To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he (a) has made and (b) plans to make to the Government of Saudi Arabia on discrimination against Shiite citizens of that country, including in the town of Awamiya.
Answered on
12 October 2017
Our Ambassador to Saudi Arabia raised the operation in Awamiyah with the Government of Saudi Arabia on 26 July, including measures to guard against civilian casualties. The Saudi authorities underlined the seriousness it placed on fulfilling its responsibilities to all its citizens, including the Shia. We continue to monitor the situation in Awamiyah closely and we will continue to raise legitimate concerns at every appropriate opportunity. The British Government strongly supports the right to freedom of religion or belief, which is restricted in Saudi Arabia; and thus it remains a Foreign and Commonwealth Office human rights priority country.