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<p>Our close relationship with Saudi Arabia allows us to raise our concerns about
human rights, including on political detainees and use of the death penalty, in private
and in public. The Prime Minister addressed the issue of women's rights and further
developments needed in that area in his recent discussions with the Crown Prince.</p><p>The
UK strongly opposes the death penalty in all countries and in all circumstances, as
a matter of principle. This is especially the case for juveniles and for crimes other
than the most serious. The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa raised the
death penalty with Dr Awwad al Awwad, President of Saudi Arabia's Human Rights Commission,
during his virtual visit in July. I raised the death penalty in a call with Dr Awwad
in June.</p><p>We have consistently raised concerns over the continued detention of
women's rights defenders at senior levels with the Saudi authorities. The UK signed
a statement at the UN Human Rights Council on 15 September, calling for the release
of women's rights defenders. I raised women's rights defenders during my call with
Dr Awwad in June. The Minister for the Middle East most recently raised the women's
rights defenders' cases with the Saudi Ambassador to the UK on 16 November.</p><p>We
remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Yemen, which is a human
rights priority country for the UK. We call on all parties to facilitate unhindered
access for humanitarian actors and agencies and ensure that humanitarian workers are
able to conduct their work safely and without harm.</p>
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