Saudi Arabia: Arms Trade

(asked on 20th May 2019) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the Written Statement of 25 March 2014 on Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, what effect the killing of Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Arabian embassy in Turkey on 2 October 2018 has had on the application of guidance under sub paragraphs (a) and (b) of criteria six to decisions on licensing exports to Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement.


Answered by
Alan Duncan Portrait
Alan Duncan
This question was answered on 23rd May 2019

A licence would not be issued to Saudi Arabia or any other destination if to do so would be inconsistent with any provision of the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. The situation is kept under careful and continual review. As the Foreign Secretary has said, the Government condemns Jamal Khashoggi’s killing in the strongest possible terms. The Government remains clear that anyone found responsible must be held fully accountable. The UK was signatory to the joint statement on 7 March at the United Nations Human Rights Council which reiterated condemnation of the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. The statement called for investigations into the killing to be prompt, effective and thorough, independent and impartial, and transparent.

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