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. In Bangladesh, the application of the Digital Security Act (DSA) was widely perceived both in Bangladesh and internationally as targeting critics of the government, leading to the arrest of journalists and censorship of the media. Amnesty International reported that at least 185 individuals were being held under the DSA for allegedly publishing offensive or false information – one of whom died in custody in February. There were 120 reports of journalists experiencing harassment[footnote 9]. Opposition parties alleged acts of intimidation by the government and claimed to find it increasingly difficult to operate, illustrated by at least 263 reported instances of political violence and 54 related deaths between January and June[footnote 10] 41 custodial deaths were reported in the same period, compared with 37 from the first 6 months of 2020[footnote 11]. There were also increased reports of rape and gender-based violence. Bangladesh continued to host nearly 1 million Rohingya refugees displaced from Myanmar in camps in Cox’s Bazar. COVID-19 related restrictions on NGOs and UN agencies operating in the camps reduced protection services, leading to an increase in levels of gender-based violence against women and girls. In March, 11 refugees died in a fire leaving thousands of shelters destroyed. The government also relocated approximately 14,000 refugees to Bhasan Char in the Bay of Bengal as part of its plans to relocate up to 100,000 refugees. Human Rights Watch expressed concerns about this, including over access to food, healthcare and the detention of refugees attempting to leave. Refugees protested about conditions on the island during a visit by 2 UNHCR Assistant High Commissioners in June. The human rights situation in Colombia continued to be of concern to the UK. Despite overall progress in the security situation since the 2016 Peace Agreement was signed, killings of social leaders and Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) by illegal armed groups and criminal gangs continued, even though ensuring their safety is a priority for the Colombian Government. The threat to social leaders comes mainly from illegal organised crime groups, tackling which presents a complex and formidable challenge. As well as the targeting of HRDs, human rights violations including sexual violence, internal displacement, forced disappearances and the limiting of media freedom also remain of concern. From 28 April to 16 June this year, the OHCHR registered 56 deaths in the context of nationwide protests. The UK has made clear its concern about reports of human rights violations by the police and armed forces in response to the protests, including allegations of homicide, sexual violence and arbitrary detentions. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights visited Colombia in June 2021 and made several recommendations. We welcome the Colombian Government’s commitment to investigate all allegations of excessive use of force. During the reporting period, no parties to the conflict had returned to the terms of the Peace Agreement, and mechanisms to investigate allegations of atrocities, and hold those responsible accountable, had not been established. This is essential to reaching a peaceful resolution to the current crisis, and to enabling longer-term efforts to address human rights violations and abuses and to support reconciliation efforts. The establishment by the government of a special commission of inquiry to investigate violations of international humanitarian and international human rights law linked to the elections was a positive first step, but a culture of impunity prevailed. There was no improvement in the first 6 months of 2021 in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, as human rights violations remained widespread and systematic. On paper, North Korea’s constitution guarantees freedoms of speech, religious belief, the press, association and demonstration. In reality, North Koreans enjoy none of these freedoms. NGOs and others continued to provide disturbing reports of serious human rights violations inside North Korea. Since authorities sealed the country’s borders early in 2020 in response to COVID-19, the UK has been concerned that the plight of many DPRK citizens may have worsened further, and the absence of international actors has made it even harder than usual to work towards improvements. The UN Human Rights Council resolution on DPRK adopted on 23 March 2021 emphasised the importance of allowing international staff free and unimpeded access to all vulnerable people. Despite UN resolutions recalling the DPRK’s responsibility to protect its population from human rights violations, the DPRK authorities continued to refuse to cooperate with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, or allow the UN Special Rapporteur access to the country. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the UN reported a decrease of 14% in human rights violations and abuses in the first half of 2021 compared to the previous 6 months [footnote 12]. However, this period saw disruption to UN activities and collection of data in some places due to the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo volcano and anti-MONUSCO demonstrations[footnote 13]. Despite the purported improvement in conflict-affected areas, the numbers of human rights violations and abuses remained high and repression across the country continued. State agents were responsible for 43% of the violations and abuses documented in the first half of 2021. There were also worrying reports of arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial killings and corrupt judicial processes. The UN reported state agents were responsible for at least 199 extrajudicial killings, including 24 children. In conflict-affected provinces, at least 1147 people have been killed - an average of 6 civilians each day. Armed groups were responsible for 60% of documented human rights violations and abuses. Armed groups have continued to attack civilians indiscriminately. North Kivu province remained by far the most affected province. The Government of DRC introduced a state of siege on 6 May in Ituri and North Kivu provinces to tackle armed groups, but it has yet to produce a noticeable impact on the protection of civilians and it could increase risks. The UK called for military operations to respect human rights and for the military and MONUSCO to coordinate closely with the humanitarian community to ensure that operations did not inadvertently create instability, enable sexual violence, or worsen the humanitarian crisis. There were ongoing concerns around human rights in Egypt, although there were some signs of progress on specific cases during the reporting period. In March, the UK joined 31 countries in a Finland-led UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) statement on Egypt, the first UNHRC statement on Egypt since 2014. Some positive developments followed, with a number of activists released, including, in April, after 18 months in pre-trial detention, 3 prominent journalists about whom the UK lobbied the Egyptian authorities - Solafa Magdy, Hossam al-Sayyed, and Khaled Dawoud - in addition to Al Jazeera journalist Mahmoud Hussein, and university professor Hazem Hosni, who were released in February. The Egyptian Government also toughened penalties for female genital mutilation (FGM). Despite these positive developments, the wider human rights situation in Egypt remained concerning. Numerous human rights defenders and journalists remained in prison or in pre-trial detention, while prison conditions continued to be below acceptable standards, with widespread claims of mistreatment and abuse against detainees. Despite their release from prison, three employees of the human rights organisation EIPR remained subject to travel bans and asset freezes, and a number of young women were sentenced for social media videos deemed to contravene Egyptian family values. Death penalties and executions increased, with at least 51 individuals executed in the first half of 2021. This is a worrying increase compared to previous years and, according to multiple NGOs, Egypt now ranks 3rd globally for numbers of executions. In Iran, the human rights situation remained bleak. Foreign and dual nationals remain detained under arbitrary charges with individuals often held in perilous conditions. Journalists were arrested for their reporting, while staff working for foreign-based Persian media outlets and their families continue to be harassed. New bills threaten citizen journalists with charges that carry the death penalty if they send videos or images to “hostile states” and foreign social media sites face greater censorship and stringent limits on access. Persecution against religious minorities and ethnic groups continued unabated. In January, significant numbers of ethnic minority activists were arrested, and Parliament approved amendments to the penal code which pose significant risks to freedom of religion or belief. The Baha’i community faced particular hardship. In Ivel, they had their land expropriated, and several followers were detained. During the first 6 months of the year, Iran has remained a prolific user of the death penalty and credible reports estimate that there were at least 112 executions. The human rights situation in Iraq remained challenging in the first half of 2021. Militia and armed groups continued to operate with impunity, suppressing freedom of expression by perpetrating kidnappings and assassinations. Human rights reporting has suggested that targeted killings of activists have continued in the context of the upcoming election[footnote 14]. During the reporting period, there was no formal accountability for the killings of activists in 2021. The fact-finding committee set up by PM Kadhimi in 2020, had not published findings or delivered accountability. In the Kurdistan Region, the number of media freedom abuse cases increased, centred mostly around one group of journalists. Subsequent trials and appeals were the subject of widespread criticism. Smaller scale protests continued across Federal Iraq, against corruption and lack of adequate public services, due in part to significant periods of electricity and water shortages.  Public outrage and grief sparked after 2 substantial fires in COVID-19 isolation wards resulted in over 150 deaths. The Iraqi Government showed some willingness to recognise the role of minorities, but there was little meaningful progress. The consequences of Daesh atrocities remained, with1.2 million Iraqis still displaced. The security and the political situation, and the limited infrastructure, prevented returns particularly to Sinjar and Nineveh. The Iraqi Parliament passed the Yazidi Survivors Law in March 2021, which was an important step that officially recognised Daesh crimes against Yazidi and other minority groups as crimes against humanity and genocide. However, implementation has been slow and meaningful accountability for Daesh atrocities had yet to be achieved. Notwithstanding welcome progress in Libya’s political process, including the inauguration of an interim Government of National Unity on 10 March, charged with preparing national elections on 24 December 2021, the human rights situation in Libya continued to be of concern throughout the period. As of June, UNHCR reported[footnote 15] that there were 42,458 migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Libya. Many were being held in overcrowded official migrant detention centres. Migrants and refugees in both official and unofficial detention centres faced arbitrary detention by militias, kidnapping for ransom, and a lack of due process, including indefinite detention. The UK continued to press for the end of the arbitrary detention of refugees, migrants and asylum seekers. Libyan authorities continued to uncover mass graves in Tarhouna and Southern Tripoli, reportedly linked to the abductions and killings allegedly committed by the al-Kaniyat militia. The alleged killings of Mohammed al-Kani, one of the leaders of the al-Kaniyat, and Mahmoud Al-Werfalli, an ICC-indictee, before they were brought to justice highlighted the continued need for accountability under the rule of law in Libya. The UK designated the al-Kaniyat militia, along with 2 of its leaders, under our Libya Sanctions regime on 13 May. The UK called for greater access for the UN Fact Finding Mission in Libya to investigate violations and abuses, and for a process of national reconciliation and accountability. The silencing of journalists, activists, and human rights defenders by militias, along with restrictions on freedom of association, of the media, and of religion or belief were of serious concern, particularly ahead of national elections in December. This was exemplified by the abduction of Mansour Atti Al Maghrabi, the Head of the Libyan Red Crescent, in Ajdabiya on 3 June. The UK called on the relevant Libyan authorities to facilitate free, fair and inclusive national elections on 24 December 2021, and to ensure the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and the inclusion of youth. The human rights situation in Israel and the OPTs remains concerning. In Gaza, the situation deteriorated, with a significant escalation of violence between Gazan militant groups and Israel. Between 10 and 21 May 2021, Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group launched 4,360 rockets in to Israel. This resulted in the death of 12 civilians including one child and one soldier in Israel, with 330 others injured. The Israeli Defence Forces carried out a campaign of airstrikes, naval and land bombardment in Gaza. 256 civilian Palestinians were killed, including 66 children. Access to Gaza, already limited, was heavily curtailed during and following the escalation affecting humanitarian aid, food supplies and medical treatment. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remained dire and Hamas authorities continued to repress Gazans’ civil and political rights. In the West Bank, Israeli settlement activity continued. Rates of Israeli demolitions of Palestinian property in East Jerusalem and Area C increased. Incidents of concern included the repeated mass demolition of the Palestinian community of Humsa al Bqai’a in February, leaving civilians homeless. The threat of evictions of Palestinians from their homes in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah in particular, resulted in frequent clashes. According to UNOCHA, about 970 Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem were the subject of eviction cases. Settler violence worsened, with OCHA recording the highest monthly average of incidents since it began tracking settler violence with over 45 attacks resulting in Palestinian casualties or damage to property. Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces were accused of excessive use of force after the death of activist Nizar Banat in custody on 24 June. Protests subsequently took place across the West Bank, resulting in the harassment of peaceful protesters, journalists and human rights defenders, with women activists specifically targeted. Concerns also remained over use of excessive force by Israeli Security Forces. During the first 6 months of 2021, 49 Palestinians were killed (including 9 children), and 9,668 injured by Israeli forces in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The human rights situation in Pakistan remained concerning, despite some positive developments during the period. Notable positive developments included the establishment of Pakistan’s first Child Protection Institute to rescue and provide support and rehabilitation to street children and victims of child labour and trafficking. Pakistan’s Supreme Court placed a ban on the death penalty for prisoners with mental health issues and implemented safeguarding measures around prisoners’ mental health. A draft federal Journalist Protection bill and a new Journalist Protection bill in Sindh Province were positive legislative steps. The situation for religious minorities remained troubling, with widespread violence and discrimination, including against Ahmadi Muslims, Shia Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and Sikhs. There was a series of targeted killings of Ahmadi Muslims and frequent reports of damage to minority places of worship. Charges and prosecutions for blasphemy continued, with those individuals found guilty facing the death penalty. Religious minorities were affected disproportionately by blasphemy allegations. Cases of violence against women and girls persisted, as did reports of forced conversion and forced marriage. In April, the National Assembly approved a Domestic Violence bill, but progress through the legislative process stalled due to objections from religious leaders. Media freedom remained under threat, with increased attacks against journalists and legislative attempts to curb media operating space. Reports of torture and enforced disappearances, including of human rights activists, remained a concern. A draft Enforced Disappearances bill submitted to Parliament in June could criminalise the practice. In Russia, the authorities continued to repress the fundamental freedoms of the country’s citizens, and further restricted the activities of civil society organisations, independent media outlets, and opposition figures. Lawmakers implemented legislative amendments which expanded the scope of the undesirable organisations law to include individual activists, and also barred individuals involved in so-called “extremist” organisations from running for elected positions for a five-year period. This resulted in specific opposition movements being barred from running in State Duma elections in September. There were several high-profile prosecutions, which were widely believed to be politically motivated. In February, the Moscow City Court sentenced opposition figure Alexey Navalny, based on charges the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) deemed manifestly unreasonable. During subsequent demonstrations, peaceful protesters and independent journalists were forcibly detained and subjected to police violence. The ECtHR indicated to Russia to release Mr Navalny with immediate effect, based on their assessment of the risk to Mr Navalny’s life. Russia did not put this decision into effect in the first half of 2021. The UK continued to call for Mr Navalny’s immediate and unconditional release and condemned the treatment of peaceful protesters. Minority groups continued to suffer hostile treatment. In June, the British Embassy in Moscow flew the rainbow flag to demonstrate the UK’s support for and solidarity with the LGBT+ community, who continued to face discrimination. The persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses continued. The UK raised our concerns about the arrest of Jehovah’s Witnesses and raids of their homes at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and called on Russia to guarantee the right to freedom of religion or belief for all its citizens. The UK continued to call on Russia, alongside international partners at the OSCE, Council of Europe and the UN Human Rights Council, to uphold its international human rights commitments and ensure fundamental freedoms for all Russian citizens. In Saudi Arabia, some progress continued to be made through the Vision 2030 programme. Employment opportunities for women increased. Since February, women have had the right to enlist in the army. The World Bank credited Saudi Arabia with eliminating restrictions on women’s employment in industrial jobs, mining, manufacturing and night work in their 2021 report[footnote 16]. The Saudi authorities released all 13 women rights defenders detained in 2018 but they remained subject to travel bans. Saudi Arabia announced legal reforms aimed at eliminating discrepancies, improving consistency in court rulings and improving accountability and transparency. Despite positive progress in some areas, serious challenges on human rights remained elsewhere. At least 28 individuals were executed from January to June, a decrease from 2019 but an increase from the total 2020 figure. The retrospective application of the death penalty for minors was confirmed for three minors. Political dissent was not tolerated and the clampdown on political space continued. Reports of enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, torture and mistreatment in detention and lack of access to adequate legal representation remained. Freedom of expression and media freedom were very restricted. The British Embassy Riyadh has not been able to access trials in the Kingdom (with the exception of the trial in the murder case of Jamal Khashoggi) since 2018. The UK remains concerned that individuals arrested for crimes committed as minors remain on death row. This was heightened by the execution of Mustafa Hashem al-Darwish in June. The Embassy raised this case before and after the execution. The then Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, Minister for the Middle East, The Rt Hon James Cleverly MP and Minister for Human Rights, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon have raised human rights concerns in their meetings with their Saudi counterparts, including the cases of women’s rights defenders. UK ministers continued to push for progress on issues including modern slavery, freedom of religion or belief, justice reform, trial access, the death penalty, women’s rights, individual cases and detention conditions. In Somalia, the UK continued to monitor a wide range of human rights violations and abuses. Al Shabaab frequently attacked civilian targets. In the areas controlled by the group, respect for the rights of women and minorities was poor. We were also concerned at the violation of human rights by Federal Government and Member State security and police forces. The number of executions was at its highest level since 2017. Al Shabaab continued to execute civilians whom it accused of spying for foreign governments and the Federal Government of Somalia and, furthermore, did so without substantiation of these claims. In June, 21 Al Shabaab fighters were executed by authorities in Puntland. The effect of the country’s ongoing conflict on children was of great concern and appeared to be worsening, including as Al Shabaab continued recruitment of child soldiers. The situation for journalists and media organisations also remained difficult as the Federal Government and Federal Member States continued to limit freedom of expression. NGOs reported 30 incidents of harassment and arbitrary detention between January and April 2021, as well as a murder. Sexual and gender-based violence, including forced marriage and female genital mutilation, remained widespread across the country. In April, there were violent clashes in Mogadishu linked to the crisis over the electoral process, temporarily displacing thousands of people. High levels of insecurity compounded the challenging humanitarian situation. The COVID-19 pandemic and recent climate-related shocks pushed the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance to a three-year high of 5.9 million. Aid workers reported threats and, in many areas, humanitarian access remained difficult. Al Shabaab continued to blockade towns and villages, disrupting people’s movement and access to basic needs. Somaliland successfully held ‘one person, one vote’ parliamentary and local council elections on 31 May. Minority communities secured their first representation in the Parliament, but, disappointingly, no women were elected as MPs. Infringements of freedom of religion or belief were a concern: since late 2020, the Somaliland authorities have been cracking down on proselytisation. Additionally in Somaliland, a number of men were charged with homosexuality and given sentences of up to 13 years. In South Sudan progress on implementation of the 2018 Peace Agreement continued to be slow and limited, contributing to a dire humanitarian situation and no overall improvement in human rights. Growing instability and political tensions led to an increase in violence against those delivering humanitarian assistance and their assets, with at least 14 aid workers[footnote 17] killed during the reporting period. Human rights issues of particular concern included: ongoing targeting of civilians, sexual and gender-based violence, limits on freedom of expression, extrajudicial killings, and arbitrary detentions. At least 42 people[footnote 18] were reported to have been executed without any trial or due process by security forces in Warrap and Lakes states in incidents between March and June. Between January and February the UN Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan reported receiving “alarming reports” of censorship, harassment and arrests of activists by the country’s National Security Service (NSS), and in March, activists were detained by NSS over peaceful protests. Through regular engagement in London, the region and in Juba, the UK continued to press for greater cooperation on human rights issues by the Government of South Sudan, as well as implementation of the Peace Agreement. In March, the UK helped ensure the mandate for the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan was renewed until 2022. This important mandate will provide robust and independent monitoring, as well as assistance to the Government of South Sudan to implement its commitments on human rights, including operationalising justice mechanisms such as the Hybrid Court. Regrettably, the Government of South Sudan resisted this mandate renewal; seeking instead a focus solely on capacity building and an end to independent monitoring. There was no improvement during the first 6 months of 2021 to the human rights situation in Syria, which remained one of the most appalling in the world. Grave violations continued, including the regime’s use of artillery to shell civilians in North West Syria. The tenth anniversary, on 15 March, of the peaceful uprising that became the Syrian conflict prompted reporting on a decade of horrific violence, death, repression, violations, and abuses. The UN Commission of Inquiry’s 24th report on the conflict covers the period from July 2020 to June 2021 and documented that parties to the conflict, especially the Assad regime, continued to perpetrate war crimes and crimes against humanity and violate the basic human rights of Syrian civilians. The Commission also continued to document arbitrary and incommunicado detention, torture and sexual violence in detention, and deaths and enforced disappearances. The Assad regime bore the primary responsibility for these crimes, although other parties including terrorist groups Daesh and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham also perpetrated serious human rights abuses. The UK-penned resolution adopted by the UN Human Rights Council in March condemned these abuses and renewed the vital mandate of the Commission of Inquiry. Following further confirmed use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime Air Force, on 21 April the Conference of States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) adopted a Decision suspending Syria’s voting rights and privileges until it takes specified steps to comply with its CWC obligations. There were no significant improvements in the human rights situation in Turkmenistan in the first half of 2021. Human Rights Watch reported that human rights activists and their families, both inside and outside the country[footnote 19], were subject to arrest and harassment by the authorities. All imprisoned Jehovah’s Witnesses were released under a prisoner amnesty in May 2021. However, during the reporting period, Turkmenistan did not implement previous recommendations from the UN Human Rights Committee to revise relevant legislation, recognising, in law, the right to conscientious objection to military service and providing a civilian alternative outside the military sphere. The government continued to assert that there were no cases of COVID-19. Such claims were left largely unchallenged within the country due to the absence of a free media and extensive restrictions on freedom of expression. We welcome Turkmenistan’s discussions with the International Organisation for Migration in April 2021 on providing assistance and protection to the victims of human trafficking[footnote 20]. We encourage Turkmenistan to work with and arrange a visit by the UN Working Group on Enforced Disappearances as a step towards addressing long-standing concerns over incommunicado detention of victims of enforced disappearances. A newly published National Action Plan on Human Rights in Turkmenistan[footnote 21] contains some welcome initiatives that, if implemented fully, have the potential to improve the human rights situation in the country. Attacks on human, political and civil rights continued in Venezuela. During the first half of 2021, 43 National Assembly members were banned from leaving the country and 28 were disqualified from holding political office[footnote 22]. Attacks against human rights defenders tripled in comparison with the same period in 2020[footnote 23]. Five humanitarian actors were arrested for implementing a programme that was part of the UN’s humanitarian response plan. Attacks against journalists and media outlets continued. National Police Special Forces killed at least 14 people in an operation in Caracas, and killed 5 people after they were detained in the border state of Apure in March. Both of these instances have been referred to as possible extrajudicial executions[footnote 24]. Overall, UN reporting suggested a downward trend of alleged deaths during protests and security operations. The humanitarian and migration crises continued. Up to 2,000 migrants crossed the border with Colombia every day. The COVID-19 pandemic continued to exacerbate many rights-related problems and vaccination levels remained concerningly low. Gender-based violence remained a concern: 125 women and girls were victims of femicide[footnote 25] and 147 were rescued from human trafficking networks abroad[footnote 26]. The UK contributed to efforts to tackle gender-based violence through campaigns and programmes to empower girls, such as our ‘She Plays Safe’ programme. In Yemen, independent Yemeni human rights organisation Mwatana reported that groups across the country continued to be accused of arbitrary detentions, with widespread mistreatment of detainees, including torture[footnote 27]. The persecution of Yemeni religious minorities also continued. 24 members of the Baha’i community continued to be detained. On 7 March, a migrant centre in the capital Sana’a caught fire, killing 44 and injuring approximately 193. The International Organisation of Migrants stated that the migrant centre had been 3 times over capacity, creating inhumane and unsafe conditions. In May, 4 journalists released from Houthi custody disclosed details of extensive mistreatment, unfair trials and torture[footnote 28]. There were also reports of widespread gender based violence and sexual abuse of women detainees in Houthi prisons. NGO and media reports stated that in February the Houthis detained and sentenced to prison Yemeni actress Intisar al-Hammadi on immorality and prostitution charges when she refused to take part in an entrapment scheme[footnote 29]. On 21 June, the UN Secretary General’s report on Children and Armed Conflict added the Houthis to the list of parties engaging in violations against children, and detailed extensive incidents of such abuses. In particular, the Houthis increased their recruitment and deployment of child soldiers as part of their offensive on Ma’rib Governorate, leading to numerous child casualties[footnote 30]. A political solution to the conflict will help create the conditions needed to improve the human rights situation in Yemen. We remain concerned by the human rights situation in Zimbabwe, with no notable improvement between January and June 2021. We continued to be concerned by the pattern of harassment of prominent opposition and civil society figures, as well as journalists. We were yet to see accountability for the abduction and multiple arrests of opposition MDC Alliance members Joana Mamombe MP, Cecelia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova, as well as the repeated arrest of journalist Hopewell Chin’ono. The former Minister for Africa raised the human rights situation in Zimbabwe with Foreign Minister Shava on 9 June. On 1 February, the UK announced autonomous sanctions to hold to account 4 security officials who were responsible for some of Zimbabwe’s worst human rights violations under the Mnangagwa regime. These restrictive measures are not targeted at, nor intended to impact, the wider economy and the people of Zimbabwe. In the first half of 2021, the UK continued to support civil society in Zimbabwe to hold the Government to account.