HC Deb 13 March 2001 vol 364 c550W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings have been held with human rights groups in Saudi Arabia by British representatives in Jeddah; and if he will make a statement. [153505]

Mr. Wilson

There are currently no non-governmental human rights groups in Saudi Arabia. At UNHCR 56 a Saudi representative announced Saudi Arabia's intention to establish governmental and non-governmental human rights committees. From discussions between the British Embassy in Riyadh and the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, we understand that details of the governmental committee are being finalised. Progress to establish a non-governmental committee has been slower.

We will continue to raise this issue with the Saudi authorities as part of our dialogue with them on human rights.

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