Briefing - The Case for Stopping the Importation of Goods Arising from Serious Breaches of International Law (September 2024)

Amnesty International is calling for the UK government to commit to a policy position of stopping the importation of products arising from activities that are a grave breach of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, such as use of forced labour, or originating from territories that are occupied illegally under international humanitarian law.

Whilst the case for stopping the importation of goods arising from serious breaches of international law is not limited to goods from territories unlawfully occupied by Israel, this briefing focuses on the urgent need for the UK to stop the importation of Israeli settlement goods as a required step in order to comply with the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on 19 July 2024. The latter recognised Israel’s occupation as unlawful and directed third states to not recognise as lawful, aid or assist that unlawful situation.

Amnesty International urges governments and businesses to abide by their respective international obligations and responsibilities regarding Israeli settlements. The call to stop the importation of settlement goods reflects the reality that such goods originate from practices that are illegal, and to allow their importation legitimises and facilitates those practices.

This briefing contains suggested questions and actions for Parliamentarians, as well as a case study from elsewhere to demonstrate what a ban could look like in practice.