Stephen Doughty

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Parliament's party history for this member: Labour (15 Nov 2012 – present).

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1. 28 Oct 2026·Parliament·Stephen Doughty

   The Global Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Sanctions Regulations 2026

   I beg to move, That the Committee has considered the Global Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Sanctions Regulations 2026 (S.I., 2026 No. 1071). It is a pleasure to serve under your chairpersonship, Mr Stringer, and to be with the members of the Committee. The regulations revoke and re-enact with expanded purposes and designations criteria the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020. This statutory instrument was laid on 13 October under powers in the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018. The measures in the instrument are subject to the affirmative procedure in Parliament. They entered into force on 15 October. Since coming to office, the Foreign Secretary has been clear that we will be stronger in our values, bolder in our action and relentless in pursuing alliances with partners in human rights efforts across the world. Sanctions are, of course, a powerful lever that we have to advance our foreign policy goals. When we impose sanctions, we do so to isolate those responsible for violations, to restrict their ability to act and to change their behaviour. We do it to send a clear message, far beyond those whom we target, about the values that the UK will stand up for, and wherever possible we try to do that alongside partners to maximise the impact of any sanctions that we impose. I often talk about the three Ds: deter, disrupt and demonstrate. Those are the principles at the heart of any of our sanctions regimes and of our individual designations under those regimes. The global human rights sanctions regime, now the global human rights and international humanitarian law sanctions regime, is particularly vital in that endeavour. Since the regime began in 2020, the UK has delivered more than 180 designations, and this Government have used the global human rights sanctions regime to tackle issues from forced labour in south-east Asian scam centres to extremist settlers violently attacking Palestinians in the west bank and those responsible for the violent crackdown on protesters in Georgia. The global human rights sanctions regime is not our only tool. We make extensive use of our range of geographic sanctions regimes. For example, on Monday we announced the designation of 15 commanders on both sides of the conflict in Sudan who are suspected of perpetrating or inciting heinous atrocities against civilians, in particular conflict-related sexual violence. As we mark the anniversary of the horror that we saw after the fall of El Fasher, those designations remind perpetrators <span id="4" class="column-number" data-column-number="4"></span>of atrocities that the international community is watching and that their actions will have consequences. There is no impunity. Those recent designations were only possible, however, because our Sudan sanctions regime, our geographic regime, permits designations on the grounds of violations of international humanitarian law. Before we laid this instrument before the House, the Government did not have the flexibility to respond in this fashion to similar atrocities and situations taking place in countries for which we did not happen to have a geographic sanctions regime. Now we do. As the Minister with responsibility for sanctions for the past two and a bit years, it has been a frustration at times that when we have wanted to take action in different places, we have not had the powers to do so. We now have those powers. That was a commitment that the Government made. These things take time to put into practice, as I am sure the Committee understands, but we now have the powers. They will allow us to act in a wider range of circumstances to have that impact of deterring, disrupting and demonstrating. The new instrument expands our ability to stand up for our values and to tackle injustice and suffering around the world in other ways. The expanded regime addresses a broader range of human rights abuses and violations by adding the right to security of liberty and person, and it gives the Government powers to respond with sanctions when aid, for example, has been deliberately prevented from reaching civilian populations. With your indulgence, Mr Stringer, I will now turn to each measure in the regulations in more detail. To be clear, first, this is a strong enhancement of our existing powers. The global human rights sanctions regime gave us the ability to use sanctions where there were reasonable grounds to suspect serious violations or abuse of the right to life, the right not to be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and the right to be free from slavery and not to be held in servitude or required to perform forced or compulsory labour. I assure the Committee that the amended regulations allow all pre-existing sanctions imposed under the powers that we had to remain in force, and they give a powerful set of levers to respond to a broader range of situations. The expanded sanctions regime now allows designations to be made in the first case where there are reasonable grounds to suspect serious violations of international humanitarian law. This will strengthen the United Kingdom’s ability to respond to serious conduct that arises during armed conflicts, such as the targeting or mistreatment of civilians, where international humanitarian law provides the most relevant legal framework. As the Foreign Secretary set out to Parliament on 8 September, when he committed to laying the regulations, this legislation gives the UK powers to target those constructing illegal Israeli settlements in the west bank, for example, and those who are participating in the E1 settlement. Of course, this allows us to act in a wide range of circumstances. Secondly, on the right to liberty and security of person, the previous version of the regime permitted designations where there were reasonable grounds to suspect serious violations to the right to life, the right not to be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and the right to be free from slavery and not to be held in servitude or required to perform forced or compulsory labour. The <span id="5" class="column-number" data-column-number="5"></span>regulations now add the right to liberty and security of person to that list, ensuring that under this regime we have the powers to act and better address issues such as arbitrary detention and related conduct, which I am sure the Committee will agree is an important power for us to take. The next area where we have expanded the powers is in relation to the obstruction of humanitarian assistance. The new sanctions regime adds a new ground of the obstruction of the delivery or distribution of, or access to, humanitarian assistance. In addition, it reflects the serious humanitarian consequences that can result when aid is deliberately prevented from reaching civilian populations. I am sure we can think of many horrendous examples of this in a whole range of current situations, including those that Members of this House—indeed, Members present for this Committee—regularly raise with me and other Ministers. The regulations give us that new power. Lastly, the amended regime adds the power to designate by description, meaning that the UK can designate where a specific name is not available and capture all members of a specific group or organisation, allowing greater flexibility and reach under the regime. This provision allows us to target a greater range of actors who may be responsible for these violations and to take action against them.

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2. 28 Oct 2026·Parliament·Stephen Doughty

   The Global Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Sanctions Regulations 2026

   I can give the hon. Gentleman a very specific example, although—for the sake of argument—it is one that could actually be done under the existing powers. It is one that colleagues may perhaps be less familiar with, but it is very important and has had a very significant impact. The example is the actions taken in relation to south-east Asian scam centres, which is an issue that has a direct impact on the streets of this country, with people being defrauded and having money taken off them. People are also effectively being held in servitude in these centres in south-east Asia. Not only did we disrupt these networks through the designation, but we actually deterred further action. We also encouraged other countries involved to take domestic action with their own legal processes. That is a very clear example of the two purposes that the hon. Gentleman asked about. To conclude, the regulations provide the Government vital new powers with which to stand up for British values and respond to serious human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law around the globe. At this stage, we are not making specific designations, which will come in due course. As Members will know, I do not comment on future designations or when they may come about, but we clearly take powers for the purpose of using them. These regulations give us a new set of tools and levers in our armoury to respond, in a range of contexts, to some of the worst atrocities and violations of the principles that we stand up for in this country, which it is important to emphasise. I commend the regulations to the Committee.<span id="6" class="column-number" data-column-number="6"></span>

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3. 28 Oct 2026·Parliament·Stephen Doughty

   The Global Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Sanctions Regulations 2026

   I certainly would, Mr Stringer. I thank Members for their support for these regulations and for their powerful and passionate speeches, in which they set out a wide range of concerns and issues about how the sanctions regimes can be used effectively and about the circumstances in which we may choose to use them. I never tire of saying that we do not comment on future designations, but I assure Members that I have heard clearly the themes and examples that they raised. They should always feel free—as should other organisations—to make representations and provide evidence and information. <span id="16" class="column-number" data-column-number="16"></span>I am not able to say how we will use it, but it will be gratefully received. It is hugely impactful when the Government are deciding which designations to make and which will have the biggest impact. Ultimately, that is what we are trying to do. I think we have a reasonable amount of time, so I will respond to as many of the comments as I can. I thank the hon. Member for Exmouth and Exeter East for his comments, and I am grateful that the Opposition will not oppose these regulations. He asked a number of questions about the way in which we decide a designation and how we ensure that the process is fair and proportionate, and that it follows due process and so on. I assure him that the process is incredibly rigorous—it has to be, because the designations and regulations have to be able to withstand challenge, both in this place and in the courts. It is reassuring that our sanction regimes, which are broad and encompass many thousands of designations, have survived the challenge that they have rightly been subjected to through due process in the courts. That is a reflection of the effort that is put into ensuring the lawfulness, proportionality and accuracy of the evidence. There are a number of processes. The hon. Member for Exmouth and Exeter East asked about review and how we ensure that things are done in the right way. We have a ministerial review process and reviews by officials—most designations go to Ministers. We do occasionally revoke or vary designations if it is found that we have made a mistake or if there is evidence of a significant change of behaviour, and therefore the regulation is not needed. It is also important that we look at compliance and enforcement. I took on that issue substantially when I became the Minister in 2024, and I have worked with colleagues across Government. Multiple Departments are responsible for ensuring good compliance and enforcement. Part of that is working with businesses, the legal sector and those who might be impacted by sanctions. Ultimately, they are responsible for complying with the law, but we want to ensure that they have the right information.

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4. 28 Oct 2026·Parliament·Stephen Doughty

   The Global Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Sanctions Regulations 2026

   There are two points. First, we already have in place action to improve how we do enforcement and work across Departments, which came in as a result of the review. Those are now being taken forward and are having a significant and successful impact on the information we give externally on how people can report breaches and the information we provide to businesses, legal advisers and others to ensure compliance. The hon. Member for Exmouth and Exeter East asked more broadly about consistency across topics and geographies. The existing regime had already been used for south-east Asia, Sri Lanka, the west bank, the designation of Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, Georgia—there are many examples. Of course, this is one part of our overall sanctions regulations. I am conscious that my right hon. Friend the Member for Oxford East was involved in the previous legislation. There are many different regimes—geographic and thematic—under that legislation. They are all tools in the armoury and we are <span id="17" class="column-number" data-column-number="17"></span>using them in a wide range of geographic and thematic contexts. Should the hon. Member or any other colleagues want more detailed briefings with officials on how the process is working, I am very happy at any point to arrange that. I have greatly valued the cross-party input on these issues. We have had a number of sessions with our detailed technical teams. The hon. Member also asked a question about the new power on designation by description and how that is used effectively. It provides additional flexibility in circumstances where we cannot possibly identify every relevant person individually by name. Similar powers exist elsewhere in the sanctions architecture, but of course any use of the power would have to meet the requirements in the legislation; it does not remove the need for designations to satisfy statutory tests. That is absolutely right and is how we maintain the legitimacy and functioning of the overall sanctions regime. Colleagues have made many helpful comments. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool Riverside (Kim Johnson), who raised an important issue on the detention of children. She has rightfully spoken out about many harrowing cases, which I am also aware of. We are horrified by the reports of mistreatment or abuse of children in detention, many reportedly without charge for months. Children must always be protected—I am sure we would all absolutely agree—and we have called repeatedly on the Israeli authorities to investigate urgently. I cannot comment on future designations, but my hon. Friend can be assured that this is an issue that we take incredibly seriously. I am very happy to discuss that further with her and other colleagues, a number of whom also raised the issue. My hon. Friend also asked about how we use evidence. She will appreciate that I cannot always go into the process—she will understand why—but I assure her that evidence is considered absolutely rigorously. We have to satisfy through our own tests, because ultimately it is evidence that has to satisfy courts if necessary, if designations are challenged. It is an incredibly rigorous process. I will be quite honest: I know there is sometimes frustration about the speed of these processes, but it is the question of balancing speed against the solidity of our designations and our regimes, and ensuring that they stand the test of time and the test of the courts. We will keep Parliament informed, as we do regularly, on specific designations that we choose to make under these new expanded powers. We will, of course, keep colleagues informed. My hon. Friend the Member for Oldham East and Saddleworth (Debbie Abrahams) asked a range of questions and made very passionate points about the situation in Palestine, including why we did not include some of these powers in the original legislation, given the much wider range of abuses that we are aware of. The original regime was introduced under a previous Government, but my understanding is that, as we were developing our new sanctions regime after Brexit from scratch, it had not yet been tested by the courts and we wanted to make sure that what we did was effective and was going to stand up; that is why some of the original powers were perhaps narrower than we all wanted to see. I am really pleased with how they have been welcomed, and we are now expanding, taking more powers and encompassing a wider range of issues.

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5. 28 Oct 2026·Parliament·Stephen Doughty

   The Global Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Sanctions Regulations 2026

   This point was made by a number of hon. Members. I assure them that our position on settlements is very clear: they are all unlawful, they are all illegal and the occupation is unlawful. That will guide our approach. I will not get into the specifics, but my hon. Friend can be assured that our view is about all settlements. There is obviously a particular challenge, which a number of Members raised and which we accept, about the E1 project and the expansion and particular actions that are going on at the moment. Again, I thank her for her work on the Britain-Palestine APPG. A number of Members asked why we have not yet announced any designations to prevent the development of E1. We have tried to move as fast as we can with these new powers. Members will note that we set out on 8 September that we will be introducing a specific settlement and a trade-related regime; that will take longer, but it is important to get these powers in place now. Hopefully, with the permission of this Committee and the other place, we will have the powers secure and in place. I will not comment on when we might choose to use them or how, but I am conscious of the specific things that are going on. I want to assure colleagues that we are building designations and we will ensure that they are effective as part of a wider strategy that is aimed at isolating, restricting and changing behaviour of those targeting, and sending a clear message about our position on this. I can also assure colleagues that the fact that we have announced these measures is already impacting on behaviour. I say this very sincerely: I hope it is focusing the minds of those who might consider being involved in the expansion of these illegal settlements, particularly the E1 project. We—the Foreign Secretary, the Prime Minister and I—have sent a clear message. Businesses and others, including those in the provision of services, should hear that message and heed it, because we will not be hesitating to act. I also want to assure colleagues that although the Foreign Secretary was very clear that the wider sanctions regime may take six to nine months, we will be seeking every opportunity to accelerate that while ensuring that it is properly viable and has a very strong legal basis. I thank the Liberal Democrat spokesperson, the hon. Member for Esher and Walton, again for her contribution, for welcoming the legislation, and for her passion but also her challenge. We welcome that scrutiny; it is good to be able to work cross-party on these regulations. I already commended my right hon. Friend the Member for Oxford East for her work on SAML Bill, and she rightly pointed out others who have stood up on a range of regimes—Sir Bill Browder, Baron Benyon and others. Across the House there have been many strong advocates for powers to act in a wide range of circumstances, and I am glad that we are taking more powers. I thank her for welcoming the measures we announced in relation to El Fasher. The Minister for Africa, my hon. Friend the Member for Midlothian (Kirsty McNeill), spoke passionately yesterday about some of the testimony she heard about the horrors that were seen in El Fasher. I assure my right hon. Friend the Member for Oxford <span id="19" class="column-number" data-column-number="19"></span>East that we are resolutely focused on preventing a further deterioration of the situation in Sudan. She rightly mentioned South Sudan as well, and we will be looking at every single way in which we can do that, including through sanctions and designation regimes. She quite rightly pointed out a way in which our regime has already had an impact on a particular individual. The right hon. Member for North West Hampshire asked a particular question about citizens. I will make sure we write to with a technical answer to that. He asked when the sanctions will happen, but I am afraid that I cannot reveal that in the Committee today. I assure him that we do not take powers without intending to use them, and a range of measures will be laid before the House in due course, and I hope that Members will be reassured when they see them. They will apply to a wide range of contexts, a number of which have been mentioned today. I appreciate that those who provide information or raise concerns want an explanation why things are decided or not and about consistency; the right hon. Gentleman will understand that we do not normally put forward legal advice, individual circumstances and why we make a decision. I can tell him that we are always looking, within the constraints of resource and legal capacity, and there is a huge amount invested in this in the Department. We have ensured that that is protected and further invested in. We also want to have the biggest impact. There are many thousands of people I want to take sanctions action on every single day, but I want to have the biggest impact that disrupts, deters and changes the behaviour of the actors that we are seeking to influence. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford East (Imran Hussain) for welcoming these regulations and for referencing the Government’s wider policies on settler violence and terrorism in the west bank. I assure him that it will not just be sanctions; we are taking every action we can, including raising concerns directly with the Israeli Government. We have been very clear that the settlements are unlawful, and so is the occupation. We also made it clear that we will be taking action on services and on those obstructing aid, and that action can apply in a wide range of contexts. I have already referred to the detention issues that I think horrify Committee members. My hon. Friend the Member for Leeds East (Richard Burgon) asked specifically what counts as a serious violation of international humanitarian law. International humanitarian law seeks to limit the effects of armed conflict to protect people who are not or are no longer participating in hostilities, which colleagues will know, and to limit the methods and means of warfare. The principles of distinction, proportionality and military necessity are central to IHL. Those familiar with the Geneva conventions and other parts of international humanitarian law will know that well. The expanded regime allows us to take action where we have reasonable grounds to suspect that serious violations of international humanitarian law have taken <span id="20" class="column-number" data-column-number="20"></span>place. A designation can be made where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that—that is the key point here. Obviously, this is a lower standard than would be applied in a civil or criminal court, and that gives us the necessary latitude to act robustly, where we have very clear evidence that that is taking place. I hope that that helps my hon. Friend. I think that I have answered my hon. Friend’s questions about settlements and obstruction. He also asked about resources. I want to praise the fantastic teams in the FCDO who work on these issues; they are incredible. They work night and day to ensure not only that we can respond to developing situations and challenges, but that the designations we make are evidence-based, proportional and lawful and can stand the test of scrutiny. That requires an immense amount of very detailed, technical work, which colleagues will appreciate. I thank them every day for their work and the genuinely very substantial impact that it has. I can scarcely believe that it has been 14 years since my hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East (Andy McDonald) and I first came into this place—the anniversary is in a couple of weeks’ time. He has been an assiduous champion of these issues throughout his time in this House, and I thank him for his work on the Britain-Palestine APPG. He shared and reflected on powerful testimony from non-governmental and humanitarian organisations, and he spoke of issues relating to delays in medical supplies, diagnostics and so on. I absolutely assure him that all that evidence is the sort of thing that informs who we choose to act on. He also raised the issue of services, and we have made it clear that we will take action on that. I am very confident that the fact we have announced the measures is already having a deterrent effect, but people should be in no doubt that we will seek to act against specific individuals and organisations. My hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool West Derby (Ian Byrne) spoke with great passion and raised specific issues around charities. He will know that regulation of charities is for the Charity Commission, but we do look at these matters very seriously, and he will be aware of a number of ongoing investigations and processes. I thank all colleagues for their comprehensive contributions. It is incredibly helpful for the Government to have heard them and to have that genuine scrutiny and challenge; it helps us to effectively develop and expand these regimes. We are acting on the basis of our values and because we want to see impact. I assure colleagues that further measures will be laid before the House in due course. I again thank all Committee members, and I commend the regulations to the Committee. <em>Question put and agreed to.</em> <em>Resolved,</em> That the Committee has considered the Global Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Sanctions Regulations 2026 (S.I., 2026 No. 1071).

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6. 27 Oct 2026·Parliament·Stephen Doughty

   Iran: Uranium Enrichment

   We have raised the UK’s serious concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme, and that includes the Foreign Secretary raising it directly with Foreign Minister Araghchi. Iran has accumulated over 400 kg of uranium enriched to 60%—a level that goes beyond any credible civilian justification. Iran’s ongoing lack of International Atomic Energy Agency co-operation led us, together with 22 countries, to vote to report Iran to the UN Security Council for its continued non-compliance and refusal to allow inspectors access. A negotiated solution remains the way to address Iran’s nuclear programme, and we are working with partners on that.

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7. 27 Oct 2026·Parliament·Stephen Doughty

   Iran: Uranium Enrichment

   With the greatest respect, the Foreign Secretary raised very serious concerns at the highest levels about Iran’s nuclear programme and a series of other issues, just as previous Foreign Secretaries—including many Conservative ones—have raised serious concerns directly with Iran. We are absolutely clear: Iran must never have a nuclear weapon. We are committed to working with others to ensure that it does not.

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8. 27 Oct 2026·Parliament·Stephen Doughty

   Afghanistan: Support for Women and Girls

   We are all deeply alarmed by the systematic discrimination and exclusion of women and girls from public life, education, employment and decision making in Afghanistan. That is why we are providing £105 million a year to support the Afghan people, and our aid reached 5 million Afghans last year, including 3 million women and girls. We continue to press the Taliban directly on women’s rights, and we work through our international partnerships to raise these important issues.

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9. 27 Oct 2026·Parliament·Stephen Doughty

   Afghanistan: Support for Women and Girls

   We engage with a wide range of experts on these issues, and I would certainly welcome a chance to discuss these matters with the academics the hon. Lady references, but I can absolutely assure her that the Department engages with a huge range of civil society and expert organisations. That is very important in informing our work on these issues.

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10. 27 Oct 2026·Parliament·Stephen Doughty

    Afghanistan: Support for Women and Girls

    The Chair of the Select Committee is a long-standing champion on these issues, even before her time chairing the Committee, and she and I have discussed these issues on many occasions. We always welcome a conversation with her about these matters, and I am sure that the Minister for International Development, who has responsibility for Africa, and indeed the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Bridgend (Chris Elmore), who works on preventing sexual violence, would be happy to sit down and discuss these issues with her.

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