Trade Deals Human Rights Provisions 2020-11-19
2020-11-19
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from ongoing discussions on including human rights provisions in future trade deals with UK partners.
What recent discussions have been had with UK trade partners on including provisions on human rights in future trade deals?
This Government have a strong history of promoting our values globally, including human rights. While our approach to agreements will vary between partners, our strong economic relationships allow us to have open discussions on a range of issues, including on human rights. We will not compromise our high standards in trade agreements.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific details of recent discussions and commitments regarding human rights provisions were not provided.
Vague Promotion Of Values
Generic Commitment To High Standards Without Specifics
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The UN reported in September that Saudi airstrikes in Yemen had led to a consistent pattern of harms to civilians, contradicting the UK Government's previous statement in July. This discrepancy prompts questions about how the Government evaluates evidence.
How has the Government looked at the same evidence as the UN and arrived at such vastly different conclusions regarding arms exports to Saudi Arabia?
May I remind the hon. Lady, as the Secretary of State said earlier in response to a question from the right hon. Member for Islington South and Finsbury (Emily Thornberry), that the UK has one of the most rigorous arms control regimes in the world? We follow the consolidated criteria at all times. On trade agreements, I ask her to judge us on our deeds and not always on our words. In terms of the trade agreements that we have rolled over, there has been no diminution of human rights clauses in any of those agreements.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific question about evaluating evidence for arms exports was not directly addressed; instead, a general statement on rigorous control regimes and human rights clauses was provided.
Reminding The Questioner
Shift To Trade Agreements
Response accuracy