To ask Her Majesty's Government whether trade deals in which the UK is partner are conditional on other signatories ensuring the rights of minorities in their countries; and if not, why not.
Answered on
9 July 2018
The UK has long supported the promotion of our values globally.
The EU has included provisions protecting human rights within their trade and political agreements with partner countries. EU Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with developed countries since the EU-South Korea FTA have also included references to the International Labour Organization (ILO) fundamental conventions which provide for the elimination of discrimination at work.
Additionally, the EU’s GSP+ scheme provides enhanced tariff preferences to economically vulnerable developing countries which are effectively implementing 27 international conventions, including on racial and gender discrimination.