Corporate report

Human rights priority countries: ministerial statement, January to June 2019

Published 22 October 2019

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

In June, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) published the 2018 Human Rights and Democracy Report, providing an assessment of the global human rights situation, and giving details of the UK Government’s work to advance human rights. As well as covering our thematic, consular and programme work on human rights, the report focused on the 30 countries where we are particularly concerned about human rights issues, and where we consider that the UK can make a real difference.

This statement provides an updated assessment of the 30 priority countries from 1 January to 30 June 2019. The 30 human rights priority countries are: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Burundi, Central African Republic, China, Colombia, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Libya, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Yemen and Zimbabwe.

Areas of improvement

There have been some areas of improvement during the first half of 2019. The human rights situation in Maldives is on a positive trajectory for the first time in many years. Following the election of President Solih last year, the new government has started to deliver a reform agenda of significant ambition, including the establishment of Presidential Commissions on murders, enforced disappearances and corruption. Discriminatory laws, or laws benefiting vested political interests, are under review. Several political prisoners have been released, and politicians forced into exile have returned. Civil society activists and the media say they are free to report openly on politics, crime, and social issues without intimidation or limitation for the first time in several years.

Uzbekistan has taken some positive steps to improve the human rights situation during the reporting period, with President Mirziyoev continuing to drive reform. Progress has been made in the judiciary, and on forced labour. On media freedom, Uzbekistan continues to show a desire to improve at the political level (up to and including the President), lifting bans on a number of media websites (including BBC Uzbek), giving formal accreditation to the BBC, and sending a large delegation to the Global Conference on Media Freedom in London in July. Freedom of expression, including freedom of the media, is improving, albeit inconsistently. We remain concerned about LGBT rights limits on political association, a lack of reform implementation, failure to tackle corruption adequately, and the lack of due process and mistreatment while in detention – in particular lack of access to lawyers and medical care.

Areas of deterioration

The human rights situation declined significantly in a number of countries during the first half of 2019. Against a background of the deepening political and socio-economic crisis, Venezuela continues to endure grave, systemic, and widespread human rights violations. The complex humanitarian emergency has caused death, illness, hunger, and mass migration, which is jeopardising regional stability. Over 20 MPs have been jailed or forced to hide or flee the country, as the government-controlled Supreme Court stripped them of their parliamentary immunity. According to the NGO Foro Penal, there are at least 582 political prisoners, and over 8,700 people arbitrarily detained; high profile cases include first Vice-President of the National Assembly, Edgardo Zambrano (who was recently released from prison, but remained subject to strict conditions and continuing investigation), and Juan Guaidó’s Chief of Staff, Roberto Marrero. A recent report from the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights supported assessments from Amnesty International that “there are cases of ill-treatment and torture of people who are critical of the regime or are considered a threat”. The UN report also confirmed the use of sexual and gender-based violence in detention centres, and the excessive use of force by security forces during demonstrations.

The overall human rights situation in Pakistan continues to deteriorate, despite the government’s commitment to tangible delivery on human rights. There have been some positive developments, notably the Supreme Court’s January judgement upholding the acquittal of Asia Bibi of blasphemy. This was a welcome positive step, as was the issuing of thousands of visas to Indian Sikhs, allowing them to make the sacred pilgrimage journey to Pakistan following the opening of the India/Pakistan Kartarpur Corridor at the end of last year. There has also been some progress at the federal level on death penalty reform. However, there have been worrying developments with regard to civic space and freedom of expression, including threats and intimidation towards journalists. Critics of the Pakistani authorities, including opposition leaders, have been forced off air and are unable to express opinions through social media. NGOs have experienced threats, harassment, and state interference. The situation for religious minorities continues to be very challenging and deeply concerning, with widespread intolerance, violence, and discrimination, including against Christians, Ahmadis, Hindus, and Shias.

In Bangladesh, the year began with widespread concerns about the conduct of the parliamentary elections on 30 December 2018. The ruling Awami League and its allies emerged with 96% cent of parliamentary seats from a process marred by clear intimidation and vote rigging. In January, the EU and others called on the authorities to ensure a proper examination of allegations of irregularities and to commit to full transparency when resolving them, but very little has been done. There have been further reports of extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances, while opposition figures and outspoken critics of government have endured harassment.

Bangladesh continues to be affected by the crisis in neighbouring Rakhine State in Myanmar. Around 1 million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh remain stateless and reliant on assistance provided by the Government of Bangladesh and the international community. The security situation is worsening in the Cox’s Bazar refugee camps, where there have been reports of murder, gender-based violence, abduction, illegal drug trading, and human trafficking. Some 32 Rohingya have been murdered inside the camps this year. The Government of Bangladesh is working to contain the situation, with additional police stations and limited night-time patrols by mixed gender security forces. The UN is bolstering the rule of law, including through supporting community policing.

In Myanmar, 600,000 Rohingya (128,000 of whom are in camps) continue to face severe restrictions and ongoing persecution, and are denied basic citizen rights as well as severe restrictions such as freedom of movement, religion or belief, or access to education and healthcare. In April, a Tatmadaw helicopter attack killed at least six civilians and injured 13. Those in the camps also face the threat of human trafficking; in May, at least 23 Rohingya girls were rescued from human traffickers. There have been consistent reports of the widespread and systematic use of sexual violence against Rohingya women and girls, including mass rape, as well as other forms of sexual violence primarily against women and girls, but also against men and boys.

In Rakhine, Kachin, and Shan states, human rights violations continue to occur in Myanmar’s decades-long civil war. Civilians in conflict areas are targeted with arbitrary detention and torture: since December at least 71 civilians have died (including 11 women and 8 children), of whom 15 were in Tatmadaw custody. A government shutdown of mobile internet in 9 townships in Rakhine and Chin States from 21 June has further limited freedom of expression, access to humanitarian aid, and the scrutiny of security forces. The use of legislation to restrict freedom of expression has increased. Currently over 300 social and political activists, including journalists, are facing lawsuits under laws covering online defamation, peaceful assembly and procession, and unlawful association, and under Section 505 of the Penal Code on malicious communications.

Sri Lanka has experienced heightened inter-communal tensions, including in the wake of the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks; further delays in the passing of human rights compliant counter-terrorism legislation; and a stalled transitional justice process. Reactions to the Easter attacks and impending Presidential elections may further slow positive change. We are also concerned by growing challenges around media freedom, including online threats and disinformation, and by the potential implementation of the death penalty we have raised all of these issues directly.

The human rights situation in Iran has deteriorated. The regime appears to be increasingly targeting those whom it sees as a threat, with arrests of academics, artists and dual-nationals on vague political security charges. Arbitrary detention and mistreatment in detention continue. Access to justice is severely constrained. Harassment and imprisonment of human rights lawyers is increasing, and appears to follow political motivations rather than an independent and impartial criminal justice process. There have been around 116 executions so far this year, including the execution of 2 minors in April.

Human rights in Burundi continue on a downward trend as the country heads towards Presidential elections in May 2020. The ruling party CNDD-FDD continues to act with impunity and the political space continues to tighten. The ruling party’s youth league, the Imbonerakure, continues its involvement in illegal activities including arms smuggling, extortion from local communities and extra-judicial killings. Media freedom is declining, with the BBC’s operating licence revoked by the Government of Burundi, amid a broader environment of media suppression. There continues to be a risk of violations, including suppression of opposition political parties, in the run-up to the elections in 2020.

In Sudan, peaceful protesters calling for political and economic change were met with extreme force both by security forces of the Bashir regime before April, and thereafter under the ‘Transitional Military Council’ rule. Estimates put the number killed at over 100, with many more injured and arbitrarily detained. Of particular concern were the events around 3 June, when security forces attacked protestors and dispersed a peaceful mass sit-in protest in Khartoum. Restrictions on freedom of expression, the media, and individual journalists continued. While restrictions on Christian school opening days were dropped in January, there are ongoing challenges to Freedom of Religion or Belief, including public order and guardianship laws, which have a disproportionate effect on Christian women.

Since the reporting period, the UK has welcomed the political agreement in Sudan, which provides for a political transition to civilian rule. We have further welcomed the appointment of civilian Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, public commitments to change and reform, and the announcement of an independent committee of inquiry into crimes committed during the transitional period. We are hopeful that the recent political progress will provide an opportunity for positive advances on longstanding human rights challenges. In Zimbabwe, 2019 has seen a sharp increase in reported human rights violations. The majority relate to the heavy-handed security sector response to the January fuel protests, which led to at least 17 deaths, sexual and physical assaults, and over a thousand arrests across Zimbabwe for inciting public violence and other related charges. To date, no one has been held accountable for the deaths of demonstrators. Over 20 opposition and civil society members have been charged with treason since January. In addition, abductions and assaults of opposition figures have continued with impunity. The Government of Zimbabwe has committed to repealing oppressive unconstitutional legislation and to implementing the recommendations of the Motlanthe commission into the violence in August 2018, but we have yet to see any definitive progress.

Countries of continued concern

The UK remains concerned about the human rights situation in a number of other countries where the situation has not changed significantly during the reporting period.

The human rights situation in Russia remains bleak. NGOs, independent media, minorities and non-traditional groups face pressure, while freedoms of assembly, expression, and religion or belief continue to be undermined. But pressure for change is slowly growing. 2019 began with Vladimir Putin announcing the relaxation of a social media law that had led to people being charged for re-posting content critical of the government. But freedom of expression remains limited. Two new laws, on fake news and on insulting officials, give the state the power to take down websites and charge people for criticising officials, and the authorities are exploring ways to increase state control over the internet.

January saw further reports of the persecution of the LGBT community in Chechnya. The UK led a statement at the UN in Geneva calling for action, signed by 32 countries. LGBT activists continue to face pressure, including bomb threats against an LGBT film festival in Moscow. But there have been isolated positive signs. In April a transgender woman in St. Petersburg won an employment tribunal case and local activists in Ekaterinburg persuaded local courts to issue fines in June for homophobic comments on social media.

The human rights situation in China had significantly deteriorated during 2018, and while in the first half of 2019, the situation did not notably deteriorate further, severe pressures on civil and political rights continued. Islam and Uyghur culture continued to face significant restrictions. In Xinjiang over a million Uyghurs and members of other minorities have been extra-judicially interned. The first half of 2019 saw the start of Chinese efforts actively and publicly to present the measures in Xinjiang as proportionate and necessary to combat extremism and terrorism. We judge that China’s policies in Xinjiang risk increasing ethnic tensions in the long term. More broadly, we are concerned about growing restrictions on freedom of religion or belief in China, including reports that authorities are tightening control over how certain religions are practised. Media freedom and access to information is reducing, with more foreign websites blocked in the first half of the year. Over 100 journalists were reportedly in detention, and activists report being forced to delete their Twitter accounts.

There was no improvement in the dire human rights situation in DPRK, which is 179th out of 180 in the Reporters without Borders World Press Freedom Index, top of Open Doors’ annual ranking of the 50 countries where Christians experience extreme persecution, and top of the Global Slavery Index. The regime continues to exercise total control over freedom of expression and Freedom of Religion or Belief. State media is the only permitted source of information. Although there are modest signs of progress in some areas, notably disability rights and girls’ education, deep concerns remain over the treatment of vulnerable groups, including prisoners, women and girls. DPRK did engage with the Universal Periodic Review process in May 2019, but continues to reject UN resolutions on human rights issues and the role of the Special Rapporteur on DPRK Human Rights.

The human rights situation in Syria remains of extreme concern. The regime, backed by Russia, has continued its grave violations of international humanitarian law, particularly during the ongoing offensive in Idlib. Human rights violations and abuses continue with impunity. These include arbitrary detentions, torture, enforced disappearance, sexual violence (including in regime sites of detention), summary execution, extensive use of the death penalty, and severe restrictions on civil and political rights, including media freedoms. The Assad regime is the primary perpetrator, but abuses have also been committed by Daesh and other proscribed terrorist organisations. Refugees, including those returning to Syria, and internally displaced persons continue to experience violations of their human rights, including in relation to their housing, land, and property. This context, combined with widespread insecurity and lawlessness, means that safe, voluntary, and dignified refugee returns are a long way off.

Overall, the human rights situation in Bahrain in the first half of 2019 saw little change. Bahrain remained the only Arab state to have reached, and retained for the second year, Tier 1 status in the US State Department annual Trafficking in Persons Report, achieved only by governments which fully comply with the minimum standards of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Freedom of Religion or Belief in Bahrain is legally protected in society. Although there is more to be done, EU Special Envoy Jan Figel earlier this year observed that religions are not just tolerated but readily accepted by Bahraini society. Good work is being conducted by the domestic oversight bodies in Bahrain – the Interior Ministry Ombudsman, National Security Agency Ombudsman, Special Investigations Unit, and the National Institute for Human Rights. Bahrain is taking forward alternative sentencing for certain offences, a positive development which the UK has been supporting. But challenges remain, such as broadening eligibility, and the availability of alternative sentence work placements. There is a continuing lack of media diversity, with the timing and detail of planned legislation to provide additional protections for journalists remaining vague. Geographic restrictions on the right to demonstrate peacefully remain in place. Allegations continue to be made by political opposition groups, including those based in Iran, of arbitrary arrest and detention, which are attracting robust parliamentary and UK media interest. We continue to monitor these cases closely, and to engage with ministers from the Government of Bahrain to address these concerns.

Overall, Iraq’s human rights situation has improved now that Daesh has been territorially defeated. Civilian deaths have reduced significantly from the height of Daesh occupation, with overall violence lower than at any time from 2004 to 2017. However, Daesh still poses a threat as an active insurgency, including by perpetrating indiscriminate terrorist attacks. Allegations of sporadic violations by the Iraqi security forces, including by the Popular Mobilisation Forces, continue and are rarely investigated. Reports of forced returns of internally displaced persons are particularly worrying The conditions in which individuals and communities associated with Daesh are being held show no signs of improvement. The use of torture and of the death penalty continue to be significant concerns. Members of minority groups, women and girls remain particularly vulnerable. In a positive step, Iraqi President Salih is bringing bills to parliament to combat domestic violence, and to rehabilitate Yezidi women following Daesh atrocities, whose scope parliament has requested should be widened to include all female survivors of Daesh violence.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification programme continues to offer increased opportunities for women’s economic participation, in the context of a general loosening of social restrictions in the Kingdom. There has been a significant improvement in respect for women’s rights in divorce and custody cases. The Saudi leadership has also given positive messages about a return to a moderate Islam, tolerant of other faiths. After the reporting period, there has been a significant reform of the guardianship system, which will be covered in the 2019 FCO Annual Human Rights & Democracy Report.

However, the clampdown on political space in Saudi Arabia continues. Freedom of expression and of the media remain highly restricted. Most of those arrested in the political clampdown since September 2017 remain in detention. Around 20 Women’s Rights Defenders were arrested in 2018. 12 are now on trial and seven have been released on bail. Reports of torture have increased since September 2017, including of some of the Women’s Rights Defenders emerged in November 2018. The Saudi judicial system lacks transparency; diplomats and NGO representatives are not routinely given access to trials. We aim to attend all trial sessions, and to press for the unconditional release of all Women’s Rights Defenders. Use of the death penalty is increasing, with 134 executions to the end of July 2019, compared with 149 during the whole of 2018. In April, 37 people, nearly all of whom were Shia, were executed in the first mass execution since 2016. The UK raised serious concerns about these executions at all levels. The UK takes a leading role on human rights in the Kingdom through advocacy and engagement at Ministerial and senior official level, and through project work.

The trial for those accused of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi is ongoing. The UK attends the trial as part of a group of international observers. The UK has continued to call for all those found responsible to be held fully accountable, for a transparent and credible judicial process, and for steps to be taken that ensure that this type of incident could never happen again.

The first 6 months of 2019 saw continued violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in the context of Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian Territories of the West Bank and Gaza. Settlement advancements and increasing rates of demolition were particularly worrying. Settlements impinge on many aspects of Palestinian life. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has highlighted the extensive impact of settlements on Palestinians, concluding that settlements are fundamentally threatening the Palestinians’ right to self-determination, alongside many other human rights. There were continued human rights abuses by the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, including mistreatment of prisoners; and by Hamas, the de facto authority in Gaza, including suppression of political freedoms.

The human rights situation in Egypt remains challenging: areas of concern in the first half of 2019 included the closure of political space, restrictions on media freedom, prison conditions, and restricted access to justice. Opposition figures and journalists were arrested on terrorism charges, numerous independent and international news sites remained blocked, and prisoners continued to face restrictions on family visits and on medical care. We are also concerned about the impact of restrictive press regulations, which have resulted in the shutting down of media outlets and the denial of accreditation to foreign media. The Egyptian state continued to show no tolerance for expressions of political opposition. On 25 June, at least eight people – including opposition figures and journalists – were arrested on terrorism charges after they planned to launch a new political coalition. In a more positive move, following wide public consultation a new NGO law was drafted in the first half of the year to replace the restrictive 2017 law. Modest progress continued to be made on Freedom of Religion or Belief; President Sisi inaugurated the largest cathedral in the Middle East on 6 January, and there was continued progress on licensing church buildings under Egypt’s Church Building Law.

The human rights situation in Libya remains a cause for concern. The recent conflict has exacerbated the problem, particularly with regard to civilian casualties. We remain determined that those responsible for violations should be held to account. There are reports of migrants and refugees in detention being subjected to serious sexual abuse, and allegations of torture and physical abuse continue. Many detention centres have deplorable records. Sexual and gender-based violence, and severe restrictions on freedom of association, freedom of the media, and Freedom of Religion or Belief, are areas of particular concern.

Violations and abuses of human rights persist across Yemen and include recruitment of child soldiers, arbitrary detention, restrictions on Freedom of Religion or Belief, torture, and girls’ lack of access to education. In some areas the situation is getting worse. We are particularly concerned by high rates of recruitment of children into armed conflict, and religious persecution of the Baha’i community in Houthi-controlled areas. The legitimate government has made efforts to take human rights seriously, and a political settlement to the conflict will create the conditions for the government to promote and protect the human rights of all Yemenis. However, the overall human rights situation remains deeply worrying.

In Africa, the peace accord signed in Central African Republic in February has provided a framework for the reduction of violence and some assimilation of combatants into governing structures. While implementation of the peace accord has been slow, with armed groups continuing to control 80% of the country’s territory, the total number of human rights violations and abuses has steadily declined for 6 months according to the peacekeeping force, MINUSCA. Nevertheless, the human rights situation remains deeply concerning, and it is too early to tell whether the decrease in violations and abuses since the peace accord is sustainable.

The human rights situation in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been influenced by President Tshisekedi’s efforts to deliver on his inauguration promises to improve respect for fundamental freedoms, drive peacebuilding, and reduce impunity. His first 6 months have seen some progress, including enhanced political freedom, prisoner releases, and a commitment to tackle modern slavery. Despite these initial signs, DRC’s human rights record remains extremely concerning. While the UN Joint Human Rights Office reports that violations and abuses were down 9% compared with January to June 2018, they were still 8% higher compared with 2017. State agents remain the principal perpetrators.

Despite the peace agreement with Ethiopia and lifting of sanctions, human rights improvements have been limited in Eritrea, as the country has prioritised economic reform and regional relations. Progress on security and prosperity is helping to remove obstacles to constructive conversations on human rights. The UK’s ongoing concerns include the use of arbitrary detention as a means of suppression, and the indefinite system of national service. Since the peace agreement, reform of national service has been widely expected, but the lack of progress to date has led to growing dissent inside and outside the country, and to further repressive behaviour.

The human rights situation in Somalia remains challenging but there have been small steps in the right direction. The Federal Government of Somalia is increasingly conscious of the need to observe its international human rights obligations, but its ability to implement initiatives beyond Mogadishu is limited, and the passage of relevant legislation, including a sexual offences bill, has been held up in parliament. Al-Shabaab’s insurgency and clan-related violence continue to cause human rights abuses that are among the worst in the world. In Somaliland, the situation is better, but police impunity and the restricted space for freedom of expression remain significant concerns. Individuals, including journalists, who criticise the security forces or publicly question the Somaliland national project can be subject to detention without due process.

In South Sudan, the September 2018 revitalised peace agreement is delivering reduced levels of fighting, and a reduction in violence against civilians. But where fighting continues, ‘scorched earth’ tactics are being used, including sexual violence against men, women and children. Implementing the peace process itself entails risks for civilians, including poorly executed security sector reform. Looking beyond the peace process, the increasing dominance of state security organs and weak legal checks undermine all civil and political rights, particularly freedom of expression and media freedom.

In Afghanistan, the protection of the right to life is the greatest challenge. A UN report found that in the first 6 months of 2019, 3,812 civilians were either killed or injured. In July, there were more than 1,500 civilian casualties, more than in any other month for over 2 years. Afghanistan is also the most dangerous country in the world for humanitarian workers: 77 aid workers were killed, injured, or abducted in the first half of 2019 alone. There have been 133 recorded attacks on health facilities and personnel so far this year, in clear violation of international humanitarian law. While improvements have been made in areas such as women’s rights, media freedom, Freedom of Religion or Belief, and freedom of expression, significant challenges remain. Violence against women remains widespread, and last month over 60 civilians were killed in an attack on a Shia Hazara wedding ceremony. A negotiated settlement is the only solution to ending the conflict with the Taliban. It is critical to ensure that the protection and promotion of human rights is at its core.

The human rights situation in Turkmenistan remains a cause for concern, with only limited implementation of human rights legislation. The principal issues are continuing allegations of torture and poor prison conditions, restrictions on freedom of expression and on Freedom of Religion or Belief, gender discrimination, and restrictions on LGBT rights. The country was ranked last in Reporters Without Borders’ Press Freedom Index. Turkmenistan’s acceptance of a range of Universal Periodic Review recommendations in 2018 signalled progress, but to date there has been little evidence of implementation.

In Colombia, three years on from the signing of the peace deal and amid a general improvement in headline security figures, the number of killings of human rights defenders remains high. During the first half of 2019, there have been 43 confirmed cases, with the UN investigating another 30. As human rights defenders, social leaders have a fundamental role in post-conflict Colombia, helping to hold the Government of Colombia to account on its commitments to implement the peace process, advance democracy, and guarantee the rule of law. Protecting human rights defenders has become a top priority for the Government of Colombia, in the face of pressure from civil society and the international community, but the measures taken so far have had little impact.

Focusing on particular countries allows us to exert influence over the long term, and thus to achieve maximum impact, encouraging governments to meet their international human rights obligations. Our human rights work goes beyond these 30 countries. We prioritise issues of concern, but also seek to reflect positive developments where there has been progress. Human rights priority countries (HRPCs) are automatically a priority for funding from the human rights focused Magna Carta Fund. We continue to address the challenges in the 30 HRPCs through our programmes and diplomacy at all levels, and will report on developments in more detail in the 2019 FCO Annual Human Rights & Democracy Report.