Statement for the debate on UK sanctions for human rights abuses and corruption.

Thank you to the constituents who have been in touch with me regarding today’s debate on UK sanctions for human rights abuses and corruption.

Labour welcomed the introduction of the Magnitsky regime here in the UK in 2020 and has supported instances where the government has sanctioned those who violate human rights or engage in corruption.

We do, however, continue to urge the government to go further, be bolder and quicker in their application of these sanctions.

The UK has only sanctioned 20% of the perpetrators sanctioned by the United States under their regime illustrating a stark lack of the coordination between the UK and its allies – allowing corrupt officials, kleptocrats and human rights abusers off the hook.

One instance where this has particularly concerned me was following the Lekki massacre in Nigeria.

This shameful event, where military and police forces opened fire on unarmed protestors, was completely barbaric with Nigeria’s Judicial Panel of Inquiry finding those forces clearly responsible.

Despite a series of vague commitments from the government, we have still not seen sanctions imposed despite the clear judgement of the JPI.

The UK should be a leader in levelling sanctions in such serious circumstances, yet at present, this Government’s complacency means we are lagging behind.

We must see sanctions imposed on the perpetrators of the Lekki massacre, and ensure they are not allowed to escape unpunished due to this government’s shoddy attitude.

The advancement of human rights would be the basis of Labour’s foreign policy; we would ensure the proper resourcing and funding of the FCDO and the Office of Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) and we would work multilaterally to ensure that sanctions have maximum impact on the perpetrators of rights violations.