and sustainable land use, and as a to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. lockdowns. The UK announced a means to further the enjoyment of new £119 million aid package to human rights. Achievements included combat the threat of coronavirus strengthening tenure security of poor Overseas Territories and famine as it looked forward to people through land registration the G7 and COP26 Presidencies. Each Overseas Territory has its own programmes. Since 2010, UK- constitution, government and local This included a new £30 million funded land programmes issued partnership with UNICEF to laws. The UK government continued over 14.5 million land certificates to expect the territories to abide by improve management of acute or titles, and helped strengthen malnutrition, and £15 million to the same basic standards of human rights as the UK. The UK continued

[38] https://hungermap.wfp.org [39] https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(20)31647-0.pdf [40] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfid-results-estimates-2015-to-2020 [41] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfid-results-estimates-2015-to-2020 [42] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfid-results-estimates-2015-to-2020 CHAPTER 1: Human Rights and Democracy Priority Themes 22

to encourage the territories to legal recognition and protection other funding mechanisms, such seek the extension of the core UN (functionally equivalent to marriage) as the Conflict, Security and human rights conventions ratified for same-sex relationships in the Stability Fund (CSSF), as well as by the UK, although only when Cayman Islands. In response, the funding from other government they were ready to apply them. Premier, Alden McLaughlin, tabled departments. It enables the FCDO a bill in July to enable this in the to support traditional diplomatic The UK continued to support the then Legislative Assembly. However, activity, respond effectively to governments of the Overseas the bill was rejected by one vote. In changing international situations, and Territories in their commitment order to ensure compliance with the leverage funding from international to ensuring the highest possible Cayman Islands Court of Appeal partners and the private sector. standards for the protection for ruling, Baroness Sugg (then UK children. Tailored programmes of In 2020, the human rights Minister for the Overseas Territories) support were delivered for a number and democracy programme instructed the Governor in August of territories. For example, the UK objectives were to: to use his reserved powers under facilitated practice partnerships the Cayman Islands Constitution, to » work closely with domestic and between a number of territories enact legislation providing for same- international partners to drive and UK local authorities, which sex partnerships. The first legally international efforts to combat enabled the sharing of good practice recognised same-sex partnership modern slavery. on subjects such as assessment was registered on 28 October 2020. processes, case management » stand up for the freedom of people and fostering provision, and In 2021, we will continue to of any or no religion to practise provided a source of operational encourage all of the Overseas their beliefs in peace and safety. and strategic advice. Through Territories to ensure enjoyment » support the right of human rights UNICEF, we delivered a Positive of human rights by all their defenders to carry out their work, Behaviour Management Programme citizens, and to ensure that all while being able to voice their for Educators and Parents. legislation is compliant with opinions freely and safely. human rights obligations. The UK government is committed to » promote the development and equal rights, including upholding the strengthening of democracy, rights of LGBT+ people. At the end Human Rights including through the work of the Westminster Foundation for of 2020, ten Overseas Territories had and Democracy legal recognition and protection for Democracy. same-sex relationships. Same-sex Programmes » oppose the death penalty and the use of torture as a matter of marriage is legal in the British Indian One way in which the FCDO principle, in all circumstances. Ocean Territory, British Antarctic supports other countries in meeting Territory, South Georgia and the their human rights obligations » continue the UK’s commitment South Sandwich Islands, Falkland is through funding provided by to defend and support media Islands, Gibraltar, Pitcairn Islands, the International Programme. In freedom internationally, building on St Helena, Ascension Island, Tristan the difficult fiscal and delivery commitments made at the 2019 da Cunha, and the Sovereign Base circumstances caused by the global conference in London. Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia for COVID-19 pandemic during most of » work with business and civil UK military and civilian personnel. 2020, the UK remained committed society, to support adherence In November 2018, Bermuda’s Court to human rights and democracy to the UN Guiding Principles of Appeal struck down the provision programmes. The pandemic on Responsible Business and of the Domestic Partnership Act that presented a new pressure on human responsible practice by global removed same-sex marriage rights. rights internationally, which the UK extractives businesses. The Bermuda Government appealed adapted its support to reflect. The UK government is committed the ruling to the Judicial Committee FCDO funding covers a wide to a foreign policy that consciously of the Privy Council. The hearing geographic spread and range of and consistently delivers was expected to take place in 2020, activities, in support of the FCDO’s gender equality. This has meant [43] but was delayed by Covid-19 . strategic objective to project our providing funding to support: In November 2019, the Cayman global influence as a force for good. » the Preventing Sexual Violence in Islands Court of Appeal reversed It also helps to advance the UN’s Conflict initiative in (i) strengthening the decision of the Grand Court Sustainable Development Goals justice for survivors of sexual that provided for same-sex (SDGs), in particular SDG 5 (Gender violence in conflict and holding marriage. The judgment tasked Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice the perpetrators to account; the then Legislative Assembly to and Strong Institutions). FCDO (ii) supporting all survivors and move expeditiously to provide programme funding complements children born of conflict-related

[43] The hearing in fact took place on the 3rd and 4th February 2021. Judgement is awaited. 23 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

sexual violence, and helping them In the Democratic Republic of tackle the stigma they face; and Congo, funding increased the (iii) preventing and responding capacity of a Working Group (WG) to sexual violence in conflict, on business and human rights to including through militaries and report on human rights violations police. at mining sites. As a result, the WG » the opportunity for all girls successfully investigated allegations to receive 12 years of quality of human rights abuse by a member education, focussing on providing of the public security force, which support for out-of-school girls, led to his removal from office. tackling the barriers that are The WG continues to work with stopping girls from accessing the Mining Police to improve their education, and ensuring their safe internal human rights monitoring return to school. capacity and with the public security forces, communities and mining » women’s meaningful inclusion companies to resolve human rights in peace processes; increasing issues associated with mining. support and protection to women resolving conflict; countering violent extremism; and building peace at the grassroots level. » supporting and advocating the right for all people, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity, to live with dignity, free from prejudice, violence or discrimination.

Case Studies of Programme Work The UK co-funded the NGO Reprieve to progress the campaign to abolish the death penalty in Malawi, which included funding for legal aid lawyers to improve capital defence skills as well as the delivery of community workshops. One notable achievement was the release of an individual on bail, after 19 years on death row. UK funding of TRIAL International delivered a more effective legal response to conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), including landmark prosecutions in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the Philippines, our work with the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) provided safety training for 18 women journalists in cities across the country. Topics included digital safety and security, device security, encryption, and video conferencing, to allow women journalists to be more able to protect themselves when reporting. CHAPTER 2: Human Rights and the Multilateral System 24

CHAPTER 2: Human Rights and the Multilateral System

Human Rights at the UN The UN is the leading international forum for the development of collective standards on human rights, scrutiny of human rights violations and abuses, and human rights dialogue between states. The main intergovernmental forum on human rights is the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council (HRC). Other important UN fora for human rights issues include the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Third Committee, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the UN Security Council (UNSC), and the UN Commission on the Status of Women. In 2020, the UK maintained its support for UN human rights resolutions at each HRC session, Arab territories), and one resolution work, and was again one of and as a member of the core group under Item 2 (High Commissioner’s the top ten donors to the Office for the UNGA Third Committee report). The UK opposes any of the High Commissioner for resolution. The March session of the proposed annexation of parts of Human Rights (OHCHR), providing HRC renewed the mandate of the the West Bank and we remain funding of around $9 million. This Commission of Inquiry on Syria. The committed to a two-state solution included support for projects on July resolution highlighted concerns with Jerusalem as the shared capital preventing conflict, combating around arbitrary detention. The of both Israel and Palestine. We sexual and gender-based violence, UK has repeatedly condemned all continued to support justified scrutiny and specific country issues. violations and abuses of international of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian human rights law and all violations Territories under appropriate agenda Human Rights Council of international humanitarian law. items, but remained concerned Against the backdrop of We provided a further £285,000 to by the HRC’s disproportionate COVID-19, the HRC was able the UN’s International, Impartial and focus on Israel, which does little to to continue its important work Independent Mechanism (IIIM). advance the two state solution. throughout 2020 with a mix of We worked with partners to convene We continued to support EU-led in-person and online working. the UNSC three times in 2020 to resolutions on the Democratic In October, the UK was elected to discuss the ongoing genocide People’s Republic of Korea the HRC for the 2021-23 term. As case against Myanmar at the (DPRK) at the March session of part of our campaign for election we International Court of Justice, the the HRC and at the UNGA Third committed: to promote 12 years of situation in Rakhine and Chin, and Committee. Both resolutions quality education for all girls, and to elections. The UK also played an addressed the most serious work to end violence against women active role in resolutions at the UNGA issues related to the dire human and girls; to stand up for freedom and HRC. We continued to fund rights situation in the DPRK. the IIMM to gather and preserve of thought, conscience, religion or In March, the HRC renewed the evidence of atrocities, and co- belief; to support democratic values; mandate of the Special Rapporteur hosted a donor conference on the and to be at the forefront of global on Iran. We remained part of the crisis with the US, EU, and the UN efforts to protect media freedom. core group on the UNGA Third Refugee Agency in September. Committee resolution. Throughout Country Issues The March session of the HRC the year, we continued to highlight adopted four resolutions under our concerns about limitations on The UK continued to lead action Item 7 (Human rights situation in freedom of religion or belief, and on human rights in Syria, drafting Palestine and other occupied restrictions on freedom of expression, 25 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

the lack of the rule of law, and on the access to Xinjiang for independent US, Russia and OIC delegations’ failure to uphold the rights of women. observers, including the UN High tactics designed to disrupt Commissioner for Human Rights negotiation proceedings, including At the HRC session in March, the and members of her Office. At the opposing previously agreed language government of Sri Lanka withdrew September Council, Lord Tariq on reproductive rights, tabling last- its support for HRC resolutions on Ahmad of Wimbledon delivered minute amendments, and triggering post-conflict transitional justice, our ‘Item 4’ national statement[46] votes on gender-related resolutions. accountability, and reconciliation. focused entirely on China. The UK The US also led an anti-abortion The Sri Lankan Government was one of 39 countries to raise ‘Geneva Consensus Declaration[49]’ announced its commitment concerns[47] about the situation in that drew the support of 35 states. to a domestic mechanism for Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet at the These attacks on the rights of women reconciliation and accountability, UNGA Third Committee in October. and girls were concerning, at a time but there was no progress on this. of increasing sexual and gender- Across the three HRC sessions At the UNGA Third Committee, as based violence around the world, in 2020, the UK also worked with a member of the core group, the with women and girls facing reduced partners to mandate an international UK supported a resolution tabled access to essential health services. fact finding mission in Libya, to by Ukraine on human rights in We were disappointed that the renew the mandate of the UN Crimea. The resolution condemned Egypt-led UNGA resolution on the Commission on Human Rights in Russia’s illegal annexation, impact of COVID-19 on women and South Sudan, and to renew the and sought to ensure Russia’s girls failed to include the importance mandates of (among others) the accountability for its actions there. of SRHR, or the Beijing Declaration Special Rapporteurs on Eritrea and and Platform for Action. We showed The September session of the HRC Belarus, and Independent Experts multilateral leadership, for example adopted two resolutions on Yemen, on Mali, the Central African lobbying to achieve record support including the renewal of the mandate Republic and Somalia, as well by 122 states for language on SRHR for the Group of Eminent Experts. We as the Commission of Inquiry on in the COVID-19 omnibus resolution remained clear that the only way to Burundi. We supported resolutions at UNGA. We also worked with other end the cycle of violence is through on the human rights situations in states to block a Russian-led UNSC a lasting political settlement and that Nicaragua, Georgia (relating to the resolution that would have weakened the UK would continue to support breakaway regions of Abkhazia and the normative framework of the the efforts of the UN Special Envoy. South Ossetia), Venezuela, DRC Women, Peace and Security agenda. (the Kasai region), the , In September, the HRC held an Philippines and . As in previous years, a group of urgent debate on the deteriorating Cambodia Sudan states attempted to remove a human rights situation in Belarus. reference to The UK delivered a national Thematic Issues sexual orientation (SOGI) in statement[44] in support of the and gender identity The tragic killing of George Floyd a Third Committee resolution on accompanying resolution, setting emphasised the need to work extrajudicial killings—the only UNGA out our serious concerns about harder to combat racism. During text with such a reference. The UK violence and repression by the the reconvened March session worked with like-minded states and Belarusian authorities towards and subsequent urgent debate[48], civil society, including through the peaceful protesters, journalists, the UK reaffirmed our commitment UN LGBTI Core Group, to protect opposition figures and civil to do that. We continued to be that reference, winning the support society representatives. one of the strongest advocates of a record number of 94 states. The UK raised concerns about for those UN mechanisms human rights in China at the HRC helping to combat racism. and the UNGA Third Committee. Universal Periodic Review We were concerned by consistent In June, the UK delivered a joint As a strong supporter of the Universal attacks in UN fora on Sexual and statement[45] at the HRC on Xinjiang Periodic Review (UPR) process, Reproductive Health and Rights and Hong Kong on behalf of 28 the UK participated in all reviews (SRHR). At the HRC and UNGA Third countries. In the statement, we in 2020 (28 in total) raising priority Committee in 2020, with like-minded urged China to allow immediate, human rights concerns. During states we pushed back against the meaningful, and unfettered Turkey’s review in January, we

[44] https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/un-human-rights-council-45-statement-for-the-urgent-debate-on-belarus [45] https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/un-human-rights-council-44-cross-regional-statement-on-hong-kong-and-xinjiang [46] https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/un-human-rights-council-45-uk-statement-for-the-item-4-general-debate [47] https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/joint-statement-on-the-human-rights-situation-in-xinjiang-and-recent-developments-in-hong-kong [48] https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/un-human-rights-council-43-urgent-debate [49] https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/geneva-consensus-declaration-english.pdf CHAPTER 2: Human Rights and the Multilateral System 26

expressed concern[50] about the UN Security Council the fifteenth anniversary of the harassment and imprisonment of Responsibility to Protect. journalists. We urged the Turkish The UN Security Council (UNSC) In 2020, we worked with our Government to remove obstacles has primary responsibility for the international partners to drive policy, to freedom of expression, including maintenance of international peace playing a leading role on Myanmar, by repealing criminal defamation and security. It comprises five Libya, Syria and Yemen in the UN laws and we welcomed Turkey’s permanent members (China, France, Security Council. The UK advocated acceptance of our recommendation Russia, the US and the UK) and R2P in international fora, and the on combatting child, early and forced ten non-permanent members. sharing of best practice to drive up marriage. During the Belarus review The UK takes the maximum standards and levels of protection. in November, we condemned[51] opportunity of its position on the the arbitrary detention, violence UNSC to promote human rights We funded the work of both the against and intimidation of peaceful objectives. In 2020, the UK voted joint UN Office on Genocide protesters, independent journalists, for UN Security Council Resolution Prevention and the Responsibility and members of the opposition. We 2532 on COVID-19, supporting the to Protect (£355,000) and the urged the Government of Belarus to UN Secretary-General’s call for a Global Centre for the Responsibility hold those responsible to account, global ceasefire in armed conflicts to Protect (£75,000). engage in constructive dialogue, and and his appeal to open up spaces fully implement the recommendations for diplomacy, protect the most Peacebuilding in the OSCE Moscow Mechanism vulnerable, allow humanitarian report. During Libya’s review in access, and focus our collective The UK is one of the strongest November, we expressed concern[52] energies on fighting COVID-19. The supporters of the Secretary- about indiscriminate attacks, UK acted as ‘penholder’ on UNSC General’s Sustaining Peace agenda, unlawful killings, sexual and gender- resolutions on Colombia, Cyprus, which aims to promote inclusive based violence, risks to migrants Iraq/Kuwait, the Lake Chad Basin, peacebuilding and tackle drivers of and refugees, and the silencing of Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan conflict. During 2020, we supported journalists, activists and human rights (together with Germany), Yemen, the Peacebuilding Architecture defenders. We urged the Libyan the Protection of Civilians, and Review (PBAR) through strong Government to do its part to commit Women Peace and Security (UNSCR participation in negotiations, and to implementing the ceasefire and 1325). We pressed for discussions by funding consultation on the to the UN-led political process. at the UNSC on serious human role of the International Financial rights violations and abuses where Institutions in driving long-term approaches to peacebuilding. At Treaty Monitoring Bodies these constituted a concern for international peace and security. the conclusion of the PBAR, we and Special Procedures played a key role in negotiating the twin resolutions in the Security The UK supports the work of Responsibility to Protect and the UN’s expert human rights Council and the General Assembly, mechanisms, including the treaty Mass Atrocity Prevention ensuring that inclusion and human monitoring bodies (bodies of The Responsibility to Protect (R2P) rights remained critical to UN efforts experts set up to monitor state is a political commitment adopted to build peace in fragile settings. compliance with their human rights by all UN Member States at the UN We continued to be an active treaty obligations), and special World Summit in New York in 2005. member of the Peacebuilding procedures (expert individuals or R2P focuses on the responsibility of Commission, including in the groups mandated by the HRC member states to protect populations development of its Gender Strategy to monitor and review specific from mass atrocities (genocide, Action Plan and supported the country or thematic issues). We war crimes, crimes against Peacebuilding Fund as a critical encourage all states to commit to humanity and ethnic cleansing). tool in UN efforts to tackle the accepting all visit requests. We In September, the UK voted to drivers of conflict in fragile countries. expect mandate holders to operate support R2P being a formal We funded the Humanitarian within the terms of their mandate, agenda item at the UN General Development Peace Partnership and to respect the code of conduct Assembly. We co-sponsored two Facility, which drives UN-World set out in HRC resolution 5/2. resolutions at the UN Human Bank cooperation on addressing Rights Council on the prevention root causes of conflict through joint of genocide and commemorating assessments. We advocated that the UN should improve the effectiveness of UN Special Political Missions,

[50] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/35th-universal-periodic-review-uk-statement-on-turkey [51] https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/36th-universal-periodic-review-uk-statement-on-belarus [52] https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/36th-universal-periodic-review-uk-statement-on-libya 27 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

mediation functions, UN Country The impact of war falls primarily their strong collective commitment Teams, and Resident Coordinator on civilians, particularly to the core Commonwealth values functions, and should draw more women and children. Women of human rights and the rule of coherence between its operational peacekeepers improve the law. This marked the first time arms and agencies, such as UNDP. effectiveness and efficiency of that the Commonwealth as a Through our support to the UN peacekeeping missions and their group had addressed the HRC. Peace and Development Advisers ability to protect civilians and The UK continued to fund two programme, we helped advance uphold human rights. In the 20th resident human rights advisers at discussions on human rights in anniversary year of the first women, the Commonwealth Small States fragile and conflict-affected states. peace and security resolution, the Office (CSSO) in Geneva. They UK committed a further £2.5 million provided technical assistance to to the Elsie Initiative to increase Peacekeeping Commonwealth small states in the number of uniformed women their engagement with the Human UN peacekeeping helps countries in peacekeeping and build more Rights Council. This support navigate the difficult path from inclusive peace operations. helped Commonwealth member conflict to peace. Its 13 missions states including The Gambia, Fiji, in 2020 deployed over 90,000 Guyana, Grenada, Kiribati and personnel, supporting political Commonwealth Malawi with their engagement processes, protecting hundreds of Since the creation of the modern in the Universal Periodic Review thousands of civilians and laying the Commonwealth in 1949, the reporting system (UPR). The groundwork for sustainable peace. promotion of peace, democracy Solomon Islands and Vanuatu The UK is a leading contributor and human rights has been central also received specific technical to the delivery and reform of to members’ shared purpose. The assistance to draft and deliver peacekeeping. In the Security UK hosted the 25th Commonwealth statements at several HRC sessions. Council, we ensured that mission Heads of Government Meeting The UK supported the sharing of mandates prioritised the protection (CHOGM) in 2018, when it assumed human rights best practice and of civilians and their protection from the responsibility of Commonwealth expertise, through its continued human rights violations and abuses. Chair-in-Office. In September funding of the Equality and Human As co-penholder with Germany, 2020, we published a Chair-in- Rights Commission (EHRC) in its role we secured the smooth drawdown Office report[53] setting out how UK as chair of the Commonwealth Forum of the UN-African Union hybrid leadership had supported the delivery of National Human Rights Institutions operation in Darfur (UNAMID) in of CHOGM 2018 commitments, (CFNHRI). Through the Pacific Sudan, and established the UN including on human rights. Commonwealth Equality Project, Integrated Transition Assistance Following the postponement of which ran from July 2019 until March Mission Sudan (UNITAMS), CHOGM 2020, we look forward to 2020, the UK, in partnership with the the follow-on special political the gathering of the Commonwealth Pacific Community Regional Rights mission. We continued to push for family in Kigali for a rescheduled Resource Team, supported the enhanced pledges of personnel CHOGM when the global situation establishment and strengthening of and equipment, and stronger allows. In the meantime, the UK National Human Rights Institutions performance throughout missions continues to work as Chair-in-Office. in the Pacific, including by sharing supporting the Secretary-General’s the experiences of the Northern Action for Peacekeeping initiative. Human Rights Council Ireland Human Rights Commission. The UK deployed 300 troops to Joint Commonwealth the UN Multidimensional Integrated Commonwealth COVID-19 Stabilization Mission in Mali Statement—a (MINUSMA), in support of the Commonwealth First and Racism Statements mission’s mandated objectives In October 2020, Rita French, the In July 2020, Commonwealth to protect civilians and support UK’s International Ambassador Heads of Government—on the sustainable peace in Mali. The for Human Rights, delivered UK’s initiative—issued a joint UK also continued to provide a joint statement[54] on behalf Commonwealth statement[55] on the training for police- and troop- of all 54 member states of the full range of international responses contributing countries compliant Commonwealth at the UN Human to the COVID-19 pandemic and its with human rights standards. Rights Council (HRC), reflecting consequences. Heads committed

[53] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-commonwealth-chair-in-office-report-2018-to-2020-delivery-of-commonwealth-summit- commitments [54] https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/un-human-rights-council-45-joint-commonwealth-statement-item-10-general-debate [55] https://thecommonwealth.org/media/news/commonwealth-issues-joint-statement-covid-19-pandemic CHAPTER 2: Human Rights and the Multilateral System 28

to ensure that response measures for civil society organisations; and a of the CoE, held its annual Ministerial- did not disproportionately impact on series of dialogues and knowledge level meeting virtually, coinciding with the human rights and fundamental exchanges across Africa, the the 70th anniversary of the ECHR. In freedoms of Commonwealth Caribbean, the Pacific and Asia. his intervention, the Minister of State citizens, and reaffirmed their with responsibility for the Council In November 2020, to mark the unwavering commitment to the of Europe, James Cleverly, urged 20th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 core values and principles set out the CoE to do more to support on Women, Peace and Security, in the Commonwealth Charter. member States in ensuring equality Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon of access to justice for all. He also The Foreign Secretary chaired a hosted a virtual event celebrating the called on the Russian Federation virtual Commonwealth Foreign UK-supported Women Mediators to respect the independence, Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) across the Commonwealth sovereignty and territorial integrity in October 2020, after which— Network and the International Civil of Georgia and Ukraine. again on the UK’s initiative— Society Action Network (ICAN). the Ministers issued a strong The UK continued to press joint statement on racism[56]— Russia to fulfil all its obligations committing Commonwealth Europe as a CoE member State, and members to accelerate efforts expressed concern regarding to address the causes of racism Council of Europe amendments to its foreign agents’ and racial discrimination. law, and designations under its The UK is a founder member undesirable organisations law. of the Council of Europe (CoE) Commonwealth Ministerial and one of five major financial The UK also expressed concern at Action Group contributors (€33.8 million in 2020). Turkey’s delayed implementation Our membership continued to of European Court of Human Rights Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, (ECtHR) judgments regarding as Minister for the Commonwealth, provide an important platform for the promotion and protection of the imprisonment of human represented the UK at meetings rights activists and opposition of the Commonwealth Ministerial human rights, democracy and the rule of law across Europe. politicians, and joined calls for Action Group (CMAG) in March the immediate release of Osman and October 2020. CMAG received In response to the COVID-19 Kavala and Selahattin Demirtas. updates from the Commonwealth pandemic, eleven member Secretary-General on developments States derogated from European The UK noted the interim resolution in member states, and recognised Convention on Human Rights in the McKerr group of cases before the important work of the (ECHR) obligations; the UK the ECtHR and remained committed Commonwealth’s organisations in maintained that such emergency to keeping the Council informed advancing the fundamental political measures should be time-sensitive, of progress in all UK cases. values of the Commonwealth. proportionate and exercised only In the ECtHR, the number of cases to the extent strictly necessary. The brought against the UK decreased to Gender Equality UK highlighted the disproportionate 301, down from 344 in 2019; those and Inclusion impact of the pandemic on that went to a judgment remained vulnerable groups, and shared best low, as did the number of judgments The UK worked closely with a practice in upholding equality. that found violations. The Court’s range of partners to protect and ongoing caseload increased to promote the rights of LGBT+ people The UK continued to oppose discrimination on any grounds, 62,000 at the end of 2020. The UK in Commonwealth countries, continued to advocate reform of the including the Equality and Justice including calling for greater protection of LGBT+ rights in Court, to allow it to concentrate on Alliance (EJA)—a consortium of the most important cases before it. NGOs advancing equality and member States. In February, the UK equal protection before the law for coordinated a statement highlighting In 2021, the UK will again support women, girls and LGBT+ people the importance of combatting the use of all CoE mechanisms across the Commonwealth. Projects discrimination and persecution both to put pressure on and supported by the UK in 2020 based on religion or belief. The UK to support member States to included: technical assistance also delivered national statements meet their ECHR obligations. programmes in a number of on issues such as anti-racism, the countries supporting the review and death penalty and gender equality. drafting of legislation covering issues In November, the Committee of such as hate crimes, discrimination Ministers, the intergovernmental arm and online abuse; capacity-building

[56] https://thecommonwealth.org/sites/default/files/inline/CFAMM%28VIR%29%2820%29%289%29REV3%20Commonwealth%20Statement%20 on%20Racism%202020.pdf 29 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

Organization for Security had been falsified, and that the In March, the UK Co-ordinator for the and Cooperation in Europe Belarusian authorities and security Global Media Freedom campaign, forces had perpetrated sustained Alastair King Smith, visited Brussels The Organization for Security and and systematic violations of human to discuss the UK’s media freedom Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) rights and fundamental freedoms. priorities and the Media Freedom provides a forum for dialogue, Coalition with EU partners. including on human rights, rule of The UK supported the Albanian law and democratic governance, OSCE Chair to deliver shared As part of the events to mark the between the 57 participating States. human rights priorities, including the 20th Anniversary of UNSCR 1325 prevention of torture, on which the on Women, Peace and Security, the Despite COVID-19, the OSCE Office OSCE agreed a Ministerial Council UK Mission to the EU co-hosted a of Democratic Institutions and Human Decision. Lord Pickles, Special Envoy roundtable entitled ‘Gender, Climate Rights (ODIHR) was able to conduct for Post-Holocaust issues, led the and Conflict: Women, Peace and electoral observation missions, UK delegation to the Tirana High Security (WPS) in a vulnerable world’ although limited missions were Level Conference on Combatting together with partner organisations. only possible in some States. The Antisemitism in the OSCE region. In November, Minister for Human exceptional circumstances, however, Our support also included Rights, Lord Tariq Ahmad of prevented the annual Human increasing the focus on human Wimbledon, met the EU Special Dimension Implementation Meeting rights considerations in UK-chaired Representative for Human Rights, from taking place in September. meetings of the Security Committee. Eamon Gilmore, to exchange In April, 43 participating States Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama views on human rights priorities. joined a UK-led statement on hosted the OSCE’s first online The meeting reiterated our shared [57] gender concerns and COVID-19 . Ministerial Council in December. commitment to advancing the The UK also delivered a national In the plenary, the Foreign human rights agenda, and paved statement on human rights and Secretary, Dominic Raab, called the way for future discussions. [58] COVID-19 . During the year, the for the implementation in full of the In December, the EU agreed and UK delivered national statements recommendations of Professor published its Action Plan on Human about human rights issues in various Benedek’s report on Belarus. The Rights 2020-2024, citing many areas OSCE participating States, including UK organised a side event to discuss [59] of shared interest between the EU Russia, Belarus and Turkey . the implementation of Professor and the UK, such as freedom of Benedek’s recommendations, with In the Permanent Council of religion or belief, media freedom and an intervention from the Minister the OSCE, the UK condemned the promotion of gender equality. Russia’s violations of human for European Neighbourhood and rights in illegally annexed Crimea. the Americas, Wendy Morton MP. The UK welcomed the launch We also raised human rights The Foreign Secretary also urged of the EU’s global human rights violations in non-government Russia to implement the 2018 sanctions Regime in December, controlled eastern Ukraine, Moscow Mechanism report’s having established our own Georgia’s breakaway regions of recommendations on Chechnya, autonomous equivalent regime in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and including ending the systematic July. This development provides in the Transnistrian region of the persecution of LGBT+ people. an opportunity for the UK and the EU to work together on human Republic of Moldova. During the In 2021, the UK will work with rights sanctions where it is in escalation of military hostilities Sweden, the incoming OSCE Chair, our shared interests to do so. between Armenia and Azerbaijan, to address ongoing challenges, we called on all parties to respect including on priority areas of In 2021, the UK will continue to work international humanitarian law. enhancing democracy and gender together with the EU, identifying In September, the UK led a group equality in the OSCE region. opportunities to drive forward our of 17 participating States to invoke shared priorities. Since March 2020, UK Ambassador for Human the Moscow Mechanism to establish European Union an independent investigation Rights, Rita French worked as into allegations of electoral and Following our departure from part of a group of 10 European human rights violations in Belarus. the EU on 31 January, the UK Human Rights Ambassadors to The appointed expert, Professor continued to work with the EU on issue joint statements on pressing Wolfgang Benedek, concluded shared human rights objectives, human rights issues of mutual that the electoral processes had and engaged regularly with the importance. In 2020, the group been fraudulent, that the results EU on human rights situations released 16 joint statements of concern around the world. covering areas such as women’s

[57] https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/joint-statement-on-domestic-and-sexual-violence-risks-under-covid-19-in-the-osce-region [58] https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/joint-statement-on-protecting-human-rights-during-the-covid-19-pandemic [59] All UK statements available here: https://www.gov.uk/world/uk-delegation-to-organization-for-security-and-co-operation-in-europe CHAPTER 2: Human Rights and the Multilateral System 30

The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) continued with its mandate of fulfilling the residual functions of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Although affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Stanisic and Simatovic retrial was ongoing throughout 2020, closing arguments were heard in April 2021 and we Foreign Secretary meets Judge Joanna Korner during her await the judgment. The Ratko campaign for election to the ICC, September 2020. Mladic appeal against his conviction genocide, crimes against humanity rights, media freedom, LGBT+ will be influential in ensuring that the and violations of the laws and rights and freedom of assembly. recommendations are implemented customs of war continued. Final These also included country- through its election to the Bureau of hearings were held in August 2020 specific statements and support for the Assembly of States Parties[60]. and a judgment is expected in 2021. individual human rights defenders The Prosecutor concluded four The UK also continued its support in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Preliminary Examinations in 2020. In for the Residual Special Court respect of Palestine, the Prosecutor for Sierra Leone (RSCSL) and International concluded that the criteria had been for the Extraordinary Chambers Criminal Justice met to proceed to an investigation, in the Courts of Cambodia subject to a jurisdictional ruling from (ECCC), as well as the Special A central element of UK foreign the Pre-Trial Chamber. In the case Tribunal for Lebanon and the policy is supporting international of Iraq, the Prosecutor concluded Kosovo Specialist Chambers criminal justice and accountability. that there was no basis under the Those who commit the most serious Rome Statute to proceed to a full Sanctions crimes of international concern investigation and formally closed must be held accountable. the Preliminary Examination. The Sanctions, such as arms embargoes, Prosecutor found that the UK’s asset freezes and travel bans, During 2020, the UK provided investigations into alleged crimes by practical and financial support are one of the instruments the UK soldiers in Iraq were genuine, UK uses to defend and promote to the International Criminal and so would not proceed to its Court, contributing £10.7 million human rights and democracy. own investigation. In the situations Sanctions aim to coerce a change in and cooperating on sentence in Nigeria and Ukraine, the enforcement and witness protection. unacceptable behaviour, constrain Prosecutor sought authorisation behaviour through limiting access A notable success was the to proceed to a full investigation. election in December of Judge to resources, or communicate Joanna Korner QC to the Court The UK continues to support a clear signal of disapproval. To international efforts to gather, ensure that sanctions are legally Concerns over the performance analyse and preserve evidence of robust and effective in delivering of the Court, raised by the UK and atrocities committed, to ensure our policies, the UK promotes a others, led to the establishment of that genuine accountability remains ‘Smarter Sanctions’ policy, ensuring the Independent Expert Review, possible. This includes through the maximum impact on sanctions which reported in September. the UN International Impartial and targets, while continuing to support The review made a number of Independent Mechanism (IIIM) legitimate humanitarian activities. recommendations to improve and the Independent Investigative In July, the UK established the Global the governance of the Court, the Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM). working methods of the judiciary, Human Rights sanctions regime and the process of investigations and The UK also continued to support the (GHR). This provides a powerful tool prosecutions. States Parties have work of the UN Investigative Team for to deter and provide accountability agreed a process to implement the the Accountability of Daesh (UNITAD), for serious human rights violations or recommendations, together with which collects, preserves, and abuses around the world. To coincide the principal organs of the Court— stores evidence in Iraq of acts which with the launch, the UK imposed the Office of the Prosecutor, the may amount to war crimes, crimes sanctions on 49 individuals and Judiciary, and the Registry. The UK against humanity and genocide entities in Russia, Saudi Arabia, committed by Daesh in Iraq. Myanmar and DPRK involved in

[60] Election was delayed from December 2020 to January 2021. 31 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, Sergei Magnitsky’s widow and son Natalia and Nikita and Bill Browder, Head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, following the launch of the UK’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime in July 2020. some of the most notorious human regime, the UK also supported rights violations and abuses in recent the EU’s sanctions on individuals years. This included designations and entities that supported the in relation to the mistreatment and political repression in Belarus. death of Sergei Magnitsky and In October, the UK implemented the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. EU sanctions to enforce asset In September, the UK, alongside freezes and travel bans against Canada, imposed sanctions on those responsible for the poisoning Alexander Lukashenko and seven of Russian anti-corruption and other members of the senior democracy activist, Alexey Navalny. Belarusian leadership for serious On 31 December, at the end of the human rights violations in Belarus. Transition Period, the vast majority On International Human Rights Day, of those designated under EU in coordinated action with the US, the sanctions regimes were designated UK announced designations under under UK autonomous sanctions the GHR against ten individuals regimes. In 2021, the UK will pursue and one entity from Chechnya, an independent sanctions policy, Venezuela, The Gambia and driven by UK foreign policy interests, Pakistan for involvement in including human rights priorities. In serious human rights violations, addition to GHR, there are 15 UK including torture and murder. autonomous geographic sanctions The UK also took action in response regimes with a human rights element. to human rights violations and Work began on a corruptions abuses under other sanctions sanctions regime, which was regimes. In February, the UK, with subsequently launched in April 2021. France, the US and Germany, co-designated Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) warlord, Seka Baluku, under the UN DRC regime. This marked the first individual to be sanctioned under the UN DRC regime for gender-based violence, and one of a small number worldwide. In February, the UK worked with EU partners to impose sanctions on eight businesspeople and two entities profiting from the conflict in Syria at the expense of ordinary Syrians. In addition to designating those responsible under the UK’s Global Human Rights sanctions CHAPTER 3: Consular Assistance 32

CHAPTER 3: Consular Assistance

The provision of consular assistance to feedback, including from the Where we receive allegations of is at the heart of the FCDO’s Victims’ Commissioner’s report torture and mistreatment, we attempt commitment to protect the interests ‘Struggling for Justice’[62] and the All to make contact with the individual of British nationals worldwide. In Party Parliamentary Group on Deaths concerned as soon as possible, and addition to helping thousands of Abroad and Consular Assistance. will follow up with action appropriate British nationals return to the UK, to the circumstances of the case. For in 2020 our consular staff provided Death Penalty example, if the person is detained professional, non-judgemental or hospitalised, our support might assistance in over 27,300 new cases The UK government opposes include increasing the frequency and around 9,100 ongoing cases, the use of the death penalty and of our visits or calls, assisting the irrespective of gender, race, age, judicial corporal punishment individual to gain access to medical sexual orientation, gender identity, in all circumstances, as a treatment, or taking up complaints marital status, disability, and religion matter of principle. about ill-treatment or personal or belief. We lobbied against the safety with the prison authorities. Where a British national is sentenced imposition of the death penalty to death, or is facing a charge While we cannot investigate torture and judicial corporal punishment, that carries the death penalty, or mistreatment allegations overseas, raised allegations of torture and with their permission, we normally we can, with the individual’s consent, mistreatment, and intervened to intervene at whatever level and raise such allegations with the local support those facing discrimination stage is considered most effective authorities, demanding an end to or other human rights violations. to prevent their execution. As at the mistreatment, the investigation of We supported over 1,985 people December 2020, the FCDO was the incident in line with international detained overseas, and provided providing consular assistance to standards, and that the perpetrators information and advice in over 750 ten British nationals sentenced to should be brought to justice. When potential cases of forced marriage. death overseas, and to a further 40 responding to an allegation, consular We continued to support victims British nationals detained on charges staff will avoid any action that might of crime, including those who had which could attract the death increase the risk to the person suffered rape and sexual assault, penalty if they were found guilty. concerned, or to any other person and those bereaved through murder who may be affected. If an individual and manslaughter overseas. We work closely with legal teams does not want to raise the allegations engaged by British nationals facing In January, we hosted a workshop to immediately, we can help them to the death penalty, and are assisted bring together the different agencies do so at a later date, for example, in this by Reprieve and the Death and organisations involved when a after they have returned to the UK. Penalty Project (DPP), two NGOs British national is killed overseas, that provide legal assistance and Furthermore, we hold regular ahead of launching a working group advice to those facing the death reviews of all such cases, to develop to improve information sharing penalty abroad. In 2021, we shall strategies to engage the local and coordination. In September, continue to intervene in death authorities and identify regional the FCDO, Chief Coroner for penalty cases where necessary and trends which the FCDO can address. England and Wales, and National seek opportunities to support local In December 2020, we reviewed a Police Chiefs Council, renewed a efforts to abolish the death penalty. total of 124 open cases. We also Memorandum of Understanding continued to train staff on relevant on Murder, Manslaughter and international obligations, including Infanticide of British nationals Torture and Mistreatment in relation to fair trial standards, Abroad[61]. This explained the type The UK takes all allegations of torture and on the appropriate action to of support available to bereaved or mistreatment of British nationals take when receiving an allegation families and clarified the role of the very seriously. Between January and of torture or mistreatment. FCDO, the police, and coroners December 2020, British nationals in England and Wales. In 2021, reported 91 new allegations of torture we shall continue to work with the or mistreatment overseas to consular Ministry of Justice and others to staff. Our priority in such cases is improve our services, responding the safety of the individual involved.

[61] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/murder-manslaughter-and-infanticide-of-british-nationals-abroad--2 [62] https://victimscommissioner.org.uk/published-reviews/struggling-for-justice-entitlements-and-experiences-of-bereaved-families-following- homicide-abroad 33 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

Consular staff across the globe undertook such efforts to ensure regular remote access to British nationals in detention, allowing us to maintain high standards of consular assistance while respecting local lockdown measures and upholding the safety of staff.

Forced Marriage The UK remains a world leader in the fight to tackle forced marriage, with the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU), a joint FCDO and Home Office unit, leading efforts to combat the practice at home and abroad. In 2020, the FMU provided advice or support related to a possible forced Overseas Prisoners welfare of British nationals detained marriage in over 750 cases relating to abroad. From March to November, 55 countries, including the UK. This As well as taking action on specific we undertook lobbying initiatives human rights violations, we aim to represented a decrease in cases of across the globe, to secure regular approximately 44% compared with support the welfare of all British remote access to British nationals by nationals in detention overseas 2019. This is thought to be largely telephone or video facility, including attributable to reasons flowing from who request consular assistance, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly where there may be the coronavirus pandemic, such India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. as restrictions on weddings and concerns about local conditions or In Pakistan, consular staff adapted about the standard of investigative overseas travel, which were in place to local movement restrictions by at various points from March 2020. or judicial proceedings. using remote engagement with As at December 2020, the FCDO both the detention centre and the The FMU continued to deliver provided consular assistance in British national to ensure the local outreach and training events in the 1,985 cases of British nationals authorities provided appropriate UK to a wide range of agencies, who had been arrested or detained medical treatment for an unwell safeguarding professionals and overseas (including those in police British detainee. In Abu Dhabi, by health officials. After March, all custody, in immigration detention, communicating to British detainees outreach was conducted virtually. It on remand, and sentenced through family members and over included a series of bespoke virtual prisoners). We continued to work the telephone, we ensured British workshops developed for frontline closely with, as well as part fund, national detainees knew how to police officers and, for the first time, Prisoners Abroad, an NGO offering raise concerns and maintained officials from social services. We emotional and practical support to regular contact with them. In Dubai held two training workshops for British detainees overseas and to police stations, we conducted a police officers in 2020, and have their families in the UK and abroad. programme of virtual visits to ensure now provided training to officers In 2020, we worked together on British detainees were offered in 38 police forces. Through these over 1,200 cases, including those consular assistance. Iran continued events, we aimed to raise awareness, involving vulnerable detainees. This to deny consular access to dual and to help professionals recognise work included helping detainees nationals in detention. During 2020, the warning signs, and take the access information about COVID-19 the Foreign Secretary, Dominic right action to protect children and, in some locations, enabling Raab, raised repeatedly with the and adults. The FMU increased access to hygiene products such as Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad its activities on social media and soap, masks and hand sanitiser. Javad Zarif the cases of a number updated its publications, such as of British-Iranians detained in Iran. its ‘Forced Marriage: A Survivors We also considered how we could [63] We will continue to raise all of our Handbook’ . The UK continued to mitigate the impact of visiting dual national detainee cases with fund NGOs, based both overseas restrictions, introduced in response Iran, including making requests for and in the UK, to provide refuge to the COVID-19 coronavirus them to receive appropriate medical for those at risk abroad, and to pandemic, on consular access, treatment and due process. support victims of forced marriage which remained a key means through who have returned from overseas. which consular staff monitor the

[63] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/survivors-handbook CHAPTER 4: Human Rights Priority Countries 34

CHAPTER 4: Human Rights Priority Countries

Afghanistan deliver more effective, accountable The UK’s Peace and Reconciliation and human rights-compliant Programme in Afghanistan, Rising violent conflict, terror security to protect and assist Afghan supported through the Conflict, attacks and a significant increase citizens, including particularly Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), in insecurity across Afghanistan vulnerable sectors of society. promoted women’s meaningful continued to be major obstacles participation in discussions on peace. Gender-based violence (GBV) to the progress of human rights in In 2020, it focused on capacity- remained a major concern. This issue the country. Serious violations of building support to the State Ministry was exacerbated by entrenched human rights, enabled through weak of Peace, women’s networks, and cultural attitudes, limited access to institutional governance and poor other civil society organisations. justice and COVID-19 lockdowns. implementation of the legislative The UK continued to fund GBV Freedom of worship is enshrined and judicial framework, threatened response services in six target in the Afghan Constitution, but media freedom, safety of religious provinces, including medical religious minorities continued to minority groups and women’s rights. and psychosocial assistance, face discrimination and experienced A UN report documented 8,820 referrals to legal services, and increasing insecurity. Following a civilian casualties in 2020, more shelter for GBV survivors. deadly attack on a Sikh Gurdwara than in any other country[64]. in Kabul in March, over 400 Sikhs Access to schooling in rural areas Anti-government elements— left Afghanistan. In November, for girls, especially in districts predominantly the Taliban and Islamic the first attack in nearly 20 years controlled by the Taliban, remained State-Khorasan Province—caused in the predominantly Hazara Shia challenging. Girls reported that the majority of civilian casualties. Muslim city of Bamiyan caused COVID-19 lockdowns left them at Despite the start of peace talks mass casualties. Officials from higher risk of GBV and poverty, with between the Afghan Government the British Embassy in Kabul met an increased burden of household and the Taliban in September, Taliban representatives from ethnic minority tasks, heightened levels of anxiety violence was higher than for the groups to hear their concerns. and depression, and disruption to same period in previous years. During a virtual visit to Afghanistan their learning. UK Girls’ Education in November, Rita French, UK Targeted violence by terrorist groups Challenge (GEC) projects prioritised International Ambassador for against government employees, ensuring girls’ safety and well-being, Human Rights, met members of the human rights defenders, activists and and innovating remote learning Hazara community to discuss the journalists increased significantly in mechanisms. The second phase of challenges they faced, and to reaffirm late 2020. The UN reported that 23 the GEC helped more than 70,000 the UK’s commitment in support of human rights defenders and media marginalised girls from 2019 to 2020 members of minority communities. workers were killed during 2020[65], access education and skills training. including nine in the final quarter of The Afghan media continued to be Women continued to have the year, despite the start of peace diverse and independent. The UK an increasingly active role in negotiations on 12 September. championed media freedom and government, law, media, business Women in the public sector and the UK officials regularly discussed and security. In July, a government media, as well as civilian women issues with NGOs and journalists. decree approved a proposal to and girls, have continued to be With UK support, Second Vice appoint women deputy governors targeted. This increasing trend of President Sarwar Danesh signed in all Afghanistan’s 34 provinces. targeted violence generates fear the Global Pledge on Media Eight women had been appointed and self-censorship amongst the Freedom for Afghanistan in January. by the end of 2020. Campaigners for population. The UK called for a In July, following pressure from women’s rights achieved a significant reduction in violence leading to a media and embassies in Kabul, victory in September when the sustainable ceasefire, and stressed the Afghan parliament rejected Government approved a law allowing the importance of compliance with proposed legislative amendments mothers’ names as well as fathers’ international humanitarian law. The that would have restricted the to appear on national identity cards. UK supported the Afghan National media landscape. However, the Defence and Security Forces to country remained a deadly place

[64] https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_report_2020_revs3.pdf [65] https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/unama_special_report_killing_of_human_rights_defenders_and_journalists_in_ afghanistan_2018-2021_february_2021.pdf 35 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

for journalists. Six Afghan journalists Africa James Cleverly, and the UK World Health Organisation (WHO) and media workers were killed Ambassador to Bahrain Roddy guidelines, by introducing video calls by anti-government elements in Drummond each restated to senior Bahrain took early action to ensure targeted attacks. Individuals and members of the Bahrain Government that detainees continued to have media outlets received threats, or the UK’s firm opposition to the safe access to medical facilities were forced to censor their output, death penalty in all circumstances and contact with family members. and a number of journalists— as a matter of principle. From April until the end of the year, mostly women—fled Afghanistan. there were approximately 10,000 Despite constitutional guarantees, (physical and virtual) healthcare At the Afghanistan 2020 Geneva Bahrain’s approach to freedom consultations in Bahrain’s detention Conference in November, the of expression continued to be of centres. We welcomed these actions. UK pledged further development concern, with the country dropping assistance for 2021 to support one place to 169 out of 180 countries The prison population was reduced essential services to the Afghan in the 2020 World Press Freedom significantly, both by 169 royal people. Our development partnership Index[66]. Protections for journalists pardons, and by increased use of with the Government is based and bloggers, and a culture of self- alternative sentencing legislation, on principles in the Afghanistan censorship, were the key issues. which led to the release of over 900 Partnership Framework and sets It was encouraging that Reuters prisoners from custodial sentences. out the importance of focusing on and AFP gained representation By the end of 2020, over 4,200 poverty reduction, progress in the in Bahrain. However, challenges detainees had benefitted from peace process, tackling corruption, persisted for international journalists alternative sentencing. The UK protection of women, the rights seeking access to the country. welcomed the release in May of of members of minority groups, A revised press law, to provide activist Nabeel Rajab from detention and human rights in general. additional protections for journalists, into an alternative sentence. After did not gain parliamentary approval, his release, Mr Rajab worked with In 2021, the UK will continue to urge and the timing and detail of the Bahrain’s National Institute for Human both parties to the peace talks to planned legislation remained vague, Rights, using social media to provide ensure that any future settlement particularly regarding social media. details of his work and accounts of protects and expands the progress community projects, and to explain made on human rights, including Allegations of human rights violations his recent experiences in prison. We protection for women and members mainly focused on reports of encouraged the Bahrain authorities of minority groups. We hope that torture, unsafe convictions, and the to monitor the broader impact of peace talks will lead to a sustainable rights and treatment of detainees. alternative sentencing, such as re- political settlement and a better There was increasingly transparent offending rates, and to consider new future for the people of Afghanistan. reporting by Bahrain’s oversight ways of supporting former offenders. bodies, including through the Annual Ombudsman Report, and the UK Under the chairmanship of the Bahrain continued to advocate thorough Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullatif Bahrain responded progressively investigations and reports that would bin Rashid Al Zayani, Bahrain’s to the human rights implications of meet international standards. High Coordination Committee for Human Rights began the process COVID-19, particularly concerning Bahrain’s response to COVID-19 of drafting Bahrain’s first National prisoners and migrant workers. demonstrated a welcome focus on Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP). The Bahrain Government also protecting the rights of vulnerable This involved seeking the views and began drafting an integrated people and safeguarding wider active participation of domestic and National Human Rights Action society. The Government made international stakeholders, in a series Plan. Challenges remained access to medical treatment for of thematic human rights workshops. around freedom of expression COVID-19 available free of charge Participants included Lord Ahmad and the death penalty. to all Bahrain citizens and residents, and Jennifer Townson, UK Migration including the migrant worker The death penalty remained a and Modern Slavery Envoy, and a community. In recognition of the punishment for certain crimes. No range of senior officials from the economic impact of the pandemic executions were carried out in 2020, UN and other international bodies. on migrant workers, the Government but Bahrain’s Court of Cassation In December, Rita French, UK also introduced a visa amnesty did uphold the death penalty for International Ambassador for Human from March to December, resulting four individuals, with no further Rights, visited Bahrain virtually and in the “normalisation of status” for avenue for appeal. The Minister discussed the NHRAP, and engaged over 30,000 workers who might responsible for human rights, Lord on issues including women’s rights otherwise have lost their jobs. It Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister and migrant labour. In 2021 we also provided cash assistance to for the Middle East and North look forward to the finalisation and those unable to work. In line with

[66] https://rsf.org/en/ranking CHAPTER 4: Human Rights Priority Countries 36

implementation of the NHRAP, to Media freedom remained under targeted by extremists who used deliver further reforms in Bahrain. pressure. Bangladesh dropped to section 28(2) of the DSA (harming 151 (out of 180) in the Reporters religious sentiment) to file cases Without Borders Press Freedom against them. There were attacks People’s Republic Index[68], its lowest ever position. on 67 minority places of worship, of Bangladesh According to NGO Article 19, 198 including temples, monasteries and cases were brought under the statues. Hindus reported incidents of There was no overall improvement DSA against 451 individuals. 75 land grabbing, particularly following in the human rights situation in journalists were charged in 41 cases, demonstrations against France in Bangladesh in 2020. Key concerns and at least 32 journalists were November. In the Chittagong Hill included further restrictions of arrested. Over 400 other people, Tracts, the Mro indigenous people freedom of expression, including including health professionals and demonstrated in November against the use of the Digital Security people critical of the Government’s plans to construct a five-star hotel Act (DSA) to suppress criticism handling of COVID-19, were which threatened to displace of the Bangladesh Government’s charged under the DSA. A journalist them from their ancestral lands. COVID-19 response, and continued investigating an Awami League- Violence against women remained violence against women and girls. linked prostitution ring disappeared a major problem. Local human for 53 days, and was arrested when Political freedom remained restricted. rights groups reported that 1,627 found near the Indian border. The Dhaka City Corporation women had been raped. Human elections in February were marred The UK supported the second rights activists blamed the absence by widespread allegations of conference of the Bangladesh of effective law enforcement, voter intimidation and attacks Broadcast Journalist Centre, exacerbated by COVID-19, for on opposition candidates. The where broadcast journalists and the increase in cases of rape. In Government criticised the UK High expert panellists discussed the October, in response to high profile Commission and other diplomatic protection of journalists and media cases and unprecedented large- missions for observing the elections. freedom. On the International Day scale demonstrations against There were further incidents to End Impunity for Crimes against sexual violence, the Government of violence and allegations of Journalists in November, the UK approved an amendment allowing intimidation and voter suppression co-hosted a virtual pre-conference for the death penalty in rape cases. during by-elections in November. alongside Article 19 South Asia and The UK worked with partners to In March, opposition leader Khaleda the Canadian High Commission, press for better implementation of Zia was released from prison to prepare for the second Global legislation to protect and promote following a government decision Conference for Media Freedom. the status of women and girls. to suspend her sentence for six UK programme funds supported a UK-funded NGOs and civil society months on the condition that she project to help journalists reporting groups led nationwide advocacy received medical treatment at during the COVID-19 pandemic. against growing sexual violence towards women and children, and home and did not travel abroad. UK programme funds supported demanded justice for survivors. She remained under house a number of other human rights arrest in Dhaka throughout 2020, priorities, including democratic We recognised and commended following an extension to her governance and tackling modern the fact Bangladesh continued to suspension in September. slavery. The UK-funded Death host around 860,000 Rohingya Local human rights groups estimated Penalty Project examined socio- refugees in its Cox’s Bazar District. that law enforcement agencies were economic profiles of death row In April and May, the Bangladesh responsible for 225 extra judicial prisoners, aiming to help shape authorities rescued several boatloads killings, including ‘crossfires’ and debate with policy makers and civil of refugees from the Bay of Bengal. incidents of torture. In August, society on abolishing the death Some were taken to Bhasan Char, following the killing of a retired penalty. FCDO programming an island in the Bay of Bengal army officer by police, extra-judicial also helped address governance developed as a facility for refugees by killings received unprecedented issues under the Access to the Government. In December, two public attention and the number Justice and Securing Political groups of refugees were relocated reported dropped. There were at Participation programmes. from Cox’s Bazar to Bhasan Char. The UK and other partners least 31 reported cases of enforced While the Government continued continued to call for technical disappearances. Two executions to give strong support to religious and protection assessments by were reported, and 218 death freedom, religious minorities, the UN to evaluate the safety and sentences were handed down, including Ahmadiyya Muslims and [67] sustainability of Bhasan Char. In compared with 327 in 2019 . Hindus, reported that they had been

[67] http://odhikar.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Death-Penalty_2010-2020.pdf [68] https://rsf.org/en/bangladesh 37 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

the Cox’s Bazar refugee camps, restrictions on internet access Red and white opposition colours on display in protest against hindered humanitarian operations the Belarusian regime—March for Heroes, September 2020. and public health messaging around COVID-19 throughout 2020. The impact of COVID-19 in the camps was less than initially feared, with 367 reported cases and ten deaths[69]. In October, the UK co-hosted a virtual donor conference on the Rohingya crisis alongside the US, EU and UN, and pledged £37.5 million of new funding. This brought the total UK commitment to the Rohingya response in Bangladesh since August 2017 to £293.5 million. UK funding, delivered through UN agencies and NGOs, provided food, healthcare and banning the wearing and display The UK condemned the actions clean water and sanitation for the of opposition colours, and songs of the Belarusian authorities. Rohingya and host communities. or poetry associated with the The UK was at the forefront of In 2021, the UK will continue opposition movement. Breaches of the international response to the to address governance and this ban were treated as unauthorised fraudulent August election and the human rights concerns through demonstrations and punished by subsequent crackdown, including diplomatic engagement and fines and arrests. Opposition figures calling for an independent OSCE development programming. were arrested and faced politically investigation through the Moscow motivated criminal charges and, Mechanism into human rights in some cases, they were forcibly abuses and electoral fraud. We Belarus exiled or fled abroad. This included repeatedly urged the Belarusian The human rights situation in leading opposition figure Svetlana authorities to cease their campaign Belarus seriously deteriorated in Tikhanovskaya. The Belarusian of violence and harassment against the run-up to and aftermath of the Catholic Archbishop, Tadeusz journalists, human rights defenders fraudulent Presidential election in Kondrusiewicz, was exiled for four and civil society actors. We also August. Following the start of the months after speaking out against supported work to implement the election campaign in May, Belarusian the government crackdowns. recommendations of the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism report. On authorities launched a sustained The regime arbitrarily detained tens 24 August, we suspended defence and brutal campaign involving the of thousands of peaceful protesters. cooperation with Belarus. On repression of democratic rights, Human rights organisations, 29 September, we introduced human rights and fundamental including Human Rights Watch sanctions against Lukashenko freedoms. Belarusian security and Viasna, issued reports on the and his inner circle under the UK’s forces detained over 30,000 appalling conditions and treatment of Global Human Rights sanctions people, and more than 150 people detainees. UN human rights experts regime, as part of our coordinated faced politically motivated criminal made statements on reports of international approach with charges. There were five fatalities torture, threats of sexual violence, Canada. On 18 December, we associated with the crackdown. and other forms of physical and transitioned the EU sanctions psychological torture inside detention Belarusian authorities prevented all regime on Belarus into UK law. non-sanctioned public gatherings centres. An investigatory report and events. To enforce this, the on Belarus by Professor Wolfgang The Belarusian authorities deliberately authorities deployed violence, backed Benedek, an appointed rapporteur targeted independent journalists by the use of stun grenades, rubber under the Organization for Security and media organisations. There bullets, tear gas and water cannon, to and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) were more than 400 incidents of disperse large, peaceful gatherings. Moscow Mechanism, concluded that reported persecution of media The Deputy Minister of Interior electoral and human rights violations actors. In 2020, Belarusian journalists Gennady Kazakevich threatened had occurred on a massive and collectively spent over 1,200 days the use of lethal weapons to disrupt systematic scale. The authorities in prison simply for doing their protests and demonstrations further. acted in an environment of impunity, job. Members of the Press Club The authorities introduced laws with no investigations despite Belarus, an organisation working thousands of complaints of violations. on improving journalistic standards,

[69] https://cxbhealth.info/post/covid-19-dashboard/. World Health Organisation data taken from December 2020. CHAPTER 4: Human Rights Priority Countries 38

were arrested. Belarusian authorities step towards abolition of the death perpetrators of violence. There were denied or withdrew accreditation penalty, and condemned sentences. credible reports from the UN panel from journalists, including those The British Embassy funded an of experts of human rights violations working for foreign media. A leading Amnesty International exhibition that and abuses, killings, conflict-related independent media organisation, promoted the campaign against sexual violence, attacks against Tut.by, had its official media status the death penalty in Belarus. With humanitarian personnel and UN removed. An increasing number the help of the local human rights peacekeepers, denial of humanitarian of independent news websites organisation Viasna, the exhibition assistance, and recruitment of were blocked, and the authorities was shown in cities across Belarus. children into armed groups. The routinely shut down internet access. COVID-19 pandemic and escalating In 2021, the UK will continue to The broadcasting equipment of security concerns reduced raise its concerns on the human many journalists was damaged monitoring of human rights violations rights situation both directly with or confiscated, and footage was and abuses, and also resulted in a the Belarusian Government and in deleted. From September, the UK temporary reduction of humanitarian multilateral fora, including the OSCE doubled its financial support of assistance and disruption to CAR’s and the UN. We shall also continue £1.5 million to protect and develop main transport artery between supporting work to implement the civil society and independent Bangui and Douala, Cameroon. recommendations of the OSCE media in Belarus, to provide a Moscow Mechanism report. State forces, including members of total of £3 million for 2020-22. the CAR armed forces, the police Belarus remained the only country and the gendarmerie, were alleged to in Europe to retain the death Central African be responsible for a range of human penalty. Four people remained Republic rights violations, and breaches on death row. In January, a new of international humanitarian law, parliamentary working group was The human rights situation in the with women and children the main established to engage on the Central African Republic (CAR) victims. Yao Agbetse, the UN issue, but there was no outreach in deteriorated sharply ahead of Independent Expert on the situation 2020. The UK continued to lobby milestone presidential and legislative of human rights in CAR, noted that the Belarusian Government to elections in December. Armed one year after the signing of the establish a moratorium as a first group signatories to the 2019 Peace Agreement in February 2019, Peace Agreement were the main

Justice ambassadors, survivors of sexual violence and UK government staff standing outside the International Criminal Court—Bangui, CAR, March 2020. 39 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

intermittent but serious incidents of This funding supported the political escalation of violence in CAR. violence and human rights abuses participation of women, youth and Throughout the electoral period, the and violations continued to occur[70]. other marginalised groups in CAR’s UK used public statements at the elections. The Minister for Africa UNSC to condemn the violence, Armed groups were responsible also emphasised the importance deplore the many civilian and UN for the majority of reported human of the CAR authorities and all peacekeeping casualties[75], and rights violations and abuses[71], actors respecting constitutional call for dialogue between all political despite being signatories to the processes and using levers at their actors in CAR. We also expressed Peace Agreement and having disposal to ensure peaceful, free, our concern and disappointment publicly committed to the credible and inclusive elections. that refugees from CAR had COVID-19 ceasefire called for by been excluded from voting. the UN Secretary-General, António On 17 December, an escalation in Guterres. The Peace Agreement tensions led to six significant armed In 2021, the UK will continue to is an important framework for the groups announcing the formation push for the UNSC to remain protection of human rights in CAR. of ‘The Coalition of Patriots for engaged on CAR, in the aftermath of Change’. This coalition brought elections, and for a range of voices The UK supported efforts towards together armed groups which had to be heard. We shall continue to building peace and stability in CAR previously been in violent conflict with support partners responding to the through our £40 million contribution one another, with the objective of humanitarian crisis and advocate to the UN Peacekeeping Mission destabilising elections. The coalition adherence to the Peace Agreement. (MINUSCA), which includes a human publicly denounced the Peace rights division. We worked with Agreement and succeeded in seizing international partners to ensure that control of a number of small towns, China protection of civilians remained at with Central African armed forces the core of the mission’s mandate, The human rights situation in China unable to fight back. The coalition including during the electoral period. continued to deteriorate in 2020. prevented the deployment of critical Evidence grew of widespread and In both March and July 2020, the election materials, disrupted the serious violations in Xinjiang against UK took robust action to protect mobilisation of voters in pursuing the Uyghur muslims. The authorities the Peace Agreement along with their right to vote, and burned continued to place extensive all members of the UN Security a number of polling stations. restrictions on media freedom, Council (UNSC), by sanctioning the The UN Independent Expert on freedom of expression, and freedom leaders of the FDPC and 3R armed the situation of human rights in of religion or belief. China’s detention groups, who had been listed under the CAR, Yao Agbetse, confirmed and poor treatment of human the UN CAR sanctions regime. that thousands of Central Africans rights defenders (HRDs) persisted, In September, during the 45th had been victims of torture, ill- as did restrictions preventing civil session of the UN Human Rights treatment or death threats for society from operating freely. Council (HRC), the UK co-sponsored exercising their right to vote in There was extensive evidence a resolution on technical assistance the first round of elections on 27 of the scale and severity of the and capacity-building for human [73] December . Insecurity and fear human rights violations being rights in CAR, which was adopted of attacks related to elections perpetrated in Xinjiang. Leaked by the HRC on 7 October. The caused the further displacement and publicly available Chinese resolution renewed the mandate of of 62,000 people within CAR’s government documents, satellite the UN Independent Expert for one borders, and the flight of a further imagery analysis, and first-hand year, and kept CAR on the Council 30,000 into neighbouring Cameroon, testimonies gave further evidence agenda for future sessions[72]. Democratic Republic of Congo, of ‘political re-education camps’— Chad and Republic of Congo[74]. In October, at a high-level virtual where over a million Uyghurs event on CAR during the UN General On 24 December, the UK supported and individuals from other ethnic Assembly, the Minister for Africa, the UNSC’s decision to redeploy minorities were detained—and James Duddridge, announced the 300 UN peacekeepers serving with of the region’s expanding prison UK’s £500,000 contribution to the the UN Mission in South Sudan network. Visits by members of UN Development Programme’s (UNMISS) and two helicopters the British Embassy in Beijing basket fund for CAR elections. to MINUSCA, in response to the corroborated open source reporting.

[70] https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G20/215/85/PDF/G2021585.pdf?OpenElement [71] https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G20/215/85/PDF/G2021585.pdf?OpenElement [72] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/un-human-rights-council-45-interactive-dialogue-with-the-independent-expert-on-central-african- republic [73] https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=26664&LangID=E [74] https://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/unhcr-concerned-about-thousands-central-africans-fleeing-election [75] https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sc14420.doc.htm CHAPTER 4: Human Rights Priority Countries 40

Severe restrictions remained on of torture and mistreatment in including the Foreign Secretary, the practice of religion and culture. detention, and in many cases Dominic Raab and Lord Tariq Credible reports mounted of forced detainees could not meet lawyers Ahmad, made public statements labour and forced birth control[76]. of their choosing. In a secret trial, and consistently raised concerns Uyghurs overseas continued to Swedish national Gui Minhai was directly with the Chinese authorities. report harassment and intimidation sentenced to ten years in prison. On Hong Kong, China breached from the Chinese authorities. The policy to ‘sinicise’ religion further the legally-binding Sino-British Joint Severe restrictions continued on restricted freedom of religion or belief. Declaration twice in 2020. In June, culture, language, and freedom Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, China imposed a National Security of religion or belief, movement, Falun Gong practitioners and others Law on Hong Kong, violating Hong speech, and assembly in the Tibet continued to face persecution on the Kong’s high degree of autonomy, Autonomous Region and other grounds of their religion or belief. and threatening directly the rights Tibetan areas. Access for foreign protected in the Joint Declaration. In Independent civil society continued nationals—including diplomats November, China breached the Joint to face heavy restrictions: labour and journalists—remained heavily Declaration again by imposing new rights activists remained in detention, circumscribed. New reports rules to disqualify elected legislators. and one of China’s leading LGBT+ emerged of large-scale mandatory organisations, Shanghai PRIDE, was A number of pro-democracy vocational training programmes[77]. pressured into closing in August. supporters and activists were In Inner Mongolia, the authorities Staff from anti-discrimination NGO arrested during 2020 for illegal placed further restrictions on the Changsha Funeng were tried on assembly after participating in Mongolian language in schools, charges of subversion. Civil rights 2019’s anti-extradition law protests. leading to mass protests. activists Xu Zhiyong and Ding Jiaxi Twelve candidates were barred from The Government maintained severe and others detained in the ‘12.26 participating in legislative elections, restrictions on media and internet Crackdown’ (of those participating apparently for their political views. freedoms. The authorities responded in a meeting of civil rights lawyers According to local media, 40 people to the emergence of COVID-19 in and activists in December 2019) were arrested for national security Wuhan by censoring social media were also charged with subversion. offences, including the owner of one and silencing those who raised of Hong Kong’s largest newspapers. In May, the National People’s concerns, most notably Wuhan The threat of national security Congress passed the ‘Civil Code’, ophthalmologist Dr Li Wenliang. charges was used to encourage which strengthened rights protection Citizen journalists, including Zhang self-censorship, restrict civil society in some areas, including in the law Zhan, Chen Qiushi, and Fang Bin, and curtail freedom of speech. relating to family, inheritance and were detained for their reporting: torts. In July, a court upheld the The UK took a number of actions in some remained missing by the end verdict in favour of the plaintiff in response to the National Security of the year. At least 47 journalists in China’s first successful prosecution Law: offering a new immigration China were in detention, more than for sexual harassment. path for British Nationals (Overseas); in any other country. Intimidation suspending the extradition treaty and harassment of foreign journalists The UK government continued with Hong Kong; and extending continued to grow, and over a dozen to support projects to strengthen the UK’s arms embargo on correspondents were expelled. Social human rights in China, working with mainland China to Hong Kong. media posts by the British Embassy NGOs and institutions inside and in Beijing were censored on issues outside the country. Diplomats tried In 2021, the UK will continue to deemed ‘sensitive’ by the authorities. to attend trials of HRDs and visited lead international efforts to hold Xinjiang and other ethnic minority China to account on priority issues, Lawyers working on civil rights issues areas (including Ningxia, Qinghai, including Hong Kong and Xinjiang. faced harassment and intimidation, Gansu, and Inner Mongolia). At the We will press for the UN High including through revocation of their UN, the UK raised concerns on a Commissioner for Human Rights to professional licenses. Lawyer Gao wide range of issues, most notably have unfettered access to Xinjiang. Zhisheng had been missing since Xinjiang and Hong Kong, including 2017. Lawyer Yu Wensheng was by leading a joint statement at the tried in secret and sentenced to four UN Human Rights Council in June. years’ imprisonment, followed by For the first time since 2018, the UK three years’ deprivation of political devoted its entire ‘Item 4’ statement rights, after almost three years in to one country: China. Ministers, pre-trial detention. Reports continued

[76] https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/meghara/china-new-internment-camps-xinjiang-uighurs-muslims, https://www.aspi.org.au/report/ uyghurs-sale and https://apnews.com/article/269b3de1af34e17c1941a514f78d764c [77] https://jamestown.org/program/jamestown-early-warning-brief-xinjiangs-system-of-militarized-vocational-training-comes-to-tibet and https:// www.reuters.com/article/us-china-rights-tibet-exclusive-idUSKCN26D0GT 41 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

Colombia threats; contributed to the funding fear leading to self-censorship of a study to identify patterns and were the most common threats. While significant progress had causes of attacks against HRDs; The UK continued to defend been made since the signature and supported the system set up to media freedom through supporting of Colombia’s landmark Peace establish protection mechanisms. projects to strengthen and facilitate Agreement in 2016, considerable In 2021, the UK will support a new the creation of local media outlets human rights concerns remained, joint programme, funded through in municipalities lacking them. particularly around the high number the UN Trust Fund, working across The Preventing Sexual Violence in of killings of human rights defenders the Colombian Government to Conflict Initiative (PSVI) remained (HRDs) and continued violence in establish safe spaces for social one of the UK’s top priorities. We some areas. The UN Secretary- leaders and former FARC fighters. engaged in high-level conversations General’s Special Representative, The full implementation of the to address sexual violence in Carlos Ruiz Massieu, identified Peace Agreement continued conflict, and funded a project to these concerns as the biggest to be crucial to improve the produce informative and educational threat posed to the success security situation for former FARC pieces to tackle sexual and gender- of the Peace Agreement. combatants, 248 of whom were based violence and mental health Although there was a reduction of killed from 2016 to 2020,[79] with in indigenous communities. the national homicide rate (from 25 73 of these killings taking place in Violent protests broke out in to 23.7 per 100,000 persons in 2020, 2020. The Government expressed September after a video went viral compared to 2019), killings increased its solidarity, and committed to on social media, showing Bogotá in certain areas of the country protecting them and their families, police repeatedly shocking a man throughout the year, largely where the but not enough was done to provide with a taser during an arrest; he later Peace Agreement’s crop substitution security in conflict-affected areas. died in hospital. 13 protesters died programme and the PDETs Colombia’s lengthy lockdown in the demonstrations that followed, (Territorially Focused Development because of COVID-19 allowed and over 400 people were injured, Plans) were being implemented. illegal armed groups to expand including over 100 police officers. Lockdown measures and travel and exert more control over certain There were reports of some police restrictions introduced to combat communities. As well as threats firing indiscriminately into crowds COVID-19 increased the risk to HRDs and killings, armed groups carried gathered outside police stations, a from illegal armed groups, since they out forced displacements and number of which were burned down were more easily targeted, and often vehicle incinerations as punishment during the protests. The Government killed, near their homes. Community for not abiding by their movement condemned the excessive use of and indigenous leaders were most restrictions. In addition, they blocked force by some police, suspended affected. The Office of the UN High land and waterways, and disrupted the officers involved, and launched Commissioner for Human Rights the arrival of food and medical an investigation. The UK welcomed (OHCHR) confirmed that at least 133 supplies. Although the national this investigation and affirmed HRDs had been killed in 2020[78], lockdown was lifted on 1 September, its support for Colombians’ an increase from 108 in 2019. armed groups continued their own right to protest peacefully. The Colombian Government lockdowns in some regions. In addition to its programme reiterated its commitment to Criminal groups settling scores or activities, the UK continued to raise protecting HRDs, and there vying for control of territory led to concerns about human rights both were some improvements in the the killing of at least 292 people[80] directly with the Government and situation. The Attorney General’s , with perpetrators ranging from in multilateral fora such as the UN Office increased convictions of narco-trafficking organisations to Security Council. In October, Lord perpetrators, including of those armed groups and dissidents who Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, the ordering the killings. The UK rejected the peace process. The Minister responsible for human contributed to the protection of Colombian Defence Ministry created rights, held a virtual visit to Colombia. Colombian HRDs in many ways. For a Special Unit to identify, locate He met HRDs, survivors of sexual example, we supported the special and prosecute the perpetrators. violence, journalists, and a range of unit at the Attorney General’s Office government officials including the in charge of investigating attacks Colombia fell one place in the Deputy Attorney General, Martha against HRDs; helped boost the Reporters without Borders Media Mancera, to discuss how the UK capacity of the Ombudsman’s Office Freedom Index, ranking 130 out could provide further support. In early warning system to act against of 180 countries[81]. Violence and

[78] A/HRC/46/76 available at: https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session46/Pages/ListReports.aspx [79] A/HRC/46/76 available at: https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session46/Pages/ListReports.aspx [80] A/HRC/46/76 available at: https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session46/Pages/ListReports.aspx [81] https://rsf.org/en/colombia CHAPTER 4: Human Rights Priority Countries 42

2021, we plan to build on these co-sponsored resolutions on the Bureau 7 was designated as a DPRK suggestions and seek to provide human rights situation in the DPRK Government body with responsibility targeted UK expertise and assistance adopted by the UN Human Rights for running political prison camps, where it can make the most impact. Council (HRC) and UN General estimated to hold 80,000-120,000, Assembly Third Committee, in March with involvement in the murder, and November respectively. Both torture and forced labour of those Democratic People’s resolutions recalled the DPRK’s incarcerated. The Ministry of People’s Republic of Korea responsibility to protect its population Security Correctional Bureau was from human rights violations, and designated as a DPRK Government There was no improvement in urged the DPRK to cooperate fully body with responsibility for running the human rights situation in the with the UN Special Rapporteur prison camps for ‘ordinary’ prisoners, Democratic People’s Republic of by giving him unrestricted access with involvement in the serious Korea (DPRK) in 2020. Human rights to the country. At the UN General human rights violations committed in violations remained widespread and Assembly in November, we those camps, estimated to hold over systematic, and the perpetrators reminded the DPRK that measures 70,000. Both entities are now subject unaccountable. On paper, freedom of used to contain COVID-19 should to an asset freeze and a travel ban. speech, religion or belief, the press, be proportionate, and should not In October, the Korea Future association, and demonstration were be used unnecessarily further to Initiative released a report entitled guaranteed by the North Korean restrict the freedom of citizens. ‘Persecuting Faith: Documenting Constitution. In reality, North Koreans In December, the UN Security religious freedom violations in North enjoyed none of these freedoms. The Council discussed human rights Korea’. The report assessed the DPRK remained top of Open Doors’ violations in the DPRK as a threat to status of freedom of religion or belief annual ranking of the 50 countries international peace and security. where Christians experience extreme in DPRK, and contained disturbing persecution[82], and came bottom Reports by the UN Special accounts of human rights violations in the Reporters Without Borders Rapporteur to the HRC in May, against those who have attempted World Press Freedom Index[83]. and by the OHCHR in July, added to practise their religion or belief. to the growing body of information In 2021, the UK will continue to The DPRK authorities continued to regarding human rights violations raise the human rights situation in deny allegations of human rights in places of detention. Women, the DPRK and use multilateral fora violations. They continued to refuse including those who had escaped to urge the regime to cooperate to cooperate with the UN Office of the DPRK and subsequently been fully with relevant UN human rights the High Commissioner for Human repatriated, faced gender-based mandate holders, and allow them Rights (OHCHR) or with the UN human rights violations, notably an immediate and unhindered access Special Rapporteur on the situation increased risk of sexual violence. of Human Rights in North Korea, to the country. When conditions Tomás Ojea Quintana. The regime The UK continued to use its bilateral allow, we shall seek to return our continued to refuse to act on the relationship to engage with the Embassy staff to Pyongyang, and 2014 UN Commission of Inquiry DPRK Government on its human explore new opportunities for report, which had concluded that rights record. FCDO officials used greater engagement between the the wide-ranging and continuing meetings in London with DPRK international community and the human rights violations taking place embassy officials to raise human DPRK authorities on human rights. in the DPRK may amount to “crimes rights concerns. Officials encouraged against humanity”. Restrictions incremental change where they on internal movement introduced saw opportunities. In May, the UK Democratic Republic in response to COVID-19 at the temporarily closed its Embassy in of Congo beginning of 2020, including for Pyongyang as restrictions on entry The human rights situation in members of UN agencies and NGOs, to the DPRK made it impossible to Democratic Republic of Congo severely affected the distribution of sustain its operation. Nonetheless, (DRC) deteriorated, reversing aid and support throughout the year. the UK Ambassador to the DPRK progress made in 2019. The UN The DPRK authorities also introduced Colin Crooks continued to engage Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) a wider lockdown of entry into the with DPRK officials and UN human documented 7,909 violations and country in response to the pandemic. rights actors on human rights issues. abuses, a 21% increase from 2019, The UK continued to raise and In July, the UK imposed sanctions and more than the 6,814 recorded challenge the DPRK’s human on two DPRK entities under the in the 2018 election year[84]. Human rights record in multilateral fora. We Global Human Rights sanctions rights violations and abuses included regime. The Ministry of State Security

[82] https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list [83] https://rsf.org/en/north-korea [84] https://monusco.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/unjhro_-_analysis_of_the_human_rights_situation_in_the_drc_-_2020.pdf 43 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

sexual and gender-based violence successful prosecution of two illegal detentions, and the banning (SGBV), restrictions on freedom militiamen, ensuring justice for 150 of at least 29 demonstrations by of expression, arbitrary arrests victims of sexual violence. The local authorities under the pretext and detentions, and extrajudicial UK provided funding to the PANZI of COVID-19 measures. UNJHRO killings. UNJHRO reported that Foundation, which enabled the reported numerous violations of armed groups overtook state NGO to deliver legal assistance to the right to liberty and security by agents as the main perpetrators, 24 victims of SGBV and close 146 state agents, including extrajudicial committing 55% of documented cases through conflict resolution, killings in relation to crowd control, violations and abuses[85]. arbitration and acts of conciliation. harsh punishment of non-compliance Education and health programmes with COVID-19 measures, and the Nearly 93% of documented funded by the UK supported schools suppressing of protests. The UK violations and abuses took place in responding to SGBV incidents, worked with international partners in conflict-affected provinces; and provided post-exposure to pressure the Government and armed groups continued to prophylaxis kits to survivors of to protect political space and attack civilians indiscriminately[86]. sexual violence. The UK also trained recognise individuals’ right to The UK supported efforts to build 145 teachers, social workers and protest peacefully. In October, we stability and reduce violence in points of contact in schools on child expressed our concern about the DRC through diplomatic efforts and protection and preventing SGBV. situation via Human Rights Council funding. In financial year 2020/21, resolution A/HRC/RES/45/34. we contributed £52 million in funding In October, the British Embassy in and three staff officers to the UN Kinshasa helped fund an event with Modern slavery remained a Organisation Stabilization Mission local peacebuilders and women challenging issue, particularly in in DRC (MONUSCO). We also leaders, marking 20 years of UN artisanal mining. The British Embassy ensured that protection of civilians Security Council Resolution 1325 together with the NGO Pact UK remained central to the mission’s on Women, Peace and Security. hosted a series of workshops and 2020 mandate renewal, alongside At this event we encouraged training sessions focussed on a renewed focus on stabilisation international partners to sign up tackling modern slavery in mineral and strengthening state institutions. to the UK-funded International supply chains. More broadly, the Through our £70 million UKAid Civil Society Action Network’s UK maintained pressure on the programme (2014-21), we continued Protection Framework for women Government to adhere to the to fund UNJHRO activities and to peacebuilders, and to endorse Voluntary Principles on Security contribute to the DRC Stabilisation the UK-supported Declaration and Human Rights Initiative, Coherence Fund, which supported of Humanity, denouncing the and supported programmes local-level mediation initiatives and stigmatisation of survivors of sexual bringing together civil society recovery in communities affected violence. In December, the British and the private sector to improve by violence. The programme also Ambassador to DRC, Emily Maltman, human rights compliance and worked to challenge impunity of hosted senior DRC Government Government oversight of security security actors, through mobile officials, ambassadors and provision in the mining sector. The courts, support to prosecution cells, development partners to showcase Government has since committed and sensitisation campaigns. ‘Binti’, a UK-sponsored documentary to developing a plan to become on gender-based violence. a full member of the Initiative. SGBV perpetrated by state agents and armed groups continued, with Previous gains made on civil and In 2021, the UK will continue to at least 967 adult victims. The political rights were reversed, urge the Government of DRC to UK welcomed the conviction in with increased political tension improve the human rights situation November of former militia leader accompanied by a reported by ensuring respect for political and Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka, who was reduction in democratic space and civil liberties, reforming the security sentenced to life imprisonment media freedom. Human Rights sector, and tackling impunity. The UK for crimes including mass rape, Watch reported government will also sustain its support for efforts recruitment of child soldiers and harassment of critics, journalists to build peace and stability in DRC. sexual slavery[87]. The UK funded the and protesters, suspension of NGO TRIAL International to secure broadcasting, and closure of radio greater accountability for SGBV stations[88]. The UNJHRO noted cases and build local capacity to violations concerning the exercise document, investigate and litigate of public freedoms and political effectively. TRIAL supported the rights through arbitrary arrests,

[85] https://monusco.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/unjhro_-_analysis_of_the_human_rights_situation_in_the_drc_-_2020.pdf [86] https://monusco.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/unjhro_-_analysis_of_the_human_rights_situation_in_the_drc_-_2020.pdf [87] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-55052520 [88] https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/07/22/dr-congo-authorities-foundering-rights CHAPTER 4: Human Rights Priority Countries 44

Egypt Government’s response to COVID-19 death penalty with the Egyptian were arrested, and in March the National Council for Human Rights. Areas of concern in Egypt included Cairo correspondent of The Guardian There were some improvements the erosion of space for civil newspaper was expelled after writing with regard to freedom of religion society; restrictions on freedom of that COVID-19 cases were being or belief. In January, the Prime expression, including media and underreported. Over 500 websites Minister’s then Special Envoy for digital freedom; the application of remained blocked in Egypt at the end Freedom of Religion or Belief, terrorism legislation against peaceful of the year. Egypt ranked 166 out Rehman Chishti, welcomed the critics; and a sharp rise in the number of 180 in the World Press Freedom inauguration of the Eliyahu Hanavi of executions. However, there was Index[90], and according to the Synagogue—Alexandria’s oldest— some progress on freedom of religion Committee to Protect Journalists, following a three-year restoration. In or belief, and on gender equality. it had the third highest number of 2020, the number of licenses issued journalists in prison globally[91]. As co- Restrictions on independent civil under the 2016 Church Building Law chair of the Media Freedom Coalition society tightened further. A large increased, with over 1,800 more Executive Group, the UK released a number of human rights defenders church buildings receiving licenses. statement in November expressing (HRDs) spent the year in pre- However, the continuing detention concern at the arrest and intimidation trial detention, many on terrorism of Coptic rights activist Ramy Kamel of individuals associated with the charges. In several instances, new remained a cause for concern. independent news website Darb [92]. charges were introduced, allowing There was some progress on gender the authorities to circumvent the legal The COVID-19 pandemic heightened equality, including better access limit on pre-trial detention. Several longstanding UK concerns about to girls’ education. A movement HRDs were arrested, as well as a prison conditions, including reports to hold perpetrators of sexual gender researcher working with the of overcrowding, unsanitary violence to account resulted in a Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights conditions and inadequate medical number of arrests, as well as a new (EIPR), Patrick Zaki, who remained care. In January, a dual Egyptian-US law to protect victims’ anonymity. in prison at the end of the year. In citizen died in detention following However, the subsequent arrest November, three EIPR staff members a hunger strike. In July, journalist of several witnesses undermined were detained on terrorism charges, Mohamed Mounir died days after his progress. Several young female shortly after meeting senior foreign release from prison. Later that month, TikTok influencers were also fined diplomats in Cairo. The Foreign Human Rights Watch documented and sentenced to prison terms Secretary, Dominic Raab, was the several COVID-19 cases in prisons. for ‘violating family values’. first foreign minister to raise the Such reports were difficult to verify case with the Egyptian authorities. because of restrictions on prison Egyptian lawyers reported that The three EIPR staff members were access. Activists who campaigned LGBT+ people remained subject to released three weeks later, but the for the release of prisoners during arrest on charges of ‘debauchery’ investigation remained open. In the outbreak were also arrested, or ‘inciting debauchery’, sometimes August, the founder of the Cairo including Sanaa Seif in June. following the use of social media Institute for Human Rights Studies, According to the UNHCR, over 3,000 traps by the authorities. Forced anal Bahey el-Din Hassan, was sentenced migrants and refugees were detained examinations were also reported. in absentia to 15 years in prison. during the year. The UK regularly In January, after interviewing an The UK International Human Rights raised specific cases with the LGBT+ individual, TV host Mohamed Ambassador, Rita French, issued a Egyptian authorities, and continued Al-Ghaity was sentenced to a year statement following the sentencing[89]. to follow up on the implementation in prison for contempt of religion, On 10 December, Italian prosecutors of its recommendations at the 2019 incitement of debauchery, and investigating the 2016 murder of Universal Periodic Review in Geneva. immorality. However, comments Giulio Regeni presented charges by the Education Minister Dr There was a sharp increase in the against four members of the Egyptian Tarek Shawki in November urging number of executions. Although security forces. The Egyptian society to do more to accept difficult to verify, Egyptian lawyers authorities have closed their own transgender people were welcome. documented at least 53 executions investigation into the case. in October, bringing the total number We shall continue to encourage Freedom of expression, including for the year to more than 100. In progress on human rights in Egypt media freedom, was eroded November, the UK raised its concern in 2021, with a particular focus further. Several journalists and at the widening application of the on freedom of expression, prison medical workers who criticised the conditions, and justice. Egypt’s

[89] https://twitter.com/ritaunhr/status/1304317155283021824 [90] https://rsf.org/en/taxonomy/term/156 [91] https://cpj.org/reports/2020/12/record-number-journalists-jailed-imprisoned [92] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/statement-on-media-freedom-in-egypt 45 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

newly established Supreme Eritrea continued to operate a these releases, arrests continued Committee for Human Rights and the system of universal and compulsory of worshippers of unregulated commitment to drafting a National national service, spanning both religions[93]. Our Ambassador Human Rights Strategy may offer military and civilian roles, beginning in Asmara, Alisdair Walker, new avenues for cooperation. in the last year of schooling, and continued to raise the detention of with few being exempt. For many, worshippers with the authorities. service continued to be open-ended; Eritrea was ranked 178 out of 180 in Eritrea and many Eritreans continued to the World Press Freedom Index[94], decide to avoid it by leaving the There was no improvement in with all internal media operated by country to avoid national service. the overall human rights situation the state. 16 journalists, arbitrarily The justification for such service in Eritrea, apart from the release detained without fair trial during remained the frozen conflict with of a number of Christian and the 2000s, remained incarcerated. Ethiopia, despite the July 2018 Muslim believers. Arbitrary In April, Eritrea’s limited internet peace agreement. During 2020 detention, violations of freedom availability was further reduced there was little sign of reform. of expression and of freedom of when internet cafes were closed religion or belief, and the indefinite From November, there was a because of COVID-19. No attempt nature of the national service growing weight of credible evidence was made to block access to foreign system continued to be our main of the involvement of Eritrean satellite broadcasters, allowing concerns. In some regards, forces in hostilities throughout the broadcasts by opposition groups the situation deteriorated. From Tigray region of Ethiopia, including to be viewed within Eritrea. November there were persistent allegations of refoulement from The Eritrean authorities introduced and credible reports, including refugee camps in northern Tigray restrictive measures to combat the by the independent Ethiopian to Eritrea. We raised our concerns COVID-19 pandemic. There were Human Rights Commission, that with Ministers in both governments, reports[95] in August that border Eritrean troops were involved in making clear the overriding need closures and the confiscation of the fighting in the Tigray region to protect civilians and adhere to fishing boats were leading to food of neighbouring Ethiopia, with international law and international shortages in the coastal Danakali allegations of possible violations human rights law. We also called region, particularly affecting the Afar of international law, including for independent, international community. Both our Ambassador in international human rights law. investigations of alleged atrocities. Asmara and the now FCDO Minister Following the February 2019 There continued to be consistent for Africa, James Duddridge, raised Universal Periodic Review, the reports that high profile political our concerns with the Government, UK welcomed Eritrea’s continued figures remained in detention, with which acknowledged the restrictions engagement in the process, including no access to justice. Some were but denied that the measures were its continued development in 2020 of detained for 20 years following aimed at any particular community. a four-year ‘framework for action’. In criticism of the Government of The Minister for Africa acknowledged October, at the Interactive Dialogue Eritrea. The Government did not the importance of taking measures with the UN Special Rapporteur allow access to places of detention to tackle COVID-19, but said that for the Human Rights Situation of political figures, and shared measures should be proportionate. in Eritrea, Ms Daniela Kravetz, no information on detainees. Eritrea has continued to make the UK offered support with the Eritrea had no constitutional progress against some of the implementation of the framework, government or national elections. Sustainable Development Goals. The and urged Eritrea to release those Activity by adherents of religions Government addressed maternal still subject to arbitrary detention, and other than those permitted by the health and sexual reproductive to advance national service reform. Government of Eritrea (Orthodox health in support of women and The UK continued to support the Christianity, Catholicism, Lutheran girls, with the focus on ensuring mandate of the Special Rapporteur Christianity, and Sunni Islam), access to maternal and neonatal and welcomed the appointment of continued to be suppressed and health services, building capacity to Dr Mohamed Babiker to the role at many remained in detention. create demand for, and to ensure the the end of the year. We remained However, the Government released availability of, modern contraceptives, disappointed with the Government’s 22 Methodist, 98 Muslim, and and raising awareness in the continued refusal to cooperate with 27 Pentecostal worshippers, and community to eliminate all forms the Special Rapporteur or to allow 28 Jehovah’s Witnesses. Some of harmful traditional practices. any rapporteur to visit Eritrea. had been in detention, without Eritrea’s vaccination programme was trial, for over 20 years. Despite uninterrupted, with the Ministry of

[93] https://www.csw.org.uk/2020/07/09/press/4726/article.htm [94] https://rsf.org/en/ranking [95] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021/country-chapters/eritrea CHAPTER 4: Human Rights Priority Countries 46

Health providing nearly 1.5 million In response to COVID-19, Iran least two individuals were flogged shot/drops, exceeding 2019 by granted thousands of prisoners in 2020 for drinking communion nearly 175,000 vaccinations. furlough or pardons to help ease wine[98], and four others were given overcrowding. Some political a total of 35 years in prison for In 2021, we shall continue to raise detainees with sentences of fewer forming a house-church, despite freedom of expression, freedom of than five years were released early. Iran’s international obligation religion or belief, the use of arbitrary However, many others were denied under the ICCPR to recognise an detention and national service reform furlough, or were brought back to individual’s freedom to choose with the Government. We shall prison early when the pandemic and practise their religion. At the call for the withdrawal of Eritrean was still rife, and conditions within UN Human Rights Council on 25 troops from the Tigray region of prisons remained extremely poor. September, the UK co-signed a Ethiopia until it takes place. We joint statement with 46 other states shall also call for an independent There were restrictions on freedom which set out our deep concern international investigation into of expression and assembly. about such persistent human rights alleged human rights violations The authorities initiated localised violations in Iran, and called for and abuses committed by all shutdowns of the internet— perpetrators to be held accountable. sides during the Tigray conflict. particularly in January and July[96]—and arrested participants Three high-profile honour killings in demonstrations. Foreign-based against women and girls occurred Iran media continued to receive threats between May and June, which drew Iran continued to violate human to their staff, particularly women, significant global attention to this rights. Protests were suppressed, and to their relatives in Iran. One previously underreported issue. mass arrests occurred and many newspaper, Jahane Sanat, was In response, Iran passed a child detainees faced limited access permanently shut down in August protection law on 7 June that had to justice and little due process, after critically reporting on Iran’s stalled for more than a decade. particularly dual nationals. The response to COVID-19. At least Despite this welcome change, use of the death penalty was 19 journalists, writers and social at least one expert—lawyer and widespread, and trials were marred media users were arrested, with child rights activist Monica Nadi— by irregularities. Violations of the a sudden increase in detentions suggested that the law did not rights to freedom of expression, during November and December. offer comprehensive and complete [99] and to freedom of religion or belief, Several major social media websites, protection for children . Meanwhile, continued and women remained including Facebook, Twitter and women in Iran continued to be unable to participate fully in society. YouTube, remained banned. denied the same rights and privileges as men, and faced unequal rights in The Iranian authorities continued It remained difficult to monitor marriage, divorce and child custody. to violate the right to freedom accurately how many executions Women human rights defenders of religion or belief. Members were carried out in Iran, as not all and activists were given severe jail of religious minorities faced were made public. Credible estimates terms. Saba Kordafshari’s sentence restrictions for peacefully practising suggested that at least 233 people was increased to 24 years in prison, their beliefs. Baha’is were denied were executed, meaning Iran for her role in the anti-mandatory access to mainstream education ranked as one of the most prolific hijab campaign, while Nasrin and national identification cards, users of the death penalty globally. Sotoudeh was ordered to return to while the number of mass arrests This figure included one person Qarchak prison, despite concerns and home raids increased. In executed for drinking alcohol, and about her deteriorating health. five known juvenile offenders who November, the parliament passed were under 18 years of age at the amendments to the Penal Code, Iran continued to deny consular time of their reported crimes. These covering anyone who ‘insulted’ access to dual British nationals in executions violated Iran’s obligations legally recognised religions. Several detention. The Foreign Secretary, under the International Covenant on NGOs feared that, if approved, this Dominic Raab, repeatedly raised Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), could mean further targeting of with the Iranian Foreign Minister, [97] while the latter also violated Iran’s those following their religion . Mohammad Javad Zarif, the cases of a number of British-Iranians obligations under the Convention While Christians notionally benefitted detainees. On 22 September, on the Rights of the Child. The UK from constitutional recognition and the FCDO summoned the Iranian repeatedly stated its opposition to protection, they continued to be Ambassador, Hamid Baeidinejad, Iran’s use of the death penalty. persecuted, especially converts. At and presented a letter from the

[96] https://www.article19.org/resources/irans-internet-disruptions and https://freedomhouse.org/country/iran/freedom-net/2020 [97] https://en.radiofarda.com/a/31000631.html [98] https://articleeighteen.com/news/7326 [99] https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-passes-child-protection-law-gruesome-killing-teenager-father/30660956.html 47 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

British, French and German At the start of the year, popular closely with the UN, to seek safe Foreign Ministers, expressing protests in Baghdad and southern and sustainable solutions for IDPs. their concern about the human Iraq, calling for reforms and the Between 2014 and 2020, the rights situation and the arbitrary resignation of the Government, were UK committed £272 million in detention of dual nationals. harshly suppressed by elements humanitarian support and £110 of the Iraqi Security Forces and In 2021, we shall keep raising our million in stabilisation funding, militia groups. Smaller, localised dual national detainee cases with including £28 million to the UN’s protests continued throughout 2020, Iran and take all appropriate action Funding Facility for Stabilisation resulting in casualties and loss of to secure their release. We shall to help rebuild communities in life. The Iraqi High Commission continue to hold Iran to account on liberated areas. Humanitarian for Human Rights and Amnesty a wide range of human rights issues, support provided in 2020 focused International estimated that at least by using our membership of the UN on ensuring that Iraq could 600 protesters and members of the Human Rights Council and elsewhere manage the COVID-19 pandemic security forces had been killed over at the UN, through frequent contact while continuing to meet the the course of the protests, with more with the Iranian Government, and by needs of the most vulnerable. than 18,000 injured. Prime Minister working with our European partners. Mustafa al-Kadhimi committed to The societal effects of Daesh compensating the families of the atrocities, in particular the stigma Iraq victims, and promised investigations experienced by survivors and into the violence. But by the end of children born of sexual violence, and In the face of numerous challenges, the year there had been no credible those with perceived Daesh affiliation, including an economic crisis and prosecutions. In discussions with remained unresolved. There was the COVID-19 pandemic, the human the Iraqi Prime Minister, Foreign some progress on legislation to rights situation in Iraq did not Minister and Chief Justice, and in provide rehabilitation services and improve. There was no meaningful the United Nations Security Council, reparations for survivors of Daesh. accountability for large-scale loss the UK repeatedly condemned The UK provided a further £1 million of life and casualties of peaceful the excessive use of force by the for the UN Investigative Team protesters during demonstrations in security forces, and called for those for the Accountability of Daesh early 2020. COVID-19 exacerbated responsible to be held to account. (UNITAD) in 2020. We supported long-standing socio-economic investigations into violence against inequality and gender disparities. The space for independent journalism remained limited. In minority communities, and the Civil society space and freedom the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, development of Shuhud, a digital of expression continued to be media outlets were closed without platform allowing witnesses and constricted. Civil society, and a legitimate legal basis, and survivors to submit information political and human rights activists, journalists faced harassment and remotely, securely and confidentially faced threats and violence. In June, intimidation by government forces. in relation to Daesh crimes. journalist and security expert Dr Although Iraq’s Constitution requires Hisham Al-Hashemi was fatally Towards the end of 2020, the 25% of MPs to be female, women shot in front of his house, following Government of Iraq accelerated its continued to be marginalised in months of repeated threats from plans to close all camps for Internally political participation. Iraq’s cabinet armed groups. Female human Displaced Persons (IDPs), raising had only one female Minister: rights activists were a particular serious concerns about whether the Minister for Construction and target, following their increased returns were safe and voluntary. Housing, Nazineen Mohammed involvement in the protest After mid-October, 16 IDP camps Wassaw Sheikh Mohammad. In movement. In October, UN Human and informal sites in Federal Iraq the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), Rights experts issued a statement were closed or reclassified, affecting the Parliamentary Speaker, Dr calling for Iraq to investigate the 34,675 people. Reporting from Rewas Fayaq, was female and there killing and attempted killing of two the International Organization for were three female Ministers in the female human rights defenders[100]. Migration indicated that a significant Kurdistan Regional Government. Iraqi human rights organisations number of IDPs in camps were The UK and partners lobbied for recorded at least 44 kidnappings, unable to return to their areas of greater political representation by 74 attempted assassinations, and origin because of a lack of adequate women. ‘Honour’ killings against documented at least 39 killings of shelter or livelihood opportunities, women, girls and LGBT+ people activists following the outbreak of and faced significant barriers to continued. Domestic violence mass anti-government protests in returning, without access to the remained a major danger facing late 2019. Many activists were forced right documentation or security women and girls in Iraq. Since the to flee Iraq for their own safety. clearances. The UK continued to lobby the Government, and worked onset of COVID-19, Iraqi Community

[100] https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=26339&LangID=E CHAPTER 4: Human Rights Priority Countries 48

Police reported a 20% increase groups in Gaza continued. According According to OCHA, the number in incidents of domestic violence. to the Coordinator of Government of acts of violence and vandalism There was no progress on passing Activities in the Territories (COGAT), perpetrated by settlers against a draft bill to criminalise domestic a unit within the Israeli Ministry of Palestinians increased for the fourth violence in Federal Iraq, which had Defence, 277 rockets and other year running. ISA recorded 1,248 stalled in parliament since 2014. projectiles were launched into violent attacks by Palestinians in Israeli territory in 2020. In total, the West Bank. In May, the killing Through the COVID-19 Enabling three Israeli civilians were injured. by Israeli Border Police of unarmed, Fund, the UK supported projects to According to the UN Office for the disabled Palestinian Iyad Hallaq in raise awareness of gender-based Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Jerusalem’s Old City drew wide violence and provide health services (OCHA), five Palestinian civilians condemnation. Israeli prosecutors for female IDPs in the South of Iraq. were killed, including four by live notified the police officer involved of The Conflict, Stability and Security ammunition fired by Israeli forces. their intention to indict on charges Fund (CSSF) supported radio-based of ‘reckless homicide’. The UK and community outreach initiatives The overall humanitarian crisis continued to call for investigations to raise awareness of domestic in Gaza was exacerbated by into, and accountability for, violence in local communities. COVID-19. The main civilian excessive use of force in the OPTs. crossing into Israel was largely The UK continued to be the largest closed for all but humanitarian The number of Palestinian minors donor to the UN’s Iraq Humanitarian cases. The UK continued to fund in Israeli detention decreased, Fund. Between 2014 and 2020, the projects to help address Israeli with 131 detained at the end of Fund assisted 7.5 million women restrictions on movement and December 2020. The UK continued and 8.7 million girls. In 2020/21, access to and from Gaza. to seek improvements in their the UK provided £2 million to the treatment, including access to UNDP COVID-19 response in Iraq. Israel continued its systematic policy legal representation, notification of illegal settlement expansion in Widespread use of the death penalty of their legal rights, and an end the OPTs, a breach of international against Daesh suspects continued, to physical violence. According humanitarian law which the UK with reports of ill-treatment and to the UN Secretary-General, continued to oppose. Israel torture during arrest and pre-trial António Guterres, most Palestinian advanced over 9,000 housing detention. The UK continued to prisoners continued to be held in units in the West Bank (OPTs). lobby against the death penalty, for Israel, despite international law Several plans were taken forward better conditions in prisons, and providing that protected persons in sensitive areas in and around for due process and transparency be detained in the OPTs Jerusalem, including ‘E1’ and Givat in investigations and trials. HaMatos, which threatened the In the West Bank (OPTs), monitoring In 2021, the UK will continue to viability of a two-state solution. groups reported allegations of speak out against human rights ill-treatment and torture by PA Israel demolished Palestinian violations and abuses, and support Security Forces. The PA also structures at an increasing rate, the Government of Iraq to safeguard continued to restrict space for civil leaving those displaced more the human rights of all Iraqis. society and freedom of expression. vulnerable to COVID-19. According The UK continued to urge the PA to OCHA, 854 structures were leadership to respect human rights, demolished[101] or seized across the The State of Israel properly investigate complaints West Bank and 1,001 Palestinians and the Occupied of ill-treatment, and improve the were displaced as a result, the security sector’s compliance with Palestinian Territories highest figures since 2016. OCHA international human rights standards. estimated an additional 970 The Government of Israel continued We also called for the establishment Palestinians were at risk of eviction to violate human rights and of a National Preventive from their homes in East Jerusalem. international humanitarian law in Mechanism Against Torture. the context of Israel’s occupation The UK continued to make clear of the West Bank, including East its opposition to demolitions and In Gaza, Hamas continued to Jerusalem, and Gaza (Occupied evictions, and to fund legal aid for exercise strict control over civil Palestinian Territories, or OPTs). Palestinians contesting related cases. society and to carry out arbitrary summons and arrests of journalists The Palestinian Authority (PA) and OCHA reported that 24 Palestinians and political activists. In October, Hamas, the de facto administration had been killed by Israeli forces in a Gaza Military Court convicted in Gaza, continued to commit the West Bank. The Israeli Security peace activist Rami Aman and human rights abuses. Agency (ISA) reported that two two colleagues of ‘weakening Israeli civilians and one Israeli soldier Protests and escalations of violence the revolutionary spirit’ in relation between Israel and Palestinian armed had been killed by Palestinians.

[101] https://www.ochaopt.org/sites/default/files/demolition_monthly_report_december_2020.pdf 49 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

to their participation in a Zoom oppose actions that constitute the 7th/9th Brigade (also known call with Israeli youth in April. violations and abuses of international as the al-Kaniyat militia)[104]. human rights law and international Hamas issued 17 death sentences The UK consistently emphasised humanitarian law by the Government in 2020. While the UK maintained the need for all parties to respect of Israel, the Palestinian Authority a no-contact policy with Hamas, international humanitarian law, and Hamas, and to support the we continued to make clear condemned human rights violations work of civil society actors, including our objections to its use of the and abuses, and raised the through our programmes. death penalty, for example in importance of accountability. In parliament. Its military wing June, the UK co-sponsored the UN remains proscribed organisation. Libya Human Rights Council resolution establishing a Fact-Finding Mission Despite continued verbal From January to June, the human to investigate violations and commitments from the PA, there rights situation in Libya deteriorated abuses in Libya—a much-needed was limited progress on women’s further because of an escalation step towards accountability[105]. rights. COVID-19 lockdowns led in the armed conflict, as the In September, at the UN Security to sharp increases in reports of Government of National Accord Council, the UK ensured that action domestic violence. 14 women were (GNA) reversed the gains made by to counter sexual and gender- killed as a result of gender-based the Libyan National Army (LNA). The based violence was included in violence. The Family Protection situation stabilised from June, along UNSMIL’s mandate renewal. In Bill, which would increase the a new front line in the Sirte area. particular, the UNSC agreed to new protection of women’s rights in law, Reported human rights violations obligations that UNSMIL, “monitor was not ratified. However, the PA and abuses continued throughout and report... [on] sexual violence did continue to improve diversity in the year, often linked to the conflict. in conflict, notably through the public institutions, such as opening These included indiscriminate attacks effective deployment of women a new UK-funded female training on, and unlawful killings of, civilians and child protection advisers”[106]. facility at the Palestinian Security and refugees, discrimination against Forces Central Training Institute in The security and justice sector women and girls, and restrictions Jericho, providing accommodation remained dysfunctional. Human on freedom of expression, and and training for female officers. rights violations included arbitrary freedom of religion or belief. The UK detention without charge or legal Israel remained an open democracy, continued to support the UN-led representation, forced labour, underpinned by robust institutions efforts to secure a sustainable peace. and ill-treatment in overcrowded and a vibrant civil society. However, Both sides of the armed conflict cells[107]. At an operational level, the space for those criticising Israel’s committed acts that violated the UK continued with a five-year conduct in the OPTs continued to international humanitarian law. In project (2018-22) to develop a come under strain. In February, the first half of the year, the United human rights-compliant detention Israel suspended its ties with the UN Nations Support Mission in Libya pathway from arrest to imprisonment, Office of the High Commissioner for (UNSMIL) reported 489 civilian working closely with the Libyan Human Rights (OHCHR), following casualties[102]. Ground fighting, Government and NGO partners. a disagreement over the release of explosive remnants of war and Libyan law continued to provide for a database highlighting companies airstrikes were the leading cause of the death penalty, but no executions working in Israeli settlements. In these casualties, as a result of both were carried out during 2020. June, Israel refused to renew visas GNA and LNA operations. Medical to employees of the OHCHR, raising Libya remained a transit and facilities and schools were also struck concerns over the organisation’s destination country for migrants by explosive ordnance[103]. mass ability to monitor human rights issues. and refugees. As of October, IOM graves were discovered in Tarhouna reported a total of 574,146 migrants in In 2021, the UK will continue to and southern Tripoli in June, with Libya[108]. According to the UN, many engage with the Palestinian Authority many more discovered thereafter, migrants and refugees continued and Government of Israel on human reportedly linked to abductions to be held in unofficial facilities in rights issues in the context of the and killings allegedly committed by degrading living conditions. As of occupation. We shall continue to 19 January 2021, UNHCR reported

[102] https://unsmil.unmissions.org/civilian-casualties-report-1-january-31-march-2020-1; https://unsmil.unmissions.org/civilian-casualties-report-1- april-30-june-2020 [103] https://unsmil.unmissions.org/civilian-casualties-report-1-april-30-june-2020 [104] https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/seeking-a-ceasefire-in-libya [105] https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/FFM_Libya/Pages/Index.aspx [106] https://unsmil.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/s_res_25422020_e.pdf [107] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021/country-chapters/libya [108] https://migration.iom.int/reports/libya-%E2%80%94-migrant-report-33-september-october-2020 CHAPTER 4: Human Rights Priority Countries 50

928 migrants, asylum seekers or UK-funded programmes trained including respect for freedom of refugees in official detention centres, women peacebuilders, supported expression and tolerance of diversity. compared with approximately 4,200 female entrepreneurs, and provided Through diplomatic engagement in 2019. Human rights organisations protection for vulnerable women and and programmes in 2021, the UK continued to document evidence girls, including through psychosocial will continue to support Libyan civil of the widespread use of violence support. HRH The Countess of society, including women, youth and by militias against refugees and Wessex’s virtual visit to Libya in vulnerable groups, and to promote migrants, including torture, physical October highlighted the valuable human rights and greater protection violence, sexual violence, forced contribution which women made to of civic space for activists and human labour, deprivation of food and water peace and security in Libya, despite rights defenders. We shall also and the murder of detainees. For the many challenges they faced. work to boost Libyan capacity to example, in May, 26 Bangladeshi The UK worked with UNSMIL and counter serious organised crime and nationals and four individuals from UN Women to ensure that women organised immigration crime. The sub-Saharan Africa were massacred played a role in the Libyan Political UK will continue to urge the Libyan in Mizdah while the town was under Dialogue Forum (LPDF) negotiations. Government to cooperate with the control of an armed group The LPDF subsequently agreed the ICC Prosecutor in its ongoing affiliated to the LNA. The fate of 120 that at least 30% of senior positions investigations in Libya, address the to 150 migrant detainees remained in the interim unified executive persistent climate of impunity in unknown. The UK called on the authority must be held by women. Libya, and to prioritise protecting GNA, which controlled Mizdah, Widespread restrictions on the human rights for all its citizens. to stop the arbitrary detention of rights to freedom of expression, migrants and asylum seekers within association, assembly, and religion Libya, and to investigate the killings or belief, and restrictions on media Mali of detainees in Mizdah. UK-funded freedom continued. Indiscriminate humanitarian assistance provided The human rights situation in attacks and the silencing of psychosocial support and access Mali deteriorated, with increasing journalists, activists and human rights to healthcare, other basic services allegations of violations committed defenders continued to take place. and legal assistance for migrants, by Malian defence and security The UK condemned the deplorable refugees and asylum-seekers. forces, and continued attacks against killing of lawyer Hanan Al-Barassi civilians, as extremist violence and The continuing conflict, and absence on 10 November in Benghazi, inter-community conflict escalated. of security, rule of law and basic and called for a full, immediate Steps to advance the rights of services, had a disproportionate and transparent investigation in women were limited, and children impact on women and girls, further cooperation with the UN Fact continued to be disproportionately exacerbated by COVID-19. Women Finding Mission in Libya. UK-funded affected by the continuing conflict. remained under-represented in programmes supported civil society all governance institutions and and the promotion of impartial and In August, a coup d’état led to the processes, making up fewer accurate online media content, detention of several political and than 20% of politicians in Libya. military figures, including the former

UK troops out on patrol, supporting the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Mali to better understand and respond to threats. 51 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

Lt Gen Gyllensporre, MINUSMA Force Commander, welcomes UK troops as part of the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Mali, December 2020. The UK deployed 300 troops who will be supporting UN efforts to protect civilians and build sustainable peace in Mali.

President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, As the tempo of counter-terrorism 139 out of 153 countries in the 2020 and Prime Minister, Boubou Cissé. operations increased, so too did Global Gender Gap Index[109]. Women During pre-coup demonstrations in the number of alleged violations and girls continued to be subject to July, security forces were reported committed by state security and discriminatory social views, practices to have killed 14 protesters, including defence forces. In its report on and intimidation, restricting their two children. After a transitional the human rights situation in rights to health, and education, and Government was established, the UK Mali, covering July to September their ability to participate in society. worked with international partners 2020, MINUSMA documented In a number of regions across Mali, to coordinate messaging around the an increase of over 40% in the the UK supported access to high- need to deliver credible elections number of violations committed by quality family planning services, and within the agreed timeframe, and Malian defence and security forces worked to ensure that marginalised to address underlying grievances, compared with the previous three- women, men and adolescents had including impunity for human month period. While MINUSMA’s access to knowledge and community rights violations and abuses. October to December 2020 report support to make informed sexual showed a significant decrease and reproductive health decisions. Violent extremist organisations in the number of violations, continued to extend their influence While some steps were taken to investigations into allegations and in Mali, particularly where state increase women’s inclusion in judicial processes remained limited. presence was limited, and to carry the country’s decision-making The UK condemned the reported out attacks deliberately targeting processes, these were limited. violations at the UN Security Council, civilians. In October, for example, Following the establishment of the raised our concerns in-country, militants not aligned to established transitional Government, women and called for renewed efforts by groups besieged Farabougou village representatives from each of the the authorities to tackle impunity. In in central Mali, killing civilians and signatory parties participated for the December, we handed over the UK- leaving up to 4,000 inhabitants first time in the monitoring committee designed curriculum and guidance isolated with limited access to food. for Mali’s Peace Agreement. on international humanitarian law The UK increased its contribution to However, participation of women in training, delivered via the EU Training the protection of civilians in Mali. In the Government remained below Mission in Mali, to Swedish trainers. December, we deployed 300 troops the minimum 30% quota required Between May 2019 and December to the UN Multidimensional Integrated by law. At the end of the year, efforts 2020, UK trainers delivered Stabilisation Mission in Mali to approve a draft law prohibiting human security training to 1,408 (MINUSMA), and the UK was one gender-based violence and Malian armed forces personnel. of the largest humanitarian donors strengthening gender equality were to Mali, providing over £14 million to Limited progress was made to proposed for the second time, but the most vulnerable during 2020. improve women’s rights. Mali ranked the law had yet to be approved by

[109] https://reports.weforum.org/global-gender-gap-report-2020/the-global-gender-gap-index-2020/results-and-analysis CHAPTER 4: Human Rights Priority Countries 52

the end of the year. The UK lobbied areas included Chin, Kachin, Rakhine of civilians could not be guaranteed. the Government on the protection and Shan states. There remained Little progress was made on of women’s rights and the need for no credible domestic accountability addressing the causes of instability increased inclusivity, including in the process. The Rohingya and other in Rakhine. The UK urged Myanmar UN, where we pushed for strong minorities faced further discrimination to implement the Rakhine Advisory benchmarks on the participation as they were excluded from Commission recommendations in of women in the decision-making Myanmar’s elections in November, full. We agreed with the UN Refugee structures of the Mali peace process mostly on citizenship grounds. Many Agency (UNHCR) that conditions and in broader political life. more voters were disfranchised as a throughout Rakhine, and especially result of cancelled polling in areas of in the north, were not conducive to The UN reported that, from 2017 conflict, including Rakhine. The UK returns of the 860,000 Rohingya to 2020, there was an almost two- called for elections to take place in refugees from Bangladesh[111]. fold increase in the recruitment cancelled areas as soon as feasible. and use of children by violent Restrictions continued on access Women’s representation in parliament extremist and other armed groups, to internet services across several increased, but remained low at 18%. including signatories to the Peace townships in Rakhine and Chin states Agreement, when compared with Around 600,000 Rohingya remained (imposed in June 2019). The UK 2014-17[110]. Children’s access to in Rakhine, 126,000 of whom had convened the UN Security Council education was severely limited by been confined to camps since 2012. in May to discuss the situation in conflict and COVID-19, attacks All Rohingya faced severe freedom Rakhine and Chin, and called for by violent extremist organisations of movement restrictions which an end to these restrictions. against educational facilities and negatively affected their livelihoods The UK continued to push for personnel, internal displacement and access to services. Previously accountability, urging Myanmar of populations, and discriminatory existing inequalities were exacerbated to engage with the International and harmful social norms regarding by the COVID-19 pandemic. Access Court of Justice (ICJ) case brought girls and marginalised children, to camps for essential humanitarian by The Gambia against Myanmar, such as those with disabilities. In relief, which had always been difficult, and to comply with the Provisional August 2019, the UK committed deteriorated rapidly, resulting in Measures Order. In July, the up to £30 million of new funding for the loss of education, protection, UK included the Tatmadaw’s education in crises in the Sahel and and some nutrition services. The Commander-in-Chief, Min Aung neighbouring countries. Of the funds quality and quantity of health, Hlaing, and his Deputy, Soe Win, in disbursed by the end of 2020 (£15 water and sanitation services also its first tranche of sanctions under million), over £5 million was allocated deteriorated. Between 2017 and the Global Human Rights sanctions to support crisis-affected children the end of 2020, the UK provided regime. In response to the continuing (50% girls) in Mali to continue their over £44 million to all communities risk of further atrocities in Myanmar, education in 2020 and into 2021. in Rakhine, including £25 million for particularly in Rakhine, the UK the Rohingya to support access In 2021, the UK will ensure refined its approach to identity- to services. This included water, our collective efforts, whether based violence in Myanmar. This sanitation and hygiene facilities, as diplomatic, military, humanitarian new approach includes an enhanced well as food aid, health, education or development, support better framework for assessing risk, as and skills development. protection of civilians, enhance well as a clear escalation pathway civil-military coordination, and help At the start of the year, conflict in response to emerging issues. promote and protect human rights. between the Tatmadaw and the Children continued to suffer from We shall continue to push the Malian Arakan Army (AA) escalated, and the effects of the conflict, with an transitional Government to progress Rohingya civilians, as well as ethnic estimated 500,000 children living in investigations and carry out trials for Rakhine people, continued to bear conflict or emergency settings. Data human rights violations and abuses. the brunt. Around 120,000 ethnic showed an overall increase in the rate Rakhine were displaced over the of children being killed or maimed year. Some areas were deliberately in the conflict, with 161 reported Myanmar (Burma) cut off from food supplies in a bid cases in 2020. There was also an to stop the AA’s supply routes. The human rights situation in increase in attacks on, and military Myanmar remained poor in 2020. Fighting decreased in Rakhine use of, schools during this period. Human rights violations and abuses towards the end of the year. While For example, a school was shelled in were committed by both the dialogue between the AA and February, and children were allegedly Tatmadaw (Myanmar’s armed forces) Tatmadaw was encouraging, the lack used as human shields in October. and ethnic armed organisations of a comprehensive ceasefire left a Altogether, there were 432 grave across the country. Heavily affected fragile situation in which protection violations against children in 2020.

[110] https://reliefweb.int/report/mali/report-secretary-general-children-and-armed-conflict-mali-s20201105 [111] Please see the Bangladesh section for details of the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh and the UK’s aid response. 53 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

Boat Parade, Yangon Pride Festival, Myanmar – February 2020, photo credit &Proud.

The UK worked to promote the safe deserved equality and did not think Generation demonstrated that the schools declaration in Myanmar. it should be illegal to be an LGBT+ military continued to target and person. Approximately 15,000 people imprison those who criticised them. The use of sexual violence by conflict attended Yangon Pride events, which At the end of March, the Government actors remained a serious problem. the UK supported. This represented of Myanmar issued instructions that In a positive development, in a doubling of numbers compared blocked 230 websites, including December, three Tatmadaw soldiers with the previous two years. some local ethnic media outlets were sentenced by a military tribunal which had been critical of the to 20 years in prison for the rape The rights of people with disabilities Government. The UK raised these of a Rakhine woman. Despite this, in Myanmar remained limited. There issues with the Government. military justice remained opaque. remained derogatory terminology in There remained no protective laws legislation and policy documents, Little progress was made on modern against domestic violence, the and many people with disabilities slavery. As Myanmar continued to most common form of sexual and continued not to feel fully consulted be the major supplier of migrant gender-based violence (SGBV). or involved in the authorities’ labour in south-east Asia, its citizens, The UK supported over 114,000 decision-making processes. The especially those affected by conflict, women and girls with protection and UK continued to promote the rights were vulnerable to trafficking, SGBV-specific services in camps of people with disabilities through including for forced marriage in for internally displaced people. programming, for example through China. The UK provided leadership directly supporting disabled persons’ to address this issue through the LGBT+ people continued to be organisations in peacebuilding multi-donor Livelihoods and Food criminalised under Myanmar’s legal programming and providing funding Security Fund, working to promote system, and discrimination remained for more disability-inclusive elections. safe and gainful migration in the deeply ingrained in many parts of region, and to reduce the vulnerability the country. New research from a Censorship remained an issue, of women and children to exploitation nationwide survey commissioned by as both the military and civilian and trafficking for sexual purposes. Yangon-based NGOs &PROUD and government exploited outdated laws Colours Rainbow, however, showed to restrict freedom of expression. In 2021, the UK will continue to that an overwhelming majority of The high profile cases of Maung support the ICJ process, work people agreed that LGBT+ people Saungkha and the Peacock towards a sustainable resolution CHAPTER 4: Human Rights Priority Countries 54

to the situation in Rakhine, of the media between January Government’s continuing attempts and promote civil liberties and and October in retaliation for their to restrain political participation. inclusivity across Myanmar[112]. criticism of the Government. The UK and international partners continued to pressure In April, the Centre for Justice and the Nicaraguan Government to International Law condemned the Nicaragua enact electoral reforms in line with increasing repression of former previous Organization of American The human rights situation in political prisoners and their families, States (OAS) recommendations. Nicaragua had been declining human rights defenders and However, the Government took since April 2018, when the National journalists. Despite government steps to exclude further political Police and pro-government gangs assurances that it would release actors from taking part in the violently put an end to civilian all political prisoners arrested political process. Opposition protests, leaving over 300 dead, following the protests in 2018, as groups, including the Civic Alliance close to 2,000 injured, and hundreds of 15 October[118] more than 100 for Justice and Democracy and unlawfully detained[113], with some remained in custody, and there were the Blue and White National Unity, people subjected to torture and other numerous reports of prisoners being reported increasing instances of ill-treatment. In 2020, Nicaragua subject to torture and ill-treatment surveillance and harassment. continued to use arbitrary detention, while in prison[119]. According to civil and placed restrictions on freedom society organisations, between The Nicaraguan authorities sought of expression and assembly, media 17 and 19 April, there were 65 to silence opposition voices and freedom and other political rights. reported incidents, including physical hinder political participation in the The Nicaraguan Government assaults and threats against people run-up to the 2021 presidential [120] pursued systematic intimidation and viewed as government critics . elections. On 21 December, persecution of independent media, In September, the International legislators passed a law banning despite the freedom of the press Federation for Human Rights opposition candidates from running being enshrined in Nicaragua’s issued a statement, signed by in the presidential elections. The law Constitution. The executive engaged 50 Nicaraguan and international entitled ‘Defence of the Rights of the in a smear campaign against organisations, denouncing repression People to Independence, Sovereignty [121] independent journalists, with Vice by the National Police . and Self-determination for Peace’ gave the Government the power to President Rosario Murillo referring to On 27 October, the National designate citizens as “traitors to the the media as “dark forces”[114]. After Assembly approved the Special homeland” or “coup-mongers” and 2018, Nicaragua dropped 24 places Law on Cybercrime[122] that further to ban them from running for public to rank 117 out of 179 countries censored digital media. Individuals office. According to the OAS, the law in the Reporters Without Borders’ accused of “promoting or distributing restricted political rights and limited 2020 World Press Freedom Index[115]. false or misleading information electoral competition, transforming Since the 2018 political crisis, the that causes alarm, terror, or “the 2021 elections into an imposition National Police and pro-government unease in the public” could incur rather than an election”[123]. gangs had intimidated journalists jail sentences of up to five years. and their families, with reports of The ambiguous parameters of the The UK condemned the Nicaraguan harassment, physical assaults, death law put journalists and ordinary Government’s attempts to side- threats, home raids, equipment citizens who expressed critical line political opposition through its seizures and office closures[116]. views online at risk of prosecution. restrictions on political participation. According to the Violeta B Chamorro We were concerned by a Freedom House rated Nicaragua Foundation, a Nicaraguan civil constitutional reform establishing as “not free” in their Freedom in the society organisation[117], there life sentences for “hate crimes”, World 2020 index because of the were 185 attacks on members which could be used to target

[112] Following the coup on 2 February 2021, the UK is at the forefront of the international response, calling for a restoration of democracy, an end to military violence, release of those arbitrarily detained and humanitarian access. [113] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021/country-chapters/nicaragua [114] https://www.articulo66.com/2020/08/21/rosario-murillo-fuerzas-de-las-tinieblas-periodistas-independientes/ [115] https://rsf.org/en/ranking [116] http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/media_center/PReleases/2020/080.asp [117] https://www.violetachamorro.org/ataques/naturales/ [118] https://www.oas.org/es/centro_noticias/comunicado_prensa.asp?sCodigo=C-102/20 [119] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-54614872 [120] https://www.cejil.org/es/organizaciones-denuncian-aumento-represion-nicaragua-aniversario-protestas-que-iniciaron-abril-2018 [121] https://www.fidh.org/en/region/americas/nicaragua/nicaraguan-authorities-repression-of-activists-human-rights-defenders [122] http://www.pgr.gob.ni/PDF/2020/GACETA/OCTUBRE/GACETA_30_10_2020.pdf [123] https://www.oas.org/en/media_center/press_release.asp?sCodigo=E-127/20 55 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

those who spoke out against the pressure and censorship, through to the UN Paris Principles, specifically Government. The UK continued the use of threats, intimidation, on lack of autonomy, resources to press the authorities to resume state interference and financial or and investigative powers. In July, engagement with the opposition licensing levers. In coordination with a 200-year old gurdwara was and to respect human rights. The Canada, the UK ran a media freedom returned to the Sikh community UK co-sponsored the UN Human campaign to highlight the importance by the Balochistan Government. Rights Council’s resolution of of the issue in Pakistan. Legislation In December, the Pakistan 19 June, which condemned the introduced in October prompted Government approved construction human rights violations committed civil society concerns about online of Islamabad’s first Hindu temple. by the Nicaraguan authorities and freedom of expression and user Discrimination and violence against urged them to stop repression, data privacy. Female journalists women and girls remained prevalent, respect citizens’ rights, ensure continued to face online abuse and as did child exploitation. Pakistan a meaningful political dialogue, issued public statements demanding ranked 151 of 153 countries in and undertake electoral reform. government action. Media and the World Economic Forum 2020 NGO reports of killings, torture and On 31 December, the UK’s Nicaragua Gender Gap Index[125], falling three enforced disappearances of human sanctions regulations came into places after the last report. Despite rights defenders and journalists force. The UK imposed sanctions agreeing stronger laws in 2020 to continued. Draft legislation on the on six Nicaraguan nationals in protect women and girls, including protection of journalists remained relation to the undermining of to establish special courts to speed pending at the end of 2020. democracy, human rights and the up rape trials, enforcement remained rule of law, holding these individuals Widespread public violence and weak. There were further media and to account, and encouraging the discrimination against religious NGO reports of the forced conversion Nicaraguan Government to respect and ethnic minorities continued, and forced marriage of women from democratic principles, comply with including against Ahmadi Muslims, religious minority communities, international human rights law, Christians, Hazaras, Hindus and Shia particularly Christian, Hindu and Sikh. and refrain from actions or policies Muslims. There were faith-based The Pakistan Government passed which repressed civil society. killings, targeting minority Muslim the Zainab Alert, Recovery and communities, particularly Ahmadi In 2021, the UK will continue Response Act 2020 in March to and Shia Muslims, and anti-Shia to work through the bilateral improve the authorities’ ability rallies. The UK remained concerned relationship, multilateral institutions to respond to cases of child about blasphemy charges, including and the rules-based international abduction. In July, an amendment against academics and religious system to promote human rights, to the Child Employment Act 1991 communities, with many of those a free media, democracy and prohibited child domestic labour detained waiting a long time for open society in Nicaragua. in the Islamabad Capital Territory. their legal cases to progress. During COVID-19 lockdowns, The Pakistan Telecommunication Pakistan’s Ministry of Human Rights Authority (PTA) targeted websites Pakistan launched a helpline for women and restricted access to online and children affected by domestic The human rights situation in materials allegedly containing violence and child labour. Pakistan continued to be extremely blasphemous content- particularly challenging. Restrictions increased those belonging to Ahmadi Muslims- Modern slavery, particularly bonded on civic space and freedom of in a bid to shut down community and child labour, continued to expression. Discrimination against communications. Attacks on places be a major concern. The UK’s religious and ethnic minorities of worship and grave desecration Aawaz II Accountability, Inclusion continued. The imposition of the continued. The COVID-19 pandemic and Reducing Modern Slavery death penalty continued. The exacerbated existing tensions Programme worked with the prevalence of bonded and child between communities because Government and communities labour, and the failure to uphold of fears that specific groups were to raise awareness, challenge the rights of women and children, spreading COVID-19. Incidents perceptions and provide technical remained a cause for concern. There of hate speech towards religious advice on modern slavery issues, were positive steps to strengthen minorities increased as a result. including bonded child labour legislation on child protection. and child and forced marriage. There was some positive progress, Pakistan fell to 145 of 180 countries however. In May, a National Pakistan’s Ministry of Human Rights in the Reporters Without Borders Commission for Minorities was advocated transgender rights. In 2020 World Press Freedom Index[124]. established, although the UK had February, Pakistan became the The media came under increased some concerns about its adherence first country to include an openly

[124] https://rsf.org/en/pakistan [125] http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GGGR_2020.pdf CHAPTER 4: Human Rights Priority Countries 56

transgender woman in its national raft of legislative amendments and Rights sanctions regime. Two years delegation to the United Nations by changes to the Constitution. on from the 2018 OSCE Moscow Convention on the Elimination of Mechanism report on human rights Constitutional changes that came all Forms of Discrimination against violations in Chechnya, the Russian into force in July included an Women Committee. However, same- authorities still had not conducted a amendment asserting the primacy of sex relationships remained illegal, full investigation, and the climate of the Constitution over the decisions and LGBT+ people continued to impunity described in the Moscow of international bodies. This included face violence and discrimination. Mechanism Report continued to the European Court of Human prevail. The UK condemned the Pakistan retained the death penalty Rights, one of the few remaining kidnapping and torture in Chechnya for 27 offences. Juvenile offenders routes of recourse for victims of of 19-year-old Salman Tepsurkayev, and offenders with mental and human rights violations. Russia a moderator for the Telegram physical illnesses were among already had the most pending social media channel ‘1ADAT’. those on death row. In October, an cases of any Council of Europe amendment to the Counter-Narcotic member state. The Council of Europe The majority of media outlets Substances Act 1997 was passed by Venice Commission criticised this remained under the control of the National Assembly. If approved by amendment as contradicting Russia’s the Government, and the few the Senate, the legislation would lead obligations under the European independent media outlets to the abolition of the death penalty Convention on Human Rights. operated in an increasingly hostile for drug offences. We continued environment. In July, former Amendments to the 2012 Foreign to raise the UK’s longstanding journalist, Ivan Safronov, was Agents Law expanded its scope, opposition to the death penalty arrested and charged with treason. introducing additional reporting with the Government of Pakistan. Journalists who conducted single- requirements for organisations person pickets to protest against Media reports of enforced labelled foreign agents, and making Safronov’s arrest were detained. This disappearances, torture, detention it possible to label individuals as followed the detention on 3 July of a of prisoners without trial and foreign agents. New legislation also number of journalists who conducted extrajudicial killings by security forces introduced further restrictions on single-person pickets to express continued. In December, under the public protests, including restrictions their concern over the conviction Global Human Rights sanctions on single-person pickets, one of the of journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva. regime, the UK designated a former few remaining avenues for people senior Pakistani police official, Rao to exercise their constitutional The persecution of religious Anwar, for direct involvement in over right to peaceful protest. minorities continued, including the 190 staged police encounters, which detention of Jehovah’s Witnesses Existing laws on disrespecting the were reported to have resulted in who were labelled as ‘extremist’ authorities, extremism and counter- the deaths of over 400 people. and therefore banned. At least ten terrorism were used in selective people remained imprisoned, 417 In 2021, the UK will use targeted prosecutions to deter dissent. under criminal investigation, and 35 programme funding to help Cases of concern included the in pre-trial detention across Russia strengthen legislation, institutions, politically-motivated prosecution of and Russian-occupied Crimea. and social behaviour in order to Yuri Dmitriev, historian and Head promote and protect human rights, of Memorial’s Karelia branch, NGOs reported an alarming and prevent harmful practices. We who was sentenced to 13 years’ increase in domestic abuse shall continue to urge Pakistan imprisonment in September. The UK during the COVID-19 pandemic. to adhere to its international called for his immediate release. Meanwhile, legislation designed commitments and comply with to provide greater protection The poisoning of leading opposition its international obligations, and for victims remained stalled. figure Alexey Navalny in August improve the human rights situation was a serious blow to democracy Russian interference in Georgia’s for all individuals in the country. and political pluralism in Russia. In breakaway regions of Abkhazia September, G7 Foreign Ministers and South Ossetia led to a further Russia condemned the attack as a serious deterioration in the human rights threat to those men and women situation there, with reports from The human rights situation continued engaged in defending the political local media of torture and ethnic to deteriorate, with an increasingly and civil freedoms that Russia itself discrimination. Enhanced restrictions hostile environment for civil society, a had committed to guarantee. on freedom of movement through pliant and politically controlled judicial the closure of crossing points LGBT+ people continued to face system, and media under pressure. prevented residents from accessing systematic persecution in Chechnya. The already restrictive framework healthcare during the pandemic. In December, the UK designated for freedom of expression and civil The UK supported resolutions on three individuals and an entity society was further tightened by a internally displaced persons at the responsible for these violations UN General Assembly and at the UN under the UK’s Global Human 57 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

Human Rights Council, requesting Saudi Arabia a statement reiterating the call access for the UN Office of the High for their release, and expressing Commissioner for Human Rights. Progress made under the Vision disappointment at the transfer of 2030 economic and social reform women’s rights defender cases to Russia continued to commit human programme continued, despite the the Specialised Criminal Court for rights violations in illegally annexed challenges presented by COVID-19. terrorism cases. In December, this Crimea and, through its support to At the same time, the clampdown Court sentenced prominent activist proxies, in eastern Ukraine. Russia on political activity and freedom Loujain al Hathloul to five years, eight continued to ignore calls to allow of expression remained. Reforms months in detention, including a two international monitoring organisations provided more opportunities for year ten month suspended sentence. access to Crimea, and to remove women and increased protections Another activist, Samar Badawi, was restrictions on their access to for migrant workers’ rights. The sentenced to five years, including non-government controlled areas Government took steps to reform two years suspended. The Saudi of eastern Ukraine, obstructing the death penalty system, and authorities did not allow diplomats an independent assessment of there was a significant reduction and the media to observe these trials. the human rights situation. in the use of the death penalty. In July, the UK sanctioned 20 In Crimea, the de facto Russian The Saudi authorities detained a Saudi nationals for their role in the authorities continued to persecute number of high profile individuals, murder of Jamal Khashoggi, under minority groups and dissidents, and the trials of a number of existing the UK’s Global Human Rights using arbitrary arrests, torture and detainees, including prominent sanctions regime. The UK has intimidation to restrict fundamental women’s human rights defenders, consistently reiterated that this was freedoms. At least 109 political concluded with custodial sentences. a terrible crime, and the Foreign prisoners remained in detention While women’s rights remained Secretary raised this issue with his in Russia and Crimea, including restricted in Saudi Arabia, reforms counterpart, Saudi Foreign Minister 72 Crimean Tatars, many held in enabled women’s labour force HH Prince Faisal bin Farhan, during inhumane conditions, subject to participation, which continued its his visit to Riyadh in March. torture and ill-treatment, or denied upward trend, reaching 31.3% in medical care. The UK provided In April, the Saudi Government the third quarter of 2020[126]. The support to human rights defenders announced that the death penalty World Bank’s ‘Women, Business in Crimea so that NGOs could would no longer be imposed as and the Law 2020’[127] report ranked continue to monitor human rights, a discretionary punishment on Saudi Arabia as the most improved and seek redress for victims of individuals who had committed country for women’s economic abuses. We continued to raise offences as a minor. These changes opportunities. An increasing number concerns around the treatment of did not apply to hudud and qisas of sectors were opened to women. at least 109 political prisoners. In crimes, with punishments prescribed In July, Saudi Arabia appointed multilateral fora, including the OSCE, by the Quran. In August, the Saudi its first female judge and Deputy we called for international human authorities announced that they of the Shura Council. In October, rights monitoring missions to be would apply the law retrospectively. the Government appointed 100 granted vital access to Crimea. Official Saudi figures showed that female notaries, expanding the 27 individuals were executed in In 2021, the UK will remain roles available to women in the 2020 compared with 184 in 2019. In committed to the protection legal sector. Saudi courts also July, the Minister for the Middle East and promotion of human rights ruled that women had the legal and North Africa, James Cleverly, and civil society in Russia, and right to live on their own[128]. raised concern over the use of the we shall continue to urge the The trials of at least 12 women’s death penalty with Dr Awwad al Russian authorities to implement rights defenders continued. The Awwad, President of Saudi Arabia’s its international human rights Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, Human Rights Commission. obligations. The UK will also support raised his concern over their the new International Crimean Freedom of expression remained detention and treatment during his Platform, which will bring together the highly restricted. The World Press visit to Saudi Arabia in March. The international community to support Freedom Index ranked Saudi Arabia UK International Ambassador for the return of Crimea to Ukraine. 170 out of 180 countries[129]. Many Human Rights, Rita French, and political detainees arrested during six European counterparts issued the 2017 clampdown remained

[126] https://www.stats.gov.sa/sites/default/files/LM_Q3%202020%20%28Press%20release_EN%20%29.pdf [127] https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/32639/9781464815324.pdf [128] The majority of changes to guardianship requirements took place in 2019, and were detailed in the FCO 2019 Annual Human Rights & Democracy Report. In 2021 planned reforms to the judicial system were announced, and will therefore be included in the 2021 report, to be published in 2022.w [129] https://rsf.org/en/ranking CHAPTER 4: Human Rights Priority Countries 58

in detention, without clarity on improvements to the observance of Borders’ 2020 World Press trial proceedings. Allegations of women’s rights, raise specific cases Freedom Index[132], and was among torture, lack of family access, lack of concern, and attempt to attend the countries in Africa where the of medical care, and prolonged the trials of political detainees. largest number of journalists had solitary confinement continued. been killed in recent years[133]. In September, the UK signed Journalists continued to report a statement at the UN Human Somalia harassment, arbitrary detention and [134] Rights Council calling for the Progress in advancing human intimidation . A radio station owned release of all political detainees, rights in Somalia remained slow. by a minority clan in Somalia and and noted concern over reports of Persistent attacks by Al-Shabaab two TV stations in Somaliland were torture and arbitrary detention. threatened Somalia’s stability, closed down by the authorities. In September, the Federal Government In June, the US Department of State and the rights and livelihoods of appointed a special prosecutor to Trafficking in Persons report[130] many of its people. The effects of investigate crimes against journalists, upgraded Saudi Arabia to Tier II the COVID-19 pandemic, locust many of which remained unresolved. status—from Tier III, the lowest swarms and flooding exacerbated Amendments to the 2016 Media Law category—reflecting progress insecurity across the region, and were passed and some changes made over the previous year. increased the vulnerability of many. were welcomed by civil society After that, the Saudi Government A number of federal member states organisations, though some said that announced reforms to the kafala blocked plans to hold the first direct the Government had too great a role work sponsorship system to elections in 50 years, despite a in overseeing the media sector[135]. In improve migrant workers’ rights. requirement in the Constitution to Somaliland, a long-awaited media law The UK remained concerned by hold ‘one person one vote’ elections that would decriminalise many media the treatment of domestic workers and an Electoral Law passed by an offences remained in draft. A UK- who were beyond the scope of the overwhelming majority in parliament. funded programme brought together kafala reform. In November, with In late 2020, the Federal Government journalists and law enforcement the Saudi Ambassador to the UK, scheduled indirect elections for across five regions of Somaliland HRH Prince Khalid bin Bandar, the 2021, though arrangements for to improve mutual understanding. Minister for the Middle East and implementation were disputed. North Africa raised UK concerns The Federal Government assured The UK continued to work through a about the treatment of migrants UK officials that it would seek to range of international fora to promote who were held in overcrowded honour a commitment to ensure greater respect for human rights in migrant detention centres. that at least 30% of MPs in the Somalia, including co-sponsoring the resolution with Somalia at the The Saudi Government continued new parliament should be women, 45th session of the UN Human to deliver positive messages on though it remained unclear how this Rights Council in October 2020[136]. religious tolerance, but restrictions would be achieved. In Somaliland, remained on freedom of religion ‘one person, one vote’ parliamentary There was some evidence that the or belief. It continued to be illegal elections were scheduled for 31 secondary effects of COVID-19 to practise publicly a religion May 2021, the first since 2005, disproportionately affected women other than Islam, but the reduced alongside local council elections. and girls[137]. A UK-funded call presence of the religious police and The UK continued to support efforts centre for Somali women aided permission for expatriate non-Muslim to encourage marginalised groups, humanitarian actors through the faith groups to worship privately including women and minority pandemic. It enabled them to improved religious freedom. clans, in Somalia and Somaliland respond to women’s changing needs to stand as candidates and to in their programmes, particularly In 2021, we shall continue to engage exercise their political rights[131]. on water, sanitation and hygiene with the Saudi authorities on their services. More incidents of physical, plans for reform, particularly on Somalia was ranked 163 of 180 sexual and gender-based violence the use of the death penalty and countries in Reporters without (GBV) were reported compared

[130] https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2020-TIP-Report-Complete-062420-FINAL.pdf [131] For gender equality see the Annual Report (2020) to Parliament on the UK National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security:https://www. gov.uk/government/publications/uk-national-action-plan-on-women-peace-and-security-2018-to-2022-report-to-parliament-2020 [132] https://rsf.org/en/ranking [133] https://en.unesco.org/themes/safety-journalists/observatory [134] In Somaliland, the Somaliland Human Rights Centre recorded 60 arrests for issues related to freedom of expression, including 14 journalists: http://hrcsomaliland.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Final-Annual-Report-12-2020.pdf [135] https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/10/05/joint-letter-re-concerns-and-recommendations-somalias-new-media-law [136] https://undocs.org/A/HRC/45/L.52 [137] https://www.saferworld.org.uk/downloads/covid-somaliareportfinal-english-(003).pdf 59 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

with previous years[138]. The UK training designed to protect civilians Despite the formation of a unity funded the establishment of a local and to prevent the recruitment of government in February, delays telephone hotline for reporting child soldiers, and enabled more in implementation of the 2018 incidences of GBV, which provided women to engage in peacekeeping. Peace Agreement contributed a safer and more accessible to governance vacuums and a There were five reported executions route for women to report cases significant increase in sub-national by the Somali Federal Government to the authorities. Through our conflict and localised violence, and four by the Puntland authorities, implementing partners, the UK also particularly in Jonglei and Central a small decrease since 2019[141]. provided prevention, mitigation and Equatoria regions. The UN reported In Somaliland, 12 prisoners were response services for survivors of the killing of over 2,000 civilians in executed in 2020, the highest GBV by supporting and training legal, the first quarter of 2020, a 45% rise number since an effective clinical and psychological service compared with the same period in moratorium ended in 2015. providers, as well as police forces. 2019[142]. All sides continued to target The UK registered with Somali civilians deliberately; raids on villages, Child, early and forced marriages and Somaliland authorities its public executions and sexual violence remained common. In 2020, 16% of longstanding policy of opposing the were used to displace people, or married women had been married by death penalty in all circumstances. as punishment. Fighting also forced the age of 15, and 33% by the age In 2021, through the Conflict, Stability hundreds of thousands of people of 18[139]. Somalia’s female genital and Security Fund (CSSF), the UK from their homes, many of whom mutilation rates remained among will run Women, Peace and Security then faced severe food insecurity[143]. the highest in the world, increasing (WPS) training on inclusive access The recruitment of child soldiers was 1% to 99% of women[140]. Two to justice—continuing its ‘train a persistent problem, exacerbated competing sexual offence bills were the trainer’ work. A finalised WPS by school closures due to COVID-19, proposed in the Somali parliament. digital toolkit app will be produced which led to a further 2.2 million The first was brought by the Federal to disseminate research findings, children being out of school[144]. Government, with the support of and lessons learned from training civil society organisations, and was Conflict-related sexual violence sessions. The UK will also support aimed at tackling sexual offences. (CRSV), including the rape and inclusive elections in Somaliland. The second, tabled by MPs, would abduction of women and girls have effectively legalised child and for sexual slavery, continued forced marriage. The latter bill ran South Sudan to be prevalent[145]. Child and into significant resistance from forced marriage, often related to Somali citizens, and did not progress. The human rights situation remained abductions, remained an issue. In Somaliland, a similarly reactionary dire in South Sudan. The UN More broadly, sexual and gender- bill was passed by the Somaliland reported violations and abuses based violence (SGBV), including House of Representatives, but committed by all sides in the conflict, domestic violence, continued, was not considered by the upper including the targeted killing of with the COVID-19 related closure house during 2020. The UK civilians, acts of sexual violence, of schools making children more encouraged the authorities to the recruitment of child soldiers, vulnerable. Survivors of CRSV and ensure that it did not become law. attacks on schools and hospitals, SGBV struggled to access support abductions, and the forcible and protection from intimidation. A The UK continued to work with the displacement of communities. These continued culture of impunity meant Somali authorities and international occurred against a backdrop of a that there was little accountability partners to reduce incidents of abuse humanitarian and food insecurity for these crimes[146]. The UK urged or exploitation by Somali security crisis affecting millions of people. progress on tackling SGBV, and forces. We supported a range of

[138] https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/gbv_fgm_rapid_assessment_report_24july2020.pdf [139] The Somali Health and Demographic Survey 2020. https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Som%20Gvt%20UNFPA%20 Press%20Release_SHDS%20Rpt%20Launch_29-04-20_Final.pdf [140] The Somali Health and Demographic Survey 2020. https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Som%20Gvt%20UNFPA%20 Press%20Release_SHDS%20Rpt%20Launch_29-04-20_Final.pdf [141] https://dpw.pointjupiter.co/country-search-post.cfm?country=Somalia#f6-2 [142] https://unmiss.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/unmiss_hrd_quarterly_brief_on_violence_affecting_civilians_-_jan-march_2020.pdf, https:// unmiss.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/quarterly_brief_on_violence_affecting_civilians_april_june2020.pdf, and https://unmiss.unmissions. org/sites/default/files/quarterly_brief_on_violence_affecting_civilians_july-september.pdf [143] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021/country-chapters/south-sudan# [144] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021/country-chapters/south-sudan# [145] https://unmiss.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/unmiss_hrd_quarterly_brief_on_violence_affecting_civilians_-_jan-march_2020.pdf ; https:// unmiss.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/quarterly_brief_on_violence_affecting_civilians_april_june2020.pdf ; https://unmiss.unmissions.org/ sites/default/files/quarterly_brief_on_violence_affecting_civilians_july-september.pdf [146] https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/SS/access_to_health_for_survivors_of_conflict-related_sexual_violence_in_south_sudan.pdf) CHAPTER 4: Human Rights Priority Countries 60

used sexual violence as a form of torture and humiliation, particularly targeted at political prisoners[147]. Limitations to media freedom continued, and South Sudan remained high-risk for journalists. In one example, a journalist was detained for six days for reporting on US sanctions[148]. The UK was concerned that the South Sudanese authorities had made no progress on investigating the killing in 2017 of US-UK journalist Christopher Allen, despite continued UK pressure and calls for South Sudan to investigate, including at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in September[149]. The UK funded programmes on media training and COVID-19 literacy for journalists, and a leading South Sudanese journalist, Mary Goch, was named in November as runner-up for the UK-Canada Media Freedom Award. Widespread impunity persisted, and no meaningful progress was made towards establishing transitional justice mechanisms, including a Hybrid Court, a commitment in the 2018 Peace Agreement. Mobile courts, supported by the UN, allowed some prosecutions, but the scale of the problem remained huge, and justice was rarely delivered. The death penalty was HRH The Countess of Wessex meets women activists at an International still in use, though the Court of Women’s Day event—March 2020, Juba, South Sudan. Appeals did quash the death penalty sentence of an individual who had HRH The Countess of Wessex restricted, notably by the actions of been a child when the crime was visited South Sudan in March to the National Security Service. The UK committed. The UK continued its champion the inclusion of women at welcomed the release of a number leading role on South Sudan at the a critical time in the implementation of political prisoners in January. HRC, including on extending the of peace in the country and meet However, security services continued mandate of the UN Commission survivors to shine a spotlight on the to arrest and arbitrarily detain on Human Rights, an important prevalence of CRSV and SGBV. UK people alleged to have criticised the tool for accountability. During the support also included a five-year Government. Notable cases included Interactive Dialogue in September, (2016-20), £22 million programme the detention without charge for the UK also called on South Sudan’s to deliver SGBV prevention and 117 days of Kanybil Noon, a political Government to tackle SGBV and response services, including activist. He was released only on end impunity for perpetrators[150]. psychosocial support for survivors. condition that he would cease criticism of the Government. Human The humanitarian situation Political space and freedom Rights Watch detailed allegations deteriorated further, and South of expression continued to be that government security agencies Sudan remained one of the most

[147] https://www.hrw.org/report/2020/12/14/what-crime-was-i-paying/abuses-south-sudans-national-security-service [148] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021/country-chapters/south-sudan# [149] https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/un-human-rights-council-45-interactive-dialogue-with-the-commission-on-human-rights-in- south-sudan [150] https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/un-human-rights-council-45-interactive-dialogue-with-the-commission-on-human-rights-in- south-sudan 61 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

dangerous operating environments At the UN Human Rights Council in In March, the Government also for humanitarian workers in the February, the Sri Lankan Government announced a policy of mandating world, with nine killed in 2020[151]. withdrew its support for resolutions cremations for all COVID-19 deaths, 6.35 million people faced severe 30/1, 34/1, and 40/1 on post-conflict despite World Health Organization food insecurity in October and transitional justice, accountability and guidelines that permitted burials. November while, in December, one reconciliation. Although it announced This particularly affected Muslim county was declared in likely famine, its commitment to a domestic and some Christian communities, and a further five in famine-like mechanism for reconciliation for whom burial is an essential conditions[152]. Localised violence and accountability, there was no rite. In December, the Supreme and bureaucratic impediments progress on this. The UK made clear Court dismissed several petitions obstructed humanitarian access, its commitment to reconciliation that challenged this policy. The making the situation worse. The and accountability in statements outbreak of COVID-19 also led UK worked with UN agencies, delivered on behalf of the Core to an increase in anti-Muslim donors and implementing partners Group[154] on Sri Lanka at the HRC sentiment, fuelled by hate speech to provide life-saving assistance, in February, June and September. and disinformation suggesting that and pressed the government to Muslims were ‘carriers’ of COVID-19 Sri Lanka’s commitment to act to help its own citizens and and were violating prevention accountability was further called into protect humanitarian workers. measures. In June, the UN High question in March when President Commissioner for Human Rights, In 2021, the UK will continue to press Rajapaksa pardoned and released Michelle Bachelet, expressed the South Sudanese government to former Army Staff Sergeant Sunil concern over the clampdown on tackle key human rights concerns, Ratnayake, who was convicted in freedom of expression, noting an including SGBV and restrictions 2015 for the murder of eight civilians announcement made by the police on freedom of expression. We (including children) in Jaffna in 2000. in April to arrest those critical of the shall also continue our leading role The President continued to appoint Government’s COVID-19 response. in Geneva in support of the UN controversial military figures accused Commission on Human Rights in of war crimes to government roles, Through the Conflict, Stability and South Sudan. Underpinning this, we while civilian functions such as the Security Fund (CSSF) programme shall push for the implementation Secretariat for Non-Governmental and during the COVID-19 pandemic, of the 2018 Peace Agreement, to Organizations were brought under the UK supported victims of help tackle some of the drivers the control of the Ministry of Defence. sexual and gender-based violence of the human rights situation. who were particularly affected In October, the Government by lockdowns and stay-at-home passed the 20th Amendment measures. The UK also helped to the Constitution, which Democratic Socialist build media capacity to highlight the extended executive power over Republic of Sri Lanka impact of COVID-19 on marginalised appointments to the judiciary communities. In October, media and independent institutions, The overall human rights situation in reports alleged that judicial medical and reversed several important Sri Lanka continued to deteriorate in officers and police had conducted [153] institutional checks and balances. 2020 . The Government delivered invasive intimate examinations free and peaceful parliamentary In March, the President dissolved on LGBT+ persons without their elections despite the COVID-19 parliament ahead of elections, which consent, following which the Justice pandemic, and maintained low were then twice postponed because Minister Ali Sabry gave instructions numbers of COVID-19 cases of the COVID-19 outbreak. Although to halt and investigate the practice. compared to global figures. the Government went on to deliver Throughout the year, the Government However, there was increased peaceful and democratic elections continued to use the Prevention surveillance and intimidation of in August, the delay resulted in of Terrorism Act (PTA), despite civil society, constraints placed on a lack of parliamentary oversight a renewed pledge at the 43rd communities practising religious between March and August. The session of the HRC to review the burial rites, a number of lengthy Government instead formed several legislation. In April, prominent human detentions without charge, and presidential ‘taskforces’ without rights lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah was several setbacks on post-conflict parliamentary scrutiny, including to arrested by Sri Lanka’s Criminal accountability and reconciliation. oversee the COVID-19 response. Investigation Department under the

[151] https://reliefweb.int/report/south-sudan/humanitarian-coordinator-condemns-second-killing-aid-worker-within-days-south [152] http://www.ipcinfo.org/ipcinfo-website/alerts-archive/issue-31/en [153] A report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, published on 27 January 2021, expressed deep concern about the deteriorating human rights situation in Sri Lanka in 2020 and warned of the risk of recurrence of past human rights violations: https://www.ohchr.org/ Documents/Countries/LK/Sri_LankaReportJan2021.docx [154] The Core Group on Sri Lanka comprises Canada, Germany, Montenegro, North Macedonia and the UK. CHAPTER 4: Human Rights Priority Countries 62

PTA. Hejaaz was detained without freedom. In July, the Government Ambassador to Sudan, Irfan Siddiq, charge or presentation before a of Sudan passed a series of legal met the Commission’s Chair and court. International rights groups reforms, including the criminalisation pressed for the investigation to be noted an increase in intimidation, of female genital mutilation (FGM). concluded swiftly and transparently. surveillance and online abuse, The UK had long supported the Instances of alleged torture by including threats to lawyers, Sudanese-led movement to end elements of the Security Services, journalists, families of disappeared FGM. We continued to help combat which led to the deaths of two persons and individuals working on the practice by facilitating community individuals, further demonstrated human rights and anti-corruption. dialogue, providing training for the importance of accountability and medical professionals, and working justice as part of Sudan’s transition. In November, unrest at Mahara with religious leaders. In other project prison over COVID-19 concerns The UK continued to take a leading work, the UK supported media resulted in the death of eleven role in building international support freedom by providing training to inmates and injury of over 150. A for Sudan, both in multilateral fora over 1,000 journalists to strengthen committee appointed to investigate and as part of the Friends of Sudan, local reporting. We also helped to the unrest concluded that the a grouping of international countries, develop a Media Reform Roadmap inmates’ demands had been including the UK, dedicated to to feed into Sudan’s National Action reasonable, and autopsies revealed supporting Sudan’s successful Plan, which led to the creation of that all inmates had died of gunshot transition to a fully democratic state. a committee of national experts wounds. In November, the Human At the October session of the UN to oversee reform efforts. Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Human Rights Council (HRC), we co- wrote to the Inspector General of Apostasy (which carried the death sponsored the annual Resolution on Police to highlight an increase in penalty) was decriminalised in July Sudan, which committed technical deaths in custody, and released and there were efforts to facilitate support and capacity building to a prison study which noted that inter-faith dialogue. For example, assist the Sudanese Government’s the treatment of prisoners fell the Juba Peace Agreement, signed efforts to improve human rights. below international standards. by the Government of Sudan and a The UK also provided £400,000 number of armed groups in October, towards the establishment of a In 2021, the UK will continue to mandated the establishment of presence for the Office of the UN press for progress on human rights, an independent commission for High Commissioner for Human gender equality and protections for religious freedom. While these were Rights (OHCHR) in Khartoum, minorities and vulnerable groups. We important steps towards promoting which became operational in 2020. shall continue to invest in ambitious freedom of religion or belief in The OHCHR played a crucial programmes which support conflict- Sudan, further reforms remained role in monitoring human rights affected communities, promote outstanding, including amending developments, and had already the role of civil society, facilitate status laws discriminating against delivered training workshops on social cohesion, and underline the women and girls, ending flogging international human rights law for critical importance of post-conflict as punishment for religious crimes, senior military commanders by reconciliation and accountability. and reforming blasphemy laws. the end of 2020. The UK engaged the Sudanese Government Despite some positive developments, and the OHCHR on the swift Sudan progress on transitional justice was establishment of four field offices limited. The October Juba Peace Sudan took further positive steps outside of Khartoum, to ensure a Agreement outlined transitional towards human rights reform. This holistic approach across Sudan. built on earlier commitments following justice as a key component to the removal of Omar al-Bashir as ensuring stability in Sudan. Following The OHCHR, as part of the UN President in 2019. Notable progress the Agreement, the Government Country Team, worked closely with was made on freedom of religion or of Sudan welcomed the first visit the UN-African Union peacekeeping belief, and the rights of women and of the International Criminal Court mission in Darfur to protect and girls. However, significant challenges (ICC) Chief Prosecutor to Khartoum promote the rights of civilians. remained, particularly in relation to discuss cases related to war In this regard, we welcomed the to the increase in intercommunal crimes committed in Darfur, including Government’s National Protection of violence. These challenges reflected charges against former President Civilians strategy as a demonstration the scale of the task for the civilian- Bashir. The UK commended this of its commitment to assuming full led Sudanese Government after cooperation and urged that the ICC responsibilities, although it will take decades of misrule and oppression. be allowed access to witnesses time to build the required capacity. and crime sites. Less progress The increase in intercommunal Through its programme work, the was made by the Investigation violence and civilian displacement UK provided support to Sudanese Commission into the killing of demonstrated the complexity of civil society, particularly on the rights protesters on 3 June 2019, with no the drivers and root causes of the of women and girls, and on media report yet published. The then UK conflict. The UK urged the Sudanese 63 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

authorities to work with OHCHR to attacks on a civilian compound continued to confiscate property and the UN Integrated Transition in southern Idlib in summer 2019. In and restrict access for returning Assistance Mission in Sudan April, the UN Board of Inquiry (BOI) displaced persons and refugees. (UNITAMS), which has the mandate reported on its investigations into six In the Turkish-controlled north- to support the peace process and attacks on civilian infrastructure and west, scores of civilians were killed assist the political transition. UN-supported facilities in north- and injured during shelling and west Syria in 2019. The BOI found In 2021, the UK will encourage rocket attacks. The COI’s report it “highly probable” that the regime the Government of Sudan to in September noted a number of and its allies were responsible for the demonstrate full respect for human abuses allegedly carried out by the attacks on one school, two hospitals rights, including lobbying for the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army and a centre for child protection ratification of the UN Convention militia group, including hostage- services, and “plausible” that they Against Torture (CAT) and the taking, torture, rape, looting, property had attacked a further hospital. Convention on the Elimination of confiscations, and appropriation of Human Rights Watch’s report in all Forms of Discrimination Against agricultural land. These all occurred October named ten senior Syrian and Women (CEDAW). We shall deliver in predominantly Kurdish-majority Russian civilians and military officials programmes that promote long- areas. Turkey rejected these who had command responsibility term stability in conflict-affected allegations. In the north-east, over for attacks on civilians and whose areas, support marginalised groups, 60,000 women and children—nearly involvement may have amounted and encourage reconciliation 35,000 under twelve—remained to crimes against humanity[156]. within conflicted communities. We detained in the Al Hol and Al Roj shall also contribute substantively The ceasefire agreed between Russia camps in poor conditions. Insufficient to efforts concerning Sudan at and Turkey on 5 March largely held, resources and restrictions on the HRC, including its Universal but most of the 1.4 million people humanitarian access contributed Periodic Review, and in negotiations who had fled previous indiscriminate to deteriorating camp conditions. over the next iteration of the bombardments remained in squalid In July, the UK pledged at least annual resolution on Sudan. displacement camps in northern £300 million at the Brussels Idlib. Increasing numbers of women conference on ‘Supporting the and girls in the overcrowded camps Future of Syria and the Region’, Syria suffered sexual and domestic and provided £33 million through violence, and there were more The human rights situation in UN and NGO partners to help forced, early marriages. In July, the Syria showed no improvement mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 in COI reported that political opponents in 2020, despite a measurable Syria, including through healthcare, and media activists in Hayat Tahrir decrease in violent conflict. An food, water and sanitation. unprecedented economic crisis al-Sham (HTS)-controlled Idlib who The UK sustained pressure to and the COVID-19 pandemic expressed dissent against HTS had improve human rights in Syria, further increased the suffering been detained, tortured and killed. including through UK leadership of the Syrian people. Arbitrary In regime-controlled areas, human on three Syria resolutions at the detention, enforced disappearances, rights violations continued unabated. UN Human Rights Council, which torture, sexual violence and severe The COI highlighted that security again mandated the work of the restrictions on civil and political operations continued to violate COI. We repeatedly echoed the rights remained widespread. residents’ civil, economic, political pleas of the UN Special Envoy for The Syrian regime was the main and social rights. Checkpoints Syria, Geir Pedersen, for meaningful perpetrator of these violations, but blocked residents from sending action on the issue of detainees abuses were also committed by their children to school and from and missing persons. The UK proscribed terrorist organisations accessing healthcare. The COI’s continued to support programmes and other armed groups. report in September stated to help build Syrian women and that recent cases of enforced In its March report[155], the UN girls’ long-term social, political disappearance, torture, sexual Commission of Inquiry (COI) accused and economic empowerment. the Syrian regime of war crimes in violence and deaths in custody The UK supported accountability its use of cluster munitions against across regime-held areas amounted efforts towards prosecuting a camp for displaced persons and to crimes against humanity. perpetrators of human rights and repeated attacks on medical facilities. Detentions, targeted killings and international humanitarian law The COI also stated that the Russian assassinations increased in Daraa, violations. Our Conflict, Stability air force had committed “the war Suwayda and in rural Damascus, and Security Fund (CSSF) funding crime of launching indiscriminate increasing tensions with the local supported the International attacks in civilian areas” in reference population. The regime also

[155] https://www.ohchr.org/en/hrbodies/hrc/iicisyria/pages/independentinternationalcommission.aspx [156] https://www.hrw.org/report/2020/10/15/targeting-life-idlib/syrian-and-russian-strikes-civilian-infrastructure CHAPTER 4: Human Rights Priority Countries 64

Commission on Missing Persons in-country, most human rights divorce, or access to inheritance, to identify and preserve remains in defenders still worked from abroad. and there were complaints of forced mass graves in north-east Syria, to marriages in some rural areas where Conditions in prisons were reported give the families of the deceased girls were expected to navigate to be harsh[157], with Human Rights some closure, and to support the justice system alone to find Watch stating that torture and ill- accountability for Daesh crimes. In help. Parents often prioritised the treatment were widespread[158]. The April, the trial of two former members education of their sons, failing to Prove They Are Alive! campaign of the Syrian security service offer direct assistance and suitable noted that, while some political began in Germany, supported by alternatives and leaving girls behind prisoners had been able to receive evidence gathered by the UK-funded and unable to fulfil their ambitions. visitors, “a large number of the Commission for International Justice The Government appeared to do disappeared continue to be held and Accountability. The UK was at little to act against such behaviour. in complete isolation without any the forefront of accountability efforts The British Embassy in Ashgabat contact with the outside world for Syria’s use of chemical weapons, partnered with the UNFPA to support despite the fact that this type of including an Organisation for the the launch of a hotline service isolation contradicts Turkmenistan’s Prohibition of Chemical Weapons offering women and girls confidential, national legislation and its Executive Council Decision in July. immediate and evidence-based international commitments”[159]. information on their reproductive We continued to support the Freedom of expression continued rights, existing reproductive health UN International, Impartial and to be severely restricted. All media services, and overall health advice, Independent Mechanism (IIIM) to fulfil in Turkmenistan remained under as well as advice on protecting its mandate of investigating the most state control, foreign publications against the risk of domestic violence. serious human rights violations and were prohibited, and most social abuses committed during the conflict, Although Turkmenistan worked with media and many internet sites including through an additional the UN on a partnership agreement, were blocked. The authorities also £285,000 of financial support. including rule of law and human sought to block the use of VPNs. rights elements, there was little In 2021, the UK will continue Reporters Without Borders ranked evidence of progress on the range pursuing accountability for the Turkmenistan 179 of 180 countries of Universal Periodic Review (UPR) most serious crimes committed in its World Press Freedom Index[160]. recommendations that Turkmenistan in Syria and, noting the grim, Protests or demonstrations were accepted in 2018. No mid-term ten-year milestone of the conflict not tolerated by the authorities. progress report was produced as in March, the achievement of a There were allegations of scheduled in 2020. Turkmenistan genuine, inclusive and credible imprisonment of at least one person did not appear to have worked in political settlement, as the only who had shared on social media partnership with the International way to deliver a lasting peace. unapproved information about Labour Organization to eliminate investigations into COVID-19. the use of forced labour in the Turkmenistan Various reports raised concerns cotton harvest, despite agreeing over women’s rights and gender to a 2018 UPR recommendation to There was no recognisable equality. As in 2019, there were do so. Turkmenistan accepted the improvement in the overall human reports that some female drivers had UK’s 2018 UPR recommendation rights situation in Turkmenistan been harassed by traffic police, and to sign the Optional Protocol to in 2020. The principal issues that women had been prohibited the Convention against Torture were continuing allegations of from obtaining or renewing driving (OPCAT), but by the end of 2020 torture, sexual violence, and poor licenses (although it appeared that had taken no action to put this conditions in prisons, restrictions the authorities began to reverse commitment into effect. on freedom of expression and on these restrictions towards the end of There were reports that Turkmenistan freedom of religion or belief, gender the year)[161]. Priority in employment had imprisoned a number of discrimination, and restrictions on often appeared to be given to men, conscientious objectors to military the rights of LGBT+ people. There and women faced obstacles to their service, including Jehovah’s were continued reports of victims professional progress. Unregistered Witnesses, with no alternative of enforced disappearances being religious marriages reportedly took to military service available. The held in incommunicado detention. place, which left women without prison sentences were generally Given the likelihood of persecution the protection of the law in cases of for two years, the length of the

[157] https://freedomhouse.org/country/turkmenistan/freedom-world/2020 [158] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021/country-chapters/turkmenistan [159] https://provetheyarealive.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/TKM-prison-system_briefing-paper_Prove-campaign_Feb-2020.pdf [160] https://rsf.org/en/ranking [161] https://www.rferl.org/a/turkmenistan-quietly-removes-curbs-women-driver-s-licenses/30983967.html 65 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

compulsory military service. It weakening of media freedom and a often buoyed by local media which continued to prove difficult to lack of action on torture allegations. reported negatively on LGBT+ issues. register, or re-register, a religious In comparison to previous years, Uzbekistan continued to allow the organisation in Turkmenistan. women’s rights were discussed practice of all major religions, and Turkmenistan continued to criminalise more openly within government ensure their protection under the sexual intercourse between men, and among the public, in part law. In December, the US removed with a penalty of up to two years because the COVID-19 pandemic Uzbekistan from its ‘Special Watch imprisonment—it was reported that turned the spotlight on serious List’ for religious freedom, in this law had been applied in 2020[162]. issues such as discrimination and recognition of continued progress domestic violence. The Government with reform in this area. The International NGOs, including took some steps in response, Government submitted a draft law Amnesty International and Human including establishing hotlines on religious freedom to the Venice Rights Watch, were not permitted to for sufferers of domestic abuse, Commission, reflecting continued enter Turkmenistan, and concerns and increasing efforts to highlight openness and engagement on were raised about the difficulty support networks and helplines. freedom of religion or belief. The in registering NGOs and about However, greater legislative change Venice Commission responded, harassment of the few human continued to be required: rape and the international community rights activists in the country[163]. within marriage was not explicitly submitted a number of comments There were reports that the families criminalised, women’s property and recommendations on the of overseas-based activists had and residency rights remained draft, including on the registration been subject to intimidation by weak, and divorce continued to be of new religious groups, which the Turkmen authorities[164]. difficult for women, including for remained heavily controlled by local In 2021, we will continue to promote those suffering domestic abuse. authorities. The Government did not human rights through our policy respond to these recommendations The authorities further increased and project work—including during 2020. There were also penalties for forced labour, making training journalists on media reports that the authorities retained it a criminal rather than civil offence. literacy, new media formats and significant control and influence in The Government ran campaigns fundamental standards—and will a number of areas relating to Islam, to raise public awareness of these also engage with the Turkmen particularly the control of sermons. legislative changes, and continued Government for this purpose. to signal its commitment to eradicate President Shavkat Mirziyoyev forced labour. Uzbekistan ended all highlighted in keynote speeches Uzbekistan state quotas for cotton production, the importance of a more vibrant and encouraged private sector civil society, and a revised Non- Uzbekistan continued to move in investment and mechanisation, all Governmental Organisation (NGO) the right direction in several human aimed at reducing forced labour. Code was under preparation. rights areas, especially women’s However, NGO registration remained Uzbekistan announced its intention to rights and efforts to reduce forced difficult and opaque and, in many hold consultations on reviewing the labour. Legislative reform was cases, applications to register law criminalising sexual intercourse under consideration regarding civil were repeatedly rejected without between men. This announcement society and freedom of religion or explanation by the authorities. belief, and a public consultation on was a positive step towards a more decriminalising same-sex relations open discussion of this issue, in There were reports of torture between men was announced. a country where there had been and mistreatment: at least two Through the use of online portals, an aversion to accepting same- individuals died in police custody, Uzbekistan took active steps to sex relations. However, these and allegations of sexual abuse consult citizens, and the authorities consultations did not take place in were made against the police. engaged directly with local and 2020, and the nature and timings of Despite being raised by the British international civil society, and the the consultations remained unknown. Embassy, the UN and others, diplomatic community in Tashkent, The LGBT+ community in Uzbekistan investigations into these and other on its legislative reforms. However, continued to suffer persecution allegations of torture were rare and it was unclear how far-reaching and discrimination. Anecdotal lacked transparency. The situation these planned legislative reforms evidence suggested that the police was exacerbated by Uzbekistan’s might be, and in some areas the blackmailed members of the LGBT+ limited legal definition of torture, situation worsened, in particular the community, and that abuse from and a 15-year statute of limitation. religious and nationalist groups grew,

[162] https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/05/26/two-years-prison-gay-sex-turkmenistan [163] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021/country-chapters/turkmenistan [164] https://www.rferl.org/a/turkmenistan-s-tsikhanouskaya-activist-determined-to-fight-for-democratic-change-says-we-are-not-afraid- anymore-/30927728.html CHAPTER 4: Human Rights Priority Countries 66

Closed court hearings remained Venezuela trafficking, sexual exploitation and the common, undermining transparency exploitation of indigenous populations and trust in the legal and judicial The protracted political crisis in were reportedly widespread. processes. As in previous years, Venezuela continued in 2020. The The IIFFM and the OHCHR’s numerous individuals claimed to UN’s Independent International mandates were renewed for two have been denied due process, Fact Finding Mission (IIFFM) found years in September’s session of including access to lawyers. “reasonable grounds to believe the UN Human Rights Council. The that Venezuelan authorities and Despite the progress achieved in Prosecutor of the ICC continued security forces… planned and 2019, media freedom worsened in to make progress in Venezuela’s executed serious human rights 2020. Websites such as Facebook preliminary examination, after violations, some of which—including were blocked on several occasions, finding that crimes within the arbitrary killings and the systematic and there were numerous examples jurisdiction of the Court had use of torture—amount to crimes of journalists being pressured to occurred in the country. against humanity”[165]. The UN also remove or not publish articles that condemned modern slavery, child Between 2015 and 2020, regime were critical of officials or official labour, human trafficking, sexual forces killed 27,856 people in policy. For example, one blogger exploitation, and the exploitation of instances of alleged ‘resistance to was arrested for live-streaming indigenous populations in the Arco authority’[167]. Of the 11,891 violent a protest, was dismissed from Minero Orinoco mining region. The deaths recorded in 2020, 30% of their employment and placed in a year ended with Nicolás Maduro which were still under investigation psychiatric facility, while another was tightening his grip on power at the end of the year, security extradited from Kyrgyzstan, allegedly following fraudulent legislative operations were found to be for treason, with his case being elections on 6 December. responsible for over half. Although dismissed only after intervention at the total number of deaths in 2020 very senior levels. The authorities Extrajudicial executions, torture, was lower than in previous years, this used COVID-19 as an opportunity sexual violence, the operation of was the first time that killings by the to crack down on independent clandestine detention centres, police and military forces exceeded journalism by punishing ‘fake news’, enforced disappearances, and those committed by criminals. and several journalists and bloggers politically motivated arbitrary were arrested under this charge. detentions were among the IIFFM’s The COVID-19 pandemic seriously findings published in September incapacitated the justice system for In 2020, the UK used programme 2020. By tracing the chains of most of the year. Fewer than 10% of funds locally to increase the capacity command in the country’s security gender-based violence complaints of state and non-state media to agencies, the IIFFM concluded reached formal court proceedings. increase the supply of, and access to, there were reasonable grounds With the UK’s support, two local engaging and informative high-quality to believe that the Venezuelan organisations, Proyecto Mujeres media content in Uzbekistan. We also authorities and security forces and Mulier, created and promoted supported the Uzbek parliament in had planned and executed human a directory with legal, psychological their establishment of a human rights rights violations which amounted to and emergency services for victims committee based on the model of crimes against humanity. Following of domestic violence. The UK the UK’s Joint Committee on Human the IIFFM’s findings, the UK in sponsored a project to educate Rights, and worked with a local NGO December sanctioned three security girls through sports and workshops on the provision of free legal advice officials involved in human rights on leadership, sexual education, to the public on new legislation violations under its Global Human public speaking and how to (including COVID-19 regulations). Rights sanctions regime. The UK challenge gender-based violence. In 2021, we shall continue was the first country to take such The Maduro regime continued to supporting further reforms, civil action following the IIFFM report. undermine the National Assembly in service capacity building, media In July, the UN Office of the 2020. In the run-up to December’s freedom and the rule of law. We High Commissioner for Human parliamentary elections, the Maduro- also intend to work constructively Rights (OHCHR) exposed illegal regime controlled Supreme Court with Uzbekistan at the UN Human deforestation and modern slavery suspended the ruling bodies of three Rights Council in Geneva, particularly in the Orinoco Mining Arc[166]. The opposition parties and replaced on women’s rights, preventing mines were largely controlled by them with government supporters, torture and media freedom. armed groups and criminals who thereby undermining Venezuelans’ carried out extreme punishments right to free and fair elections. It and executions. Child labour, human also appointed a politicised National

[165] https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=26247&LangID=E [166] https://undocs.org/en/A/HRC/44/54 [167] http://www.heartsonvenezuela.com/venezuela-police-forces-killed-more-people-than-criminal-organizations-in-2020/ 67 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

Electoral Council (CNE). Leading inside Venezuela, supporting the UN pressed the Government of Yemen opposition parties refused to and other international organisations to implement the recommendations. participate in legislative elections to deliver life-saving programmes to The UK provided over £200 million in that were not free, fair or credible. address health, water and sanitation, response to the humanitarian crisis in nutrition and protection. 80% of the The UK and others in the international Yemen for the financial year 2020/21, £14 million contributed by the UK community, including the US, EU, bringing our total commitment to over in 2020 to help with the Venezuela and members of the Lima Group[168], £1 billion since the conflict began. crisis was spent inside Venezuela, rejected the validity of the elections. In 2020, UK aid supported at least with the remainder used for regional 500,000 vulnerable people each The regime continued to exert programmes addressing the needs of month to buy food, and provided pressure on civil society and Venezuelan refugees and migrants. over one million people with improved NGOs. The Centre for Human In 2021, the UK will continue water supply and sanitation. By May, Rights Defenders and Justice, a to support an independent the UN Office of the Coordination local NGO, recorded 303 attacks and diverse civil society in for Humanitarian Affairs reported against human rights defenders Venezuela, and oppose abuses that an all-time high of 16.8 million (HRDs), ranging from stigmatisation, of power and call out violations people were affected by access harassment, cyber-attacks, of human rights by the regime. constraints, with aid delivery threats, illegal raids, detentions, to obstructed in Houthi-controlled areas. mistreatment and torture. Healthcare workers and journalists sharing or Yemen The UN noted that from 2015 to publishing information on social 2020 gender-based violence had media questioning official data or The human rights situation in Yemen risen by 63%[172]. An estimated 75% policies were subjected to regime remained dire in the sixth year of of internally displaced people were intimidation. According to IPYS, a the conflict. There were reports of women and girls, with around 20% local NGO, 198 journalists fell victim human rights violations and abuses of households headed by girls under to attacks including harassment, by all parties to the conflict, including 18. The UK offered emergency cash enforced disappearances, attacks on freedom of religion assistance for displaced women, arbitrary detentions and even or belief, freedom of expression, enabling them to access vital two killings[169]. The UK raised the women’s rights, humanitarian services and psychosocial support. profile of the work of HRDs, funded access, enjoyment of social and We provided £31 million to UNICEF capacity building programmes, economic rights, and protection from to supply emergency cash to 1.5 and publicly condemned the recruitment of child soldiers, arbitrary million families to mitigate against harassment of journalists. detention, torture and sexual violence. COVID-19 impacts, approximately half given directly to women. Venezuela was placed on Oxfam’s The UK continued to encourage all list of the top ten countries where parties to find a political solution The UK continued to condemn the the food crisis was more severe to the conflict, to help create use of child soldiers and reiterated and getting worse because of the the conditions necessary for the our commitment to protecting COVID-19 pandemic[170]. The World legitimate government to improve its children in armed conflict. A UN Food Programme was not allowed capacity to protect human rights and Secretary-General report in June to enter the country to support address the humanitarian crisis. We highlighted that 686 children had food provision for the 9.3 million supported the UN Group of Eminent been recruited into armed forces people who faced moderate or Experts to examine the human rights over the course of the previous severe food insecurity[171]. Rising situation in Yemen, and encouraged year, with a total of 4,042 recorded food prices, petrol and domestic gas accountability for violations and grave violations against children[173]. shortages, and defective water and abuses by calling on all the parties to In November, the Minister for the electricity services, were among the the conflict to engage constructively Middle East and North Africa, James significant daily challenges faced by with the Group, protect human rights Cleverly, co-hosted an event with the population, especially outside and comply with their obligations Save the Children on ending the Caracas. Around 500 to 700 people under international humanitarian law. use of children in armed conflict, fled the country daily, even with the Following the Independent Yemeni promoting children’s education and borders legally closed. The UK was National Commission’s publication protecting female peacebuilders. the third largest donor of ODA funding of its sixth biannual report, the UK

[168] Lima Group: A grouping of countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, including Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Peru and Mexico. The group promotes a peaceful exit to the crisis in Venezuela. [169] https://ipysvenezuela.org/2021/03/01/limitaciones-informativas-fueron-un-virus-en-2020-segun-reporte-anual-de-ipys-venezuela [170] https://www.oxfam.org/en/world-brink-hunger-pandemic-coronavirus-threatens-push-millions-starvation [171] https://reliefweb.int/report/venezuela-bolivarian-republic/wfp-venezuela-food-security-assessment-main-findings-data [172] https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/yemenwomenandgirlspolicybrieffinalreadyfordissemination.pdf [173] https://www.un.org/sg/sites/www.un.org.sg/files/atoms/files/15-June-2020_Secretary-General_Report_on_CAAC_Eng.pdf CHAPTER 4: Human Rights Priority Countries 68

Religious minority groups continued international humanitarian law and of and impartial investigations by to face persecution. In particular, the conducting thorough and conclusive law enforcement officers. UK closely monitored the treatment investigations into alleged violations. In July, authorities took pre-emptive of the Baha’is, including through We provided training courses, and heavy-handed action to prevent meeting their representatives in advice, and guidance to support large-scale protests. These were the UK, and lobbying the relevant the Saudi military’s compliance with fuelled by growing frustration authorities. On 30 July, six members international humanitarian law. This following corruption scandals, of the Baha’i faith community, included providing training to the imploding healthcare provision, previously detained by the Houthis, Joint Incident Assessment Team on and the collapsing economy. The were released and left the country best practice for investigations. authorities detained opposition safely. This included Hamed bin In 2021, the UK will continue to politicians and journalists for Haydara, who had been imprisoned engage with all parties in Yemen encouraging participation in such since 2013 and had been sentenced to promote and protect human protests, and cases against journalist to death by Houthi courts. We rights, especially on issues relating Hopewell Chin’ono, and opposition welcomed this long overdue release, to arbitrary detention, social politicians Job Sikhala and Jacob but were concerned that the exclusion, freedom of religion or Ngarivhume, were continuing at the detainees had been held for their belief, and freedom of expression end of the year. The Government beliefs, and that Houthi courts had and association. We will also work continued to use the legal system to declared them fugitives who could on women’s rights and humanitarian silence critics, suppress opposition not live freely in their own country. access, and on preventing sexual and discourage protest. Meanwhile, The Houthis continued to attack violence and the use of child soldiers. the contrasting treatment of media freedom and to detain individuals arrested for corruption journalists arbitrarily. We condemned and connected to the ruling party the Houthis’ use of arbitrary detention Zimbabwe showed that Zimbabwe was far from and their decision to sentence four The human rights situation in achieving equality before the law. Yemeni journalists to death for their Zimbabwe did not improve in The Government of Zimbabwe still reporting. We called on all parties to 2020. The human rights monitoring had not implemented in a meaningful the conflict to guarantee the safety of group, Zimbabwe Peace Project, way the Commission of Inquiry’s journalists, so that they could work recorded 2,825 human rights recommendations[177] following the without fear of detention or reprisals, violations in 2020[176], similar to violence on 1 August 2018, when and exercise their right to freedom of the total in 2019. The majority of members of the Zimbabwean expression[174]. British national Luke violations were due to heavy-handed security services opened fire on Symons also remained detained policing of COVID-19 regulations protesters, killing six and injuring by Houthi authorities in Yemen. by the Zimbabwe Republic Police, many more. This was an important The UK continued to push for his as well as targeted abductions, indicator of a lack of political will to release on humanitarian grounds. arbitrary arrests, and detentions hold key state and military officials The UN Civilian Impact Monitoring linked to planned protests in July. accountable, either for the events Project recorded 1,508 civilian Incidents included the self-reported in August 2018 or for the violations casualties between January and abduction, torture and sexual committed by security services in September 2020, and widespread assault of opposition Movement of the January 2019 crackdown. The damage to infrastructure including Democratic Change Alliance party latter resulted in the deaths of 17 hospitals, schools and water members Joana Mamombe MP, people, with reports of rape and systems. On 30 December, the Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova, indiscriminate door-to-door raids by Houthis attacked Aden international on 13 May. They were arrested after the Zimbabwean security services. airport as the newly formed cabinet police took them in for questioning We welcomed the continued arrived, killing 27 civilians, and injuring over organising a demonstration in legislative processes to replace the more than 100. The UK condemned violation of COVID-19 regulations. restrictive Access to Information the attack[175]. The UK continued The Government continued to deny and Protection of Privacy Act and to monitor incidents of concern, involvement in abductions and Broadcasting Services Act. However, including allegations of violations torture, instead pointing to actions continued implementation of these of international humanitarian law by an unspecified ‘third force’, laws restricted freedom of expression, relating to Coalition airstrikes in or attempting to discredit those with arrests and harassment of media Yemen. The UK regularly raised who reported violations. There practitioners and citizen journalists with Saudi Arabia the importance of was little evidence of sustained

[174] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/statement-on-media-freedom-in-yemen [175] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/statement-on-attacks-in-aden-yemen [176] https://zimpeaceproject.com [177] The Commission concluded that the use of live ammunition on civilians was “clearly unjustified and disproportionate”. 69 Human Rights and Democracy: The 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Report

for expressing their views on social freedom and access to justice, as media. The Media Institute of well as the defence and promotion Southern Africa reported 49 human of human rights. This included rights violations against journalists in funding for several CSOs working 2020[178]. The Government claimed to tackle gender-based violence it had ended the state monopoly on in the home and in communities, television broadcasting by granting and by security sector personnel. six television licenses in November. We also provided significant However, companies which were support to lawyers representing awarded licenses were closely individuals arrested or detained by connected to the state and military. the state, in order to defend their constitutional and other legal rights. According to the UN World Food Programme, half the population In 2021, the UK will continue to required food assistance. In hold the Zimbabwean Government response, FCDO provided funding to account for significant human to support 418,000 people. The rights violations, by raising these Zimbabwean Government claimed both publicly and privately with the to support 736,000 households. Government and through the targeted However, there were frequent reports designation of individuals under that this assistance was irregular, and the UK’s autonomous Zimbabwe often distributed in ways designed to sanctions regime. We shall also boost support for the ruling party. continue to support CSOs working to identify human rights violations Zimbabwe’s already high rates of and providing support to victims gender-based violence (GBV) were and human rights defenders. exacerbated by the COVID-19 response. NGOs received a 60% increase in reported cases of GBV compared to the pre-lockdown period[179]. Other challenges in Zimbabwe put women at risk, including water shortages leading to queues at water points overnight and women being exposed to sexual exploitation. There were also several reports of police officers harassing women while enforcing lockdown. The UK provided technical assistance to GBV service organisations, enabling them to respond better to the increase in GBV cases. The UK continued to hold the Zimbabwean Government to account on its commitments to advancing citizens’ constitutional rights. We met persecuted activists, pro-democracy campaigners, parliamentarians, and leaders from across the political spectrum to encourage engagement, dialogue and a more open society, with the rights of all Zimbabweans respected. The UK continued to invest in the work of multiple civil society organisations (CSOs) in Zimbabwe focusing on accountability, media

[178] https://zimbabwe.misa.org [179] https://www.sddirect.org.uk/media/2136/safe-zimbabwe-evidence-synthesis-on-covid19-10122020-for-publication-v2.pdf

Communications Team Room WH1.165, Foreign and Commonwealth CCS0621833840 Office, King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH 978-1-5286-2732-0