This Library Note provides background reading for the debate to be held on Thursday, 21 November to take note of Her Majesty’s Government’s policy towards countries responsible for violations of human rights.
Debate on 21 November: Her Majesty’s Government’s Policy Towards Countries Responsible for Violations of Human Rights (341 KB , PDF)
This Library Note provides information on the Government’s human rights policy and the action it has taken aimed to secure the improvement of human rights abroad. It also provides information on the debate over how the UK might best influence foreign governments on the issue of human rights, including in the context of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) hosted by Sri Lanka on 15 to 17 November 2013.
Debate on 21 November: Her Majesty’s Government’s Policy Towards Countries Responsible for Violations of Human Rights (341 KB , PDF)
In January 2025 the House of Lords Constitution Committee published a report on the responsibility of the government (the executive) to oversee the constitution. It concluded that the UK’s constitutional arrangements would benefit from several improved safeguards, such as the appointment of a senior minister to advise on constitutional matters and for advisory bodies to be put on a statutory footing.
The Chagos Archipelago has been the subject of a long-standing dispute over its sovereignty between the UK and Mauritius. Having been retained by the UK since 1965, the largest island, Diego Garcia, later became the site of a joint UK-US military base. In May 2025, the UK reached an agreement to transfer sovereignty of the islands back to Mauritius, while maintaining an initial 99-year lease of Diego Garcia. The agreement also includes security and financial provisions.
This proposed law would prevent sentencing guidelines setting out when a pre-sentence report should be obtained from being framed by reference to the personal characteristics of an offender such as race, religion or belief and cultural background.
