Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed al-Maktoum

Baroness Northover Excerpts

Wednesday 17th March 2021 Lords Chamber

[Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Con)]

The noble Lord refers to the case of Sheikha Shamsa. Criminal matters are a matter for the police. An investigation was conducted by Cambridgeshire Constabulary, which is of courses operationally independent, and the Government had no role in that investigation or its outcome. The UK believes that all states, including the UAE, need to uphold international human rights obligations. We have a close relationship with the UAE, which means that we can raise issues where needed.

[Baroness Northover (LD)]

My Lords, the Integrated Review says that we will

“shape the international order of the future”

and that global Britain is showing

“a renewed commitment to the UK as a force for good in the world”.

Does that include defending the rights of women and girls in the UAE? The Minister appears to be saying that we have not raised this case with the Government of the UAE.

[Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Con)]

My Lords, the Integrated Review indeed sets out, as does my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary’s speech today in Aspen, how we want the UK to be a force for good in the world, defending democracy and human rights. In this case, we are raising the matter through the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights and we continue to follow developments closely.