Labour is calling on the Government to end all discussions on judicial cooperation with Saudi Arabia and to publish the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the UK Secretary of State for Justice and the Saudi Minister of Justice on 10 September 2014. 

This comes in response to the mass executions carried out by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 1 January and concerns these cases raise about due process and fair trial in the Saudi judicial system.

Andy Slaughter MP, Labour’s Shadow Human Rights Minister, said:

“It is not right that the UK should be actively cooperating with a justice system that shows such flagrant disregard for the most basic human rights and the rule of law.  Cancelling the prison contract last year and disbanding the Ministry of Justice unit that negotiated it has had no effect on discussions on wider judicial cooperation which are continuing through the British Embassy in Riyadh.  

“These should cease immediately and the Government should publish the Memorandum and disclose the full nature of British support and advice on justice issues to the Saudi regime.”