To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had
with the United Nations about the reported detention of Sheikha
Latifa bint Mohammed al-Maktoum of the United Arab Emirates.
(Con)
My Lords, the UK has no direct involvement in this case, but we
are aware of the allegations surrounding Sheikha Latifa bint
Mohammed al-Maktoum. The Office of the UN High Commissioner on
Human Rights has asked the UAE for further information and for
proof of life. We have not had discussions with the UN regarding
this, but we are supportive of the Office of the UN High
Commissioner on Human Rights and will continue to follow
developments closely.
(Non-Afl) [V]
My Lords, following the public statement last month from the
Foreign Secretary that he was looking for proof that Princess
Latifa was still alive, could the Minister indicate what evidence
the Foreign Secretary has now received in relation to this
matter? Have concerns been expressed to the United Arab Emirates
over its questionable human rights record and, if so, has there
been any particular outcome?
(Con)
My Lords, as my right honourable friends the Foreign Secretary
and the Prime Minister have said, this is a concerning case. The
Office of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights has asked for
proof of life from the UAE mission in Geneva. We understand that
the UN is yet to receive a reply, but we will continue to monitor
developments closely. As my right honourable friend the Foreign
Secretary said, we would welcome confirmation that Sheikha Latifa
is alive and well.
(Con) [V]
My Lords, is my noble friend familiar with the account that was
provided last month by Sheikha Latifa about the conduct of Indian
armed forces in her capture and forced return to Dubai, including
the use of tranquillizers and India’s failure to consider her
claim for political asylum? What representations have been made
to India about its lack of transparency or adherence to
international conventions and protocols in its treatment of
refugees and asylum seekers?
(Con)
We are aware of the allegations made by Sheikha Latifa to which
my noble friend refers. If an incident involved a UK-flagged
vessel, it would fall under the UK’s jurisdiction under
international law. However, this alleged incident did not involve
any UK-registered vessels or British nationals, so the UK does
not have a direct involvement in this case.
(Lab)
[V]
Why has the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed, not been prosecuted
for kidnapping his daughter Princess Shamsa from UK jurisdiction
in Cambridge and for continuing to hold hostage his other
daughter, Princess Latifa? Are the Government turning a blind eye
to the many cases of flagrant abuse of women in Dubai because
Sheikh Mohammed is a close friend and ally of Britain with
property here?
(Con)
The noble Lord refers to the case of Sheikha Shamsa. Criminal
matters are a matter for the police. An investigation was
conducted by Cambridgeshire Constabulary, which is of courses
operationally independent, and the Government had no role in that
investigation or its outcome. The UK believes that all states,
including the UAE, need to uphold international human rights
obligations. We have a close relationship with the UAE, which
means that we can raise issues where needed.
(LD)
My Lords, the Integrated Review says that we will
“shape the international order of the future”
and that global Britain is showing
“a renewed commitment to the UK as a force for good in the
world”.
Does that include defending the rights of women and girls in the
UAE? The Minister appears to be saying that we have not raised
this case with the Government of the UAE.
(Con)
My Lords, the Integrated Review indeed sets out, as does my right
honourable friend the Foreign Secretary’s speech today in Aspen,
how we want the UK to be a force for good in the world, defending
democracy and human rights. In this case, we are raising the
matter through the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights and we
continue to follow developments closely.
(Lab)
My Lords, my noble friend mentioned
the wider abuse of women in the UAE. I draw particular attention
to its labour law, which excludes from its protection domestic
workers, who have faced a range of abuses, including unpaid
wages, confinement to house, work days of up to 21 hours and
physical and sexual assault. What are the Government doing to
address this issue and raise with the authorities the need to
protect domestic workers?
(Con)
My Lords, one of the pillars of the Integrated Review is our
vision for the UK as a force for good in the world, defending
democracy and human rights, including championing gender
equality. Of course, our world-leading Domestic Abuse Bill sets
an international example and will be further considered on Report
in your Lordships’ House today.
(Non-Afl) [V]
My Lords, this is indeed an unfortunate matter. The UAE is a
friendly and close ally of this country and it is well worth
expending some capital to keep it that way. I have been impressed
by its green policy plans moving forward and hope that the UK can
work closely with it and assist in that regard. Can the Minister
assure noble Lords that every diplomatic effort is being made
satisfactorily to resolve this matter, taking account of course
of the cultural differences that no doubt exist between the two
states?
(Con)
We have a close relationship with the UAE, which means that we
can raise issues directly with it. The noble Lord is right to
refer to the work that it is doing on the environment. The Prime
Minister met Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the Crown
Prince of Abu Dhabi, in December, and they agreed to strengthen
our ties across a range of areas, including green technology,
infrastructure and defence.
(LD)
My Lords, last year the judgment in the UK family court case
brought by the sixth and youngest wife of Sheikh Mohammed was
that, on the balance of probabilities, the Sheikh had conducted a
campaign of fear and intimidation against Princess Haya and had
ordered the abduction of his daughters Princesses Shamsa and
Latifa. What representations have our Government made to the
ruler of Dubai that he will make no attempt to remove his former
wife and their children from the UK against their will?
(Con)
The civil court proceeding to which the noble Baroness refers is
a private matter between two individuals and the UK Government
have no involvement in it.
(CB) [V]
My Lords, the noble Baroness, Lady Warsi, referred to reports
that Sheikha Latifa was abducted in international waters with the
help of Indian special forces. If that is the case, would such
action be lawful and has the Foreign Office raised the matter
with the Indian Government?
(Con)
My Lords, as that alleged incident did not involve any
UK-registered vessels or British nationals, it does not fall
under the UK’s jurisdiction under international law. Accordingly,
we have not raised it with the Government of India.
(GP) [V]
My Lords, building on the questions of the noble Baroness, Lady
Northover, and the noble Lord, Lord Collins, I refer to the 80%
of the UAE population who are low-paid migrant workers. What
representations have been made on the fate of what seem to be at
least hundreds of women a year, including rape victims, who are
prosecuted and jailed under the laws against extra-marital sex?
What representations have been made on the impact of those laws
not only on migrant workers, but also on women across the UAE
population generally?
(Con)
My Lords, we have a close relation with UAE and we are therefore
able to raise matters directly with it. The Integrated Review, to
which I have referred, sets out the UK’s policy and stance to
make us a force for good in the world.
