The FCDO’s approach to state level hostage situations

Foreign Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 1 Apr 2022 Closed: 29 May 2024 Parliament page
This inquiry will examine the processes and approaches taken by the UK Government in securing the release of the hostages in Iran, and other similar situations. It will assess the likely impact their approach may have on deterring other states from using this tactic and will consider options for multilateral … Read more
21 Recommendations
18 Conclusions
2 Reports
5 Oral sessions
4 Letters
5 Events
Activity timeline 17 events
20 Oct
2023
Report published
6 Jul
2023
Report published
6 Jul
2023
Correspondence
6 Jul
2023
Correspondence
4 Apr
2023
Report published
28 Mar
2023
Correspondence
13 Mar
2023
Oral evidence
13 Mar
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
7 Feb
2023
Oral evidence
7 Feb
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
8 Sep
2022
Correspondence
19 Jul
2022
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
13 Mar 2023
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Foreign Affairs Committee
David Rutley · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Jennifer Anderson · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office The Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
7 Feb 2023
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Foreign Affairs Committee
Mickey Bergman · Governor Richardson Center for Global Engagement Phil Harper QPM · Sheep One Hundred
19 Jul 2022
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Foreign Affairs Committee
Dr Tatyana Eatwell · Doughty Street Chambers Hans-Jakob Schindler · Counter Extremism Project (CEP) Rupert Skilbeck · REDRESS
24 May 2022
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Foreign Affairs Committee
Brian Jenkins · Rand Corporation Rachel Briggs · The Clarity Factory The Rt Hon. the Lord Hammond of Runnymede
17 May 2022
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Foreign Affairs Committee
Rt Hon Alistair Burt · Foreign and Commonwealth Office Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt
Recommendations & Conclusions
6 results
Clear
2 Recommendation Rejected
Sixth Report - Stolen years: comba…
We recommend that within the next 12 months the Government formalises and publishes guidance outlining...
We recommend that within the next 12 months the Government formalises and publishes guidance outlining criteria for determining whether the detention of a UK national by a foreign state is considered arbitrary and at risk of being used for state … Read more
Government Response
The government does not agree to formalize and publish guidance on criteria for determining arbitrary detention, stating they use a multi-disciplinary task force approach to identify such cases and ensure any attempt to exert diplomatic leverage is identified quickly.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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13 Recommendation Rejected
Sixth Report - Stolen years: comba…
On balance, we believe that the MacGregor review’s recommendations do not go far enough and...
On balance, we believe that the MacGregor review’s recommendations do not go far enough and the interests of the affected families and those of the FCDO in securing detainee releases are best served by concentrating responsibility for handling these cases … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the creation of a Director for Arbitrary and Complex Detentions, stating the Foreign Secretary has primacy and they prioritise country-specific expertise and consular best practice, using senior geographic leads and a Director for Consular Services.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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25 Conclusion Rejected
Sixth Report - Stolen years: comba…
The working assumption should be that families are partners who have the potential to be...
The working assumption should be that families are partners who have the potential to be instrumental in the attempts to resolve the detentions. Despite Government assurances, we do not believe that sufficient progress has been made in improving communication with … Read more
Government Response
The government does not agree that a separate post of Director for Arbitrary and Complex Detentions should be established, noting the Foreign Secretary's primacy within Cabinet.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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26 Recommendation Rejected
Sixth Report - Stolen years: comba…
We recommend that unless the detainee expressly withholds consent to do so, the families of...
We recommend that unless the detainee expressly withholds consent to do so, the families of any vulnerable or arbitrary detainee receiving consular assistance be provided by a senior manager or minister in the FCDO at the soonest possible time with … Read more
Government Response
The government does not agree with establishing a separate post of Director for Arbitrary and Complex Detentions, as their approach reflects the Foreign Secretary's primacy within Cabinet and the importance of country-specific expertise and consular best practice.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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30 Conclusion Rejected
Sixth Report - Stolen years: comba…
The Government took longer to repay the IMS Debt than it needed to and the...
The Government took longer to repay the IMS Debt than it needed to and the eventual circumstances under which it was paid were unsatisfactory. We conclude that the only factors which changed and therefore allowed repayment in March 2022 were … Read more
Government Response
The government disputes the committee's characterisation of the IMS debt repayment, stating it was done in compliance with sanctions and that UK-US relations remain close.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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31 Recommendation Rejected
Sixth Report - Stolen years: comba…
The FCDO’s failure to have maintained robust travel advice on the front page of the...
The FCDO’s failure to have maintained robust travel advice on the front page of the website for Iran between 2016 and 2018 is a significant error which may have made UK nationals less safe in Iran and likely other countries … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the importance of travel advice but declines to give tailored advice beyond what is already available, citing a commitment to avoid 'double standards' and directing individuals to existing travel advice resources.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 36 of 21 classified
Accepted 7
Acknowledged 17
Deferred 2
Not Addressed 4
Rejected 6
Total 21 recs + 18 conclusions
Correspondence 4 letters
6 Jul 2023 From committee Letter to the Foreign Secretary relating to the Government Response to the Committee's report: 'Stolen years: combatting state hostage diplomacy', dated 05/07/2023
Parliament page
6 Jul 2023 Correspondence with the Minister for Americas and the Caribbean following the FAC oral evidence session on 13 March 2023, dated 22/05/2023 and 31/03/2023
Parliament page
28 Mar 2023 Correspondence with the Foreign Secretary relating to the Committee's inquiry on the FCDO's approach to state level hostage situations, dated 21/03/2023 and 06/03/2023
Parliament page
8 Sep 2022 Correspondence with the Foreign Secretary relating to the status of Morad Tahbaz's detention, dated 12/08/2022 and 20/07/2022
Parliament page