The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) welcomes the decision by Sweden to cancel its arms deal with Saudi Arabia and encourages all other States to follow suit and stand up for human rights.
On 9 March 2015, Saudi Arabia blocked Swedish foreign minister Margot Wallström from speaking about human rights issues at a meeting of the Arab League in Cairo, despite the fact that she had been invited as the Guest of Honour. The following day, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven confirmed the news that Sweden was cancelling its arms trade agreement with Saudi Arabia, a decision made before the Arab League speech was cancelled.
According to Margot Wallström, “The explanation we have been given is that Sweden has highlighted the situation for democracy and human rights, and that is why they do not want me to speak.” Wallström’s canceled speech, which was published on the Swedish Foreign Ministry’s website, highlighted the issues of women’s and human rights, as well as the importance of recognising Palestinian statehood.
The arms trade agreement was first signed in 2005, and was renewed by the previous center-left government five years ago. It was up for renewal again this year. It is reported that the deal gained Swedish firms over SEK 750 million (US$ 86.5 million) in 2013 and SEK 338 million (US$ 39 million) in 2014.
The human rights situation in Saudi Arabia is critical. Human rights defenders are increasingly subjected to arrest, trials, lengthy sentences and harassment as a result of their peaceful activities. Many remain in detention where they are subjected to ongoing ill-treatment at the hands of state authorities. The rights of women and girls continue to be violated and women human rights defenders are being increasingly targeted, particularly those advocating for women’s right to drive. Furthermore, there has been a crackdown on on-line activists for expressing their right to freedom of opinion and expression.
It is within this context that we welcome Sweden’s decision to sever the arms deal agreement. We urge other countries to follow Sweden’s example and to ensure that they put human rights at the core of their relationship with Saudi Arabia. We encourage all States to use every opportunity at European and international levels to insist that Saudi authorities release dozens of human rights defenders, ensure equal rights for women and guarantee the promotion and protection of human rights for all.
We recall the United Nations Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly on 9 December 1998, which recognises the legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders, their right to freedom of association and to carry out their activities without fear of reprisals. We would particularly draw your attention to Article 12 (2): “The State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present declaration.”
