·  Bright Blue has launched a campaign calling for more scrutiny of FCO’s human rights record

·  It is important that Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson speaks out more on these issues, and is better advised and held more to account in doing soAhead of International Human Rights Day [10 December], Bright Blue has launched a campaign calling for an independent Human Rights Advisory Committee to hold the FCO to account on its human rights record. 

The FCO currently produces its own annual report on human rights, which includes an assessment of government spending on human rights projects overseas, goals for its work on human rights, and its list of Human Rights Priority Countries (HRPC). This annual report has been criticised by the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee for lacking measurable targets, whilst the list of HRPCs is seen as politicised.

Bright Blue believes that the FCO’s work on human rights would be improved and prioritised through the establishment of a high-profile Human Rights Advisory Committee.

Commenting, Ryan Shorthouse, Director of Bright Blue, said:

"Now, more than ever, Britain needs to show global leadership on promoting the importance of liberal democracy, human rights and a rules-based international system.

“Countless countries and people around the world have looked to Britain in the past for the protection of individual liberty and democracy. Britain has the history, status and responsibility to push for other governments, including in the Middle East, to end practices that are anti-democratic and undermine human rights.

“It is important that the Foreign Secretary speaks out more on these issues, and is better advised and held to account in doing so."