Parliamentary questions regarding Gulf countries’ human rights violations

On the 14th November 2017 Lord Warner (Labour) asked the following questions in the Department for International Trade and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

"To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the implications of reported human rights violations by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates for the UK's trading relationships with those countries.

To which Baroness Fairhead (Conservative) answered:

"The UK has a strong history of protecting human rights and promoting our values globally. We will continue to encourage all states to uphold international human rights obligations and work with those determined to reform. Our embassies in these countries maintain regular dialogue with officials and leaders on a range of topics, including human rights issues."

"To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that citizens of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates can be imprisoned or fined for expressing sympathy for Qatar."

To which Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon replied:

​"We are aware of the reports and have updated our Travel Advice accordingly. We call on all sides to take steps to de-escalate the situation and unite the Gulf Cooperation Council."

"To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment hey have made of reports that Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have committed human rights violations in respect of Qatari citizens living or working in their countries, and in respect of their own citizens living or working in Qatar."

To which Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon replied:

"We understand that the current restrictions are having an impact on the everyday lives of people in the region. We call upon our Gulf friends to encourage de-escalation, lift restrictions, and get firmly behind Kuwait's mediation efforts."