Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is (a) taking and (b) planning to take to compel the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to end human rights abuses.

Our close relationship with Saudi Arabia allows us to raise human rights with the Saudi authorities through a range of diplomatic channels, including Ministers, our Ambassador, and the British Embassy in Riyadh.

In September 2020, the UK signed a UN Human Rights Council statement calling for the release of all political detainees, opposing the use of the death penalty in all circumstances and calling for all those responsible for the killing of Jamal Khashoggi to be held account. On 29 November, the UK Ambassador for Human Rights and six European counterparts released a joint statement reiterating our call for the release of all political detainees, including women's rights defenders.

We expect Saudi Arabia to uphold the highest human rights standards. We will continue to raise human rights with the Saudi authorities and monitor issues of concern.