Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what role Parliament will have in (a) the identification of people liable for sanctions under the new Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime and (b) holding the Government to account on the operation of that regime.

Parliamentarians can continue to engage with the Government on designations via the usual means, including by writing to the Foreign Secretary. All designations will need to meet the legal tests as set out in the Sanctions Act, which includes ensuring designations are underpinned by robust evidence. It is important to note that the sanctions regime is not intended to target individual countries, but those who commit serious human rights violations or abuses anywhere in the world.

As all Government business is accountable to Parliament the operation of the new regime can be scrutinised by Parliamentarians. We will continue to report to Parliament as required under Sections 30 and 32 of the Sanctions Act. Doing so provides Parliament with regular moments where they may scrutinise the actions the Government has taken in respect of human rights sanctions.