Moved by
Baroness Williams of Trafford
70K: After Clause 69, insert the following new Clause—
“Visa penalties under section (Visa penalty provision: general): review and revocation
(1) This section applies where any visa penalty provision made pursuant to section (Visa penalties for countries posing risk to international peace and security etc) is in force in relation to a country.
(2) The Secretary of State must, before the end of each relevant period—
(a) review the extent to which the country’s government is continuing to act in a way that, in the opinion of Secretary of State, has or is likely to have any of the consequences mentioned in section (Visa penalties for countries posing risk to international peace and security etc)(1), and
(b) in light of that review, determine whether it is appropriate to amend the visa penalty provision.
(3) If, at any time, the Secretary of State forms the opinion that, despite the fact that the country’s government has taken or is taking action as mentioned in section (Visa penalties for countries posing risk to international peace and security etc)(1), the visa penalty provision is not necessary or expedient in connection with—
(a) the promotion of international peace and security,
(b) the resolution or prevention of armed conflict, or
(c) the promotion of compliance with international humanitarian law,
the Secretary of State must as soon as practicable revoke the visa penalty provision.
(4) Each of the following is a relevant period—
(a) the period of 2 months beginning with the day on which the visa penalty provision came into force;
(b) each subsequent period of 2 months.
(5) In this section, “visa penalty provision” has the same meaning as in section (Visa penalty provision: general).”
Member’s explanatory statement
This clause provides for the review of the effectiveness of visa penalty provision made in relation to countries presenting a risk to international peace and security etc, and requires its revocation if the Secretary of State concludes that it is no longer necessary or expedient.