Lord Bethell is a British parliamentarian with a strong history of support for those fighting oppression. He has worked in the US Senate, the European Commission, as a supporter of the Conservative Party and for UK thinktanks. He served as Minister for Health during the pandemic and as a Whip in the House of Lords. He is a member of IPAC and the Conservative Research Group on China.

Bill Browder was the largest foreign investor in Russia until 2005, when he was denied entry to the country and declared “a threat to national security” for exposing corruption in Russian state-owned companies. In 2008, Mr. Browder’s lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky, uncovered a massive fraud committed by Russian government officials that involved the theft of US $230 million of state taxes. Sergei testified against state officials involved in this fraud and was subsequently arrested, imprisoned without trial and systematically tortured. He spent a year in prison under horrific detention conditions, was repeatedly denied medical treatment, and died in prison on November 16, 2009, leaving behind a wife and two children. Since then, Mr. Browder has sought justice outside of Russia and started a global campaign for governments around the world to impose targeted visa bans and asset freezes on human rights abusers and highly corrupt officials.

Benedict Rogers is a British human rights activist and journalist based in London. He is a member of the advisory group of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) and an advisor to the World Uyghur Congress. Benedict is also the Chief Executive of Hong Kong Watch and Senior Analyst for East Asia at Christian Solidarity Worldwide. He regularly briefs senior Government ministers and officials, UK members of parliament, the European Union, United Nations officials, US Congressional offices and the State Department on human rights and freedom of religion in Asia. Benedict has also testified in hearings at the House of Commons, the European Parliament, the National Diet of Japan and the United States Congress. He is a regular contributor to international media, including The Wall Street Journal, International Herald Tribune, and The Huffington Post.

Katherine Thompson is a Research Fellow at the Henry Jackson Society. Prior to joining HJS, Katherine served as the lead policy staffer on national security for U.S. Senator Mike Lee. In her role, Katherine advised Senator Lee on matters relating to foreign policy, national defense, and intelligence. She has also previously worked for the Heritage Foundation in Washington D.C. as Assistant to the Vice President of Policy Promotion, working to bring public policy research to Congress, the Executive Branch, coalition allies, and young leaders. Katherine holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from the King’s College NYC.

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EVENT SUMMARY

The Henry Jackson Society was pleased to launch a report on what the UK can do to help dissidents worldwide. The report was authored by Lord Bethell and Dr Helena Ivanov. Dr Alan Mendoza began the discussion by introducing the speakers and the topic of the conversation. Benedict Rogers mentioned the time he had spent in Hong Kong, as well as his subsequent banning from entry. He spoke about the unwillingness of states to meet with figures such as the Dalai Lama for fear of backlash from China and how such approaches need to change. Bill Brower spoke about his personal experience as a dissident, and how the arrest and subsequent murder of his lawyer Sergei Magnitsky spurred him to become an activist for the rights of dissidents everywhere. This story was juxtaposed by his account of reluctance from the UK and US governments in helping his cause. Lord Bethell concluded the discussion by insisting that the UK, as a reliable partner to those who uphold human rights and democracy, should continue supporting democratic values around the world. All speakers answered a series of questions on realpolitik, economic sanctions and government rhetoric.

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