Tag: saudi arabia

Bishop of Leeds asks Government about Saudi Arabia – arms sales, reforms and extremism

On 15th November 2017 the Bishop of Leeds, Rt Revd Nick Baines, received  written answers to three questions on Saudi Arabia: on arms exports, reforms, and violent extremism:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds:

(i) To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the value of UK arms exports to Saudi Arabia in (1) 2015, (2) 2016, and (3) 2017.

(ii) To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s recent announcement that he intends to return Saudi Arabia to a path of “moderate Islam”.

(iii) To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the relationship between (1) reports that Saudi Arabia funds organisations that promote a Salafist Wahhabist ideology, and (2) the growth of violent extremism. Continue reading “Bishop of Leeds asks Government about Saudi Arabia – arms sales, reforms and extremism”

Bishop of Leeds asks about British arms sales to Saudi Arabia, radicalisation and religious freedom

On 26th and 27th September, the Bishop of Leeds, Rt Revd Nick Baines, received written answers to four questions of Government about Saudi Arabia: on religious freedom, radicalisation & British arms sales.

(i) To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of freedom of religion or belief in Saudi Arabia.

(ii) To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they made to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Abdel al-Jubeir, when he visited London on 4 September, concerning religious freedom, eliminating discriminatory enforcement of laws against religious minorities, and promoting respect and tolerance for minority Muslim and non-Muslim religious practices and beliefs.

(iii) To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guarantees, if any, they sought from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Abdel al-Jubeir, when he visited London on 4 September, that British arms sales to Saudi Arabia will only be used in accordance with international humanitarian law.

(iv) To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they made to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Abdel al-Jubeir, when he visited London on 4 September, concerning reports of financial and logistical support provided by Saudi Arabia to Daesh and other radical Sunni groups in the Middle East and Asia.  Continue reading “Bishop of Leeds asks about British arms sales to Saudi Arabia, radicalisation and religious freedom”

Archbishop asks Government to press Saudi Arabia to stop executions

O17.06.22 ABCLords2n 18th July 2017, Lord Dholakia asked Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the Government of Saudi Arabia about the imminent execution of fourteen people, including two juveniles. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Rt Revd. Justin Welby, asked a follow-up question. Below is his question and its ministerial response.

The Archbishop of Canterbury: My Lords, as the noble Lord said a few moments ago, we have heard some very balanced and judicious answers, with considerable condemnation and very clear statements. However, surely the depth of our relationship with Saudi Arabia in trade and finance, and the presence of many Saudi Arabians in this country—the long-standing way in which we have been together through war and peace—would indicate that we have the options for significantly more leverage than mere condemnation. I wonder what other measures the Government are taking which involve action as well as condemnation, particularly over this question.

Continue reading “Archbishop asks Government to press Saudi Arabia to stop executions”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government about death penalty and religious freedom in Saudi Arabia

Bp Coventry May 2015On 29th July and 2nd August 2016 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received written answers to questions of Government on capital punishment and religious freedom in Saudi Arabia:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Saudi Arabia about the use of the death penalty against
minors. [HL1354]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made this year to the government of Saudi Arabia regarding the use of beheading and crucifixion as criminal punishments. [HL1355]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the decision by the Specialised Criminal Court in Saudi Arabia to sentence Ali Mohammed Baqir Al-Nimr, Abdullah Al-Zaher and Dawood Al-Marhoon to death by crucifixion for seeking democratic reforms in that country. [HL1357] Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about death penalty and religious freedom in Saudi Arabia”

Bishop of Coventry raises religious freedom in Saudi Arabia

On 30th October 2015 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksowrth, received a written answer to a question on religious freedom in Saudi Arabia.

Bp Coventry May 2015The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of steps taken by Saudi Arabia to revise textbooks, curricula, and teaching methods to remove
content disparaging religions other than Islam. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry raises religious freedom in Saudi Arabia”

Bishops ask Government about religious freedom and death penalty in Saudi Arabia

On 28th October 2015 the Bishops of St Albans and Coventry received written answers to questions of Government on religious freedom in Saudi Arabia and its use of the death penalty.

Bishop of St Albans

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Saudi Arabia concerning the cases of Dawood Hussein al-Marhoon and Abdullah Hasan al-Zaher.  Continue reading “Bishops ask Government about religious freedom and death penalty in Saudi Arabia”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government if it will review UK’s commercial relationship with Saudi Arabia

On the 27th October 2015 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received a written answer to a question about the UK’s commercial relationship with Saudi Arabia.

Bp Coventry May 2015The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will review their commercial relationship with Saudi Arabia in the light of the sentencing of Ali Mohammed al-Nimr to death by crucifixion. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government if it will review UK’s commercial relationship with Saudi Arabia”

Bishop of Bristol asks Government about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record

On 13th October 2015 the Bishop of Bristol, Rt Rev Mike Hill, received answers to two written questions of Government on Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.

Bishop of Bristol June 2015The Lord Bishop of Bristol: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the appointment of Saudi Arabia to head a panel at the UN Human Rights Council. Continue reading “Bishop of Bristol asks Government about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record”

Bishop of Coventry raises case of Ali Mohammed al-Nimr and capital punishment in Saudi Arabia

On 13th October 2015 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Rev Christopher Cocksworth, received written answers to questions on the use of crucifixion as criminal punishment in Saudi Arabia and the case of Ali Mohammed al-Nimr.

13.10 Bishop of CoventryThe Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to Saudi Arabia regarding the use of beheading and crucifixion as criminal punishments.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The British Government opposes the death penalty in all circumstances, especially in cases which do not meet the minimum standards defined by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. We believe it undermines human dignity and there is no evidence that it works as a deterrent. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry raises case of Ali Mohammed al-Nimr and capital punishment in Saudi Arabia”

Bishop of Coventry asks about religious clerics in Saudi Arabia

On 8th July 2015 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received a written reply to a question on Saudi Arabia.

13.10 Bishop of CoventryThe Lord Bishop of Coventry To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the steps taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to combat exclusionary and intolerant interpretations of religious texts by religious clerics. [HL863] Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks about religious clerics in Saudi Arabia”