Britain is preparing to appoint a dedicated envoy to address the cases of its citizens arbitrarily detained overseas, a move that mirrors a similar initiative by the United States.
This development comes amid increasing calls for the UK government to intensify efforts to secure the release of Britons held in foreign jails.
High-profile cases, such as those of Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abdel Fattah and Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai, have brought the plight of these detainees into sharp focus.
While the UK foreign ministry asserts its continuous engagement with governments on such cases, relatives of detainees and human rights organisations have voiced concerns about a perceived lack of urgency and transparency.
“The government is committed to strengthening support for British nationals, including through the appointment of a new envoy,” a Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed to AFP.
Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer has indicated that an “Envoy for Complex Consular Detentions” is expected to be appointed “before the summer.”
Although the specific terms of the role have not been detailed, it is anticipated to be similar to America’s Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, a position established in 2015. However, unlike the United States, Britain does not engage in prisoner exchanges.
Professor Carla Ferstman, an expert on arbitrary detentions at the Human Rights Centre at Essex Law School, believes that appointing such a high-level figure would be the “clearest thing that the UK can do that it hasn’t done yet,” as it would command a certain level of respect.
Alaa Abdel Fattah, for instance, was arrested in September 2019 and sentenced to five years in prison for “spreading false news” after a Facebook post about police brutality.
Despite his mother’s hunger strike and the British foreign ministry’s efforts, he remains imprisoned.
His sister, Sanaa Seif, expressed hope that an envoy would ensure “a proper continued focus on” freeing detainees and serve as a “focal point” to coordinate efforts across different government bodies.
Seif also suggested revising travel advice to Egypt and considering sanctions against Egyptian officials, echoing calls from lawmakers.
Ferstman highlighted that tightening travel guidance can be a powerful tool, impacting tourism and business travel.
Amnesty International recently urged the government to develop a “clear strategy” to support arbitrarily detained Britons, including demanding that UK officials attend trials and publicly calling for immediate release when requested by families.
The Labour government’s manifesto last year pledged “a new right to consular assistance in cases of human rights violations.” Amnesty noted that London took three years to publicly call for Lai’s release, which his son Sebastian believes “sends the wrong message” to “autocratic states.”
Eilidh Macpherson, Amnesty’s campaigns manager, emphasised that quicker public statements post-arrest offer a greater “window of opportunity” for release.
UK officials have expressed caution about being accused of interfering in other countries’ judicial systems. However, Ferstman argued that while quiet diplomacy may sometimes be necessary, it should not come at the expense of transparency.
Jagtar Singh Johal, a Scottish Sikh blogger arrested in India in 2017 on terror plot accusations, remains unconvicted, and his brother, Gurpreet Singh Johal, complains of a lack of transparency regarding diplomatic efforts.
Gurpreet believes an envoy would be “a good thing” but awaits clarity on the position’s exact implications.
