Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Free Trade Agreements: Human Rights

Thursday 18 June 2020 · 1 question

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Kim Johnson questions whether the government's prioritization of trade over human rights is a recent trend or if it started during the coalition government.
  • The government states there has been no relaxation or watering down of the UK's complete commitment to human rights in any aspect, including international trade.
  • The Cotonou agreement is expiring, and the government aims to maintain the practical outcome of existing EU trade deals while ensuring no watering down of human rights standards.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kim Johnson Lab Luton North
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The UK has initiated free trade negotiations with the US, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. The country aims to promote human rights in its economic relationships.

Question

Kim Johnson questions whether the government's prioritization of trade over human rights is a recent trend or if it started during the coalition government. She notes that most post-Brexit agreements do not include clauses on human rights and asks for confirmation on these discussions and guarantees.

Answer from Greg Hands (Minister for Asia and the Pacific)

There has been no relaxation or watering down of the UK's complete commitment to human rights in any aspect, including international trade. The Cotonou agreement is expiring and we aim to maintain the practical outcome of existing EU trade deals while ensuring that there is no watering down of human rights commitments.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email