Written question asked by Lord Singh of Wimbledon (Crossbench) on Tuesday, 21 March 2023, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 4 April 2023. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Tuesday, 4 April 2023 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Saudi Arabia: Human Rights

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) discrimination against religious minorities and women, (2) the use of the death penalty, and (3) reports of extrajudicial killings, in Saudi Arabia; and on what basis they describe Saudi Arabia as a strategic partner.

Answer: The UK and Saudi Arabia have a longstanding bilateral relationship based on trade; investment; defence; security; energy and shared concerns about regional issues. We have vital national security and economic interests in maintaining and developing our relationship with Saudi Arabia, including in how we work together to tackle regional threats. No aspect of our relationship with Saudi Arabia prevents us from speaking frankly about human rights. We monitor a range of human rights issues in the Kingdom, including those pertaining to women, religious minorities and the continued use of the death penalty in the Kingdom.

Secondary information