Human Rights Watch Condemns UK's Erosion of Rights in 2023, Citing Global Impact
In its World Report 2024, Human Rights Watch criticized the United Kingdom's government, asserting that its policies and practices in 2023 severely diminished domestic human rights protections and undercut efforts to advocate for human rights globally.
Yasmine Ahmed, UK Director at Human Rights Watch, stated, “The UK had another dismal year for human rights in 2023. The government continued its assault on fundamental rights in the UK, including the right to protest and seek asylum, which undermined its efforts to promote human rights globally.”
The 740-page report, which reviews human rights practices in over 100 countries, highlights the UK government's actions that weakened basic freedoms, particularly the right to protest, with the introduction of new legislation. The Public Order Act, passed in April, was criticized for criminalizing peaceful protests and limiting freedom of expression and assembly.
Of particular concern is the UK’s pursuit of plans to transfer asylum seekers to Rwanda and the introduction of the Illegal Migration Act. These actions, according to Human Rights Watch, not only attacked the rights of refugees and asylum seekers but also had a corrosive influence on international norms and standards.
In July, the UK government adopted the Illegal Migration Act, drawing widespread condemnation. The act restricts access to asylum and undermines protections for those arriving "irregularly." The government faced legal challenges, with the Supreme Court ultimately ruling the UK-Rwanda asylum scheme unlawful in November. The government, in response, pledged emergency legislation to confirm Rwanda as a safe country, raising concerns about the prioritization of political interests over human rights.
Despite an ongoing cost of living crisis, the UK government failed to adopt policies addressing social security and an adequate standard of living, including food and housing rights. Racial inequalities and discrimination were also inadequately addressed, with the government falling short in its response to the Windrush scandal.
On the global stage, the UK government's condemnation of human rights abuses in countries like Sudan, Ukraine, Iran, and Belarus was juxtaposed with its selective approach. The report highlighted the government's failure to call out Israel's actions, including collective punishment in Gaza, amidst increased reports of antisemitism and Islamophobic incidents in the UK.
Human Rights Watch urged governments to consistently uphold their human rights obligations, emphasizing the need for the UK to address internal rights issues to maintain credibility in promoting human rights globally. The report underscores the consequential nature of 2023, emphasizing the costs incurred for those not benefiting from selective diplomatic deals.
As international scrutiny on the UK's human rights record intensifies, the report calls for urgent reforms to safeguard fundamental rights domestically and restore the nation's commitment to promoting human rights worldwide.
