Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations, if any, they have made to the government of Saudi Arabia about Loujain al-Hathloul, in particular about her access to family visits.

Ministers, our Ambassador and Embassy in Riyadh have raised concern over the continued detention of Women's Rights Defenders, including Loujain al-Hathloul, at senior levels with the Saudi authorities. This was also raised by the Foreign Secretary during his recent trip to Saudi Arabia. We have consistently pressed for due process, raised concerns about the use of solitary confinement, lack of family contact and allegations of torture. The UK, along with other embassies in Saudi Arabia, consistently attempt to attend all trials of Women's Rights Defenders, but have been denied access since October 2018. The UK signed a statement at the UN Human Rights Council on 15 September, calling for the release of Women's Rights Defenders. I raised Women's Rights Defenders during my call with Dr Awwad al-Awwad, the President of the Saudi Human Rights Commission, in June.