Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Saudi Arabia: Human Rights Defenders

Tuesday 24 November 2020 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Alex Cunningham questioned the Minister about discussions with Saudi Arabia regarding the detention of women human rights defenders at the G20 summit.
  • The Minister responded that the UK raises human rights concerns with Saudi Arabia through ministerial and diplomatic channels and encourages further progress on women's rights.
  • Wayne David inquired about specific actions the Government plans to take to press Saudi Arabia for the release of human rights activists post-G20 summit.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alex Cunningham Lab
Foreign Affairs
Context

Discussions on human rights at the G20 summit.

Question

What discussions did you have with the Government of Saudi Arabia at the G20 on human rights defenders in that country?

Answer from James Cleverly

Our strong relationship with Saudi Arabia allows us to raise human rights concerns through a range of ministerial and diplomatic channels. Ahead of the G20 leaders' summit, I raised human rights concerns with the Saudi ambassador, including the continued detention of at least five women human rights defenders. The UK also signed the UN Human Rights Council joint statement in September calling for the release of all political detainees. We will continue to raise human rights concerns with the Saudi authorities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or commitments to secure the release of women human rights defenders were not detailed.

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Q2 Alex Cunningham Lab
Foreign Affairs Women & Equalities
Context

Concerns about continued detention of women fighting for equality despite legal progress.

Question

Women in Saudi Arabia now have the right to drive, but some of those who fought for that basic equality remain behind bars. The UK is, as the Minister suggests, Saudi Arabia's closest European ally, but does he understand why the detention of women human rights defenders by the Saudi Arabian authorities is an important test of our Government's commitment to defending human rights? Will he call on them to release these women and all political prisoners immediately?

Answer from James Cleverly

We welcome the improved situation for women in Saudi and encourage the Saudis to continue steps in that direction. As I have already said, we engage on this specific issue at both ministerial and official level and will continue to urge the Saudis to go further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to calling for immediate release of women human rights activists was not made.

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Q3 Wayne David Lab
Foreign Affairs
Context

Concerns about the deteriorating human rights situation and the need for concrete actions.

Question

The Minister knows full well that the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia is terrible, and many people believe it is getting worse. Now that the G20 summit has been held, what precisely do the Government intend to do to put pressure on the Government of Saudi Arabia to release human rights activists, including women's rights activists who are being held for fighting for freedoms that we in this country take for granted?

Answer from James Cleverly

I spoke to the Saudi ambassador about this very issue on 16 November. As I say, it is important that we recognise when progress has been made. Saudi is embarking on a reform programme and we are seeking to ensure that that goes further and faster, but as I said in response to the previous question, we do engage at ministerial level and at official level to encourage the release of women's human rights defenders.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or commitments were not detailed for pressuring Saudi Arabia on releasing activists.

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