APPENDIX 6
Memorandum submitted by the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office on Human Rights in Saudi Arabia and Trade
Relations with Israel (29 June 2000)
SAUDI ARABIA
1. There have been a number of important
developments in the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia in
1999 and 2000.
2. At bilateral meetings before, during
and after the UN Commission on Human Rights in 1999, British officials
encouraged the Saudi authorities to cooperate more closely with
such UN human rights bodies. At the same time the UK joined EU
partners in a public statement of concern at shortcomings in criminal
procedures, freedom of expression, assembly and worship, and women's
rights there, and in urging Saudi Arabia to become a party to
the remaining core international human rights instruments—the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the
Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against
Women. The UN Commission concluded that Saudi Arabia had responded
sufficiently to complaints about human rights violations, including
about its judicial system, for consideration of Saudi Arabia under
the 1503 Procedure to be discontinued. The Commission expressed
appreciation for the progress achieved by Saudi Arabia, including
its increased willingness to work with the Commission and other
human rights organisations and mechanisms. In welcoming the Commission's
decision to discontinue consideration of Saudi Arabia under the
1503 procedure, the Saudi Arabian Government announced its intention
to accede to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights. The UK will continue to press for early accession.
3. Throughout 1999, the UK maintained its
policy of constructive engagement on human rights with the Saudi
Government through frank but private exchanges, visits and meetings.
In April 1999, at the invitation of the British Government, the
Saudi Minister of Justice attended a British Council seminar in
London on "Britain and Islam" which included debate
on aspects of human rights such as education and gender, and race
and religion. The Saudi Minister also met the Lord Chancellor
and the Home Secretary and discussed human rights and Sharia Law
and relations between the Muslim and non-Muslim communities in
the UK and Saudi Arabia. During a visit to Saudi Arabia in October
1999, FCO Minister of State Peter Hain MP raised human rights
with the Deputy Foreign Minister; and they agreed on further bilateral
exchanges. This was followed in December by debate at the UK-Saudi
Joint Cultural Committee in London, a forum specifically established
to develop relations between governmental and non-governmental
organisations in the two countries. Other contacts in 1999, all
at HMG's invitation, included attendance by two Saudi academics
at a UK conference on the relationship between Islam and the West
in the 21st Century, a visit by representatives of Saudi religious
charitable organisations to UK Christian counterparts to discuss
common experience and possible collaboration, and study in the
UK by two Saudi students of cross-cultural and media issues. In
May 2000, seven Saudi journalists, financed by the FCO's Human
Rights Project Fund, began a BBC World Service training course
on journalistic skills, including independent and objective reporting
practices.
4. Before the UN Commission on Human Rights
met in 2000, British officials again stressed to the Saudi Government
the merits of taking further steps to improve the human rights
situation in Saudi Arabia. The UK again joined EU partners in
calling for such improvements, and for Saudi Arabia to invite
the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers
to visit the Kingdom. The Saudi Arabian Government has now issued
such an invitation. The Saudi Government has also announced the
formation of a number of governmental and non-governmental committees
to protect and promote human rights. Saudi Arabia has since ratified
the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination
Against Women, and most recently, in May 2000, in a further example
of the Kingdom's willingness to engage with UN human rights bodies,
Saudi Arabia sought and gained election for the first time to
the UN Commission on Human Rights.
5. There were human rights development in
other areas during 1999 and 2000. The Majlis al-Shura, Saudi Arabia's
official Consultative Council composed of journalists, academics,
businessmen, and the media, increased their scrutiny and criticism
of Government Ministries and policy. In the Summer of 1999, religious
leaders Shaikhs al-Awda, al-Hawali and al-Umar were released from
detention in Saudi Arabia (they had been arrested in September
1994 during public disturbances.) There were signs of an improved
dialogue between the Saudi authorities and the minority Shia community.
The Saudi Government stimulated a public debate on the role of
women, including their independent status and mobility, and issued
instructions to increase female employment. A relaxation of restrictions
on pilgrims' travel and visas from 2000 was announced. Tourist
visas are now being issued. A number of officially sanctioned
cultural events also took place, reflecting some easing of restrictions
on popular assembly.
6. The British Government welcomes these
developments and hopes that the trend will continue. The British
Government acknowledges the benefits of Saudi Arabia's extensive
and impressive welfare, education and health systems for those
living in the Kingdom. At the same time, the Government remains
concerned about the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia, including
the discrimination against women and non-Muslins, the restrictions
on freedom of expression, movement, assembly and worship, the
implementation of UN human rights instruments, and issues relating
to the judicial process.
7. The Government is firmly committed to
constructive engagement on human rights with Saudi Arabia. It
takes, and will continue to take, every realistic and responsible
step to try to improve matters.
ISRAEL: RULES
OF ORIGIN
The Government is concerned about possible Israeli
violations of the EC-Israel Trade Agreement. As the Committee
is aware, HM Customs and Excise have provided evidence to the
European Commission. The Commission have now asked Member States
to begin verification procedures under the Origin Rules Protocol
for a number of products exported from Israel. HM Customs and
Excise are doing so. We shall continue to assist the Commission
in its investigations and to support continuing dialogue between
the Commission, the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority
on this issue.
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