Human Rights

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for International Relations and Welsh Language – in the Senedd at 2:21 pm on 8 January 2020.

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Photo of Huw Irranca-Davies Huw Irranca-Davies Labour 2:21, 8 January 2020

Where I would agree with Darren is that all Governments—this Government, the UK Government, the European Union, all Governments—should, as appropriate, make sure that they are raising issues of human rights with any nation—any and all nations. But it's as appropriate, and part of that, I have to say, has to be to do with developing links where you can have those conversations as well.

What I would like to ask—it's an issue I've raised before, but I haven’t quite yet had the clarity that I'm seeking—is on, in future, wider international affairs, and particularly in future trade deals, where I do have a worry that we are going to see watered-down commitments, Darren, to human rights, because, in effect we've seen it, indeed, in the Vietnam agreements, where what was legally binding under the European Union's legally binding and legally enforceable human rights obligations are now parked into a form of words alongside it. So, could I seek clarification that the voice of the Welsh Government through the Minister will be made clear that we want to see binding human rights obligations on any future trade deals, whether with the USA, whether with Vietnam, whether with anybody? And that will need an understanding from the UK Government that they will force that issue.