Dominic Raab will visit Saudi Arabia for the first time in his capacity as foreign secretary, where he will “engage” with the country’s government on numerous issues, including its human rights record.
The Saudi regime has been accused by human rights campaigners of allowing political opponents to be tortured, and faces ongoing scrutiny over the unresolved murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi back in October 2018, which took place in the Saudi embassy in Istanbul.
Raab is due to meet with with Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi national security adviser Dr Musaad Al Aiyban, and Yemeni president Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi during his two-day visit.
The Foreign Office said that Raab would use the trip to address issues of “difference”, including “human rights and values”, and furthermore look to “drive progress” on resolving the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and restoring peace in the region.
Ahead of the visit, Raab called for continued co-operation between the UK and Saudi Arabia, crediting the kingdom for its "important role in keeping Britain safe" and alluding to the shared history of collaboration between the countries on economic, security and intelligence issues.
Raab said: "As a valued partner, we have to work closely together to tackle the crisis in Yemen, terrorism and climate change as well as pursuing reform and engaging on human rights issues".
The Yemen conflict has been ongoing for five years. Belligerents include the Yemeni government supported by a Saudi-led coalition, and the rebel Houthi movement backed by Iran.
The war has left 24 million people in need of humanitarian aid and claimed the lives of 7,500 others, according to the United Nations.
In 2019, the UK government suspended the approval of export licences for arms sold to Saudi Arabia, after a legal challenge was issued by the Campaign Against Arms Trade amid claims that the Saudi coalition has indiscriminately killed civilians in Yemen during combat.
