Committee publication · Correspondence · 17 June 2026
Correspondence to the Home Secretary regarding the National Security (State Threats) Bill: implications for humanitarian organisations and development delivery, 17 June 2026
Summary
The International Development Committee writes to the Home Secretary regarding the National Security (State Threats) Bill, expressing concern that new offences targeting designated bodies may have unintended consequences for humanitarian organisations operating in conflict zones. The committee acknowledges the Bill's security objectives but warns that broad provisions on assisting designated bodies and accepting material benefits from them could chill humanitarian activity, impede access to vulnerable populations, and create legal uncertainty absent explicit safeguards. It requests a humanitarian exemption and a government impact assessment.
Key findings
- The Bill's offences of supporting, assisting, or obtaining benefits from designated bodies lack explicit humanitarian exemptions, creating legal uncertainty for aid organisations even when acting solely for humanitarian purposes under international law.
- Humanitarian organisations routinely engage with state-linked actors in conflict zones to secure access, ensure staff safety, and deliver life-saving assistance—activities that may inadvertently fall within the scope of new section 17B and 17C.
- Broad framing of offences risks de-risking behaviour by banks, suppliers, and logistics providers, making it harder for humanitarian organisations to operate in affected environments.
- Reliance on exclusions, defences, or licensing mechanisms is inadequate, particularly in humanitarian emergencies requiring rapid response.
- The committee seeks a government assessment of the Bill's potential impact on humanitarian access, UK-supported assistance delivery, and the willingness of commercial actors to support operations in areas where designated bodies are present.
Tone
CriticalTopics
Key actors
International Development Committee, Shabana Mahmood MP, Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Sarah Champion MP, Humanitarian organisations, Home Office, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Notable line
“… absent clear safeguards on the face of the Bill, routine humanitarian activities could be placed at risk of criminalisation, even where they are carried out solely for humanitarian purposes”
Key Quotes
“Humanitarian organisations often operate in areas where state-linked actors exercise territorial control. In such contexts, engagement with all parties to a conflict may be necessary to secure access to affected populations, obtain security guarantees …”
“… absent clear safeguards on the face of the Bill, routine humanitarian activities could be placed at risk of criminalisation, even where they are carried out solely for humanitarian purposes and in accordance with international humanitarian law.”
“We are concerned that reliance on exclusions, defences or licensing mechanisms is not an adequate safeguard, particularly in humanitarian emergencies.”
“… broadly framed offences may contribute to de-risking by banks, suppliers, logistics providers and other commercial actors, thereby making it more difficult for humanitarian organisations to function in affected environments.”
“Will you consider amending the Bill to include an express humanitarian exemption making clear that offences relating to designated bodies do not apply to the activities of impartial humanitarian organisations acting in accordance with international humanitarian law?”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗