@Penguin
Just out of pure curiosity, as you appear to be from the Netherlands, will your parliament after this decision be consistent and ban weapons exports to your Western allies since they have killed many, many (we are talking different galaxies here) civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan than the Saudi Arabian army has killed civilians in its entire history? Or how about your relations on this front with countries such as Israel, Iran, China and basically 100's of other countries?
Also I find it very funny that one of your main reasons for this decision was KSA's execution of 47 convicted terrorists in January who are described as "political opponents". I never knew that Al-Qaeda, ISIS, Shia terrorists and murderers are considered"political" opponents in your country. I wonder if you dare to make similar statements whenever China, USA or other countries execute criminals and terrorists? We all know that such statements will never occur.
Which Western Allies that we export to are you talking about, specifically? You can use post #12 as a starting point.
As for relations with Israel, Iran and China and others, the Dutch government deals with them in their own way (see an example further down below). Obviously we don't sell weapons to Isreal, Iran and China. You do know the difference between foreign policy and arms export policy?
As regards the reasons, see the wording of the parliamentary motion below. I don't see mentioned anything that you claim is mentioned.
Why am I personally expected to predict, explain or defend the decisions of the Dutch parliament, as if I made a decision to ban weapons sales by Dutch to Saudi Arabia, or as if I said I or suggested I was (or was not) in favor of that. I do not appreciate how you attempt to stick this to my person. If you are curious, I suggest you go and see what the text of the parliamentary decision actually is, go and see which parties votes how on the issue of the ban and then do your own analysis. Likewise for Dutch foreign policy in general.
Write a letter to the Dutch Parliament.
_________________________________________________________
22 054 Arms Export Policy
Nr. 271 MOTION FOR MEMBERS OF JASPER DIKE AND Sjoerdsma
Presented March 8, 2016
The House of Representatives,
having heard the deliberations,
whereas Saudi Arabia commits in Yemen cluster deployment and serious war crimes, including as described in the UN reports and human rights organizations;
calls on the government, as long as Saudi Arabia continues to be in violation of the law of war in Yemen, a national license stop for the export and transit of military equipment to Saudi Arabia and to advocate at EU level for the adoption of this policy ,
and proceeds to the order of the day.
Jasper van Dijk
Sjoerdsma
__________________________________________________________
22 054 Arms Export Policy
Nr. 273 MOTION OF THE MEMBER SERVAES
Presented March 8, 2016
The House of Representatives,
having heard the deliberations,
noting that Saudi Arabia is guilty of violations of international humanitarian law in Yemen, including as described in the report of the UN Panel of Experts on Yemen of 22 January, .;
noting that the human rights situation continues to be poor in Saudi Arabia that recently the number of executions has risen sharply and the situation of human rights defenders remains extremely worrying;
whereas the European Common Position (EUGS) on arms exports contains clear criteria which prohibit arms exports as a risk of human rights abuses (Criterion 2), disturbing peace and security in the region (criterion 4) and a lack of respect for international law ( criterion 6);
whereas the European Parliament on 25 February, adopted a resolution calling on the High Representative Mogherini calls to launch an initiative to establish a European arms embargo against Saudi Arabia.;
calls on the government, according to the EU criteria to fully implement the arms export policy and therefore as long as there remains the risk that can be deployed military and dual-usegoederen for violations of human rights and humanitarian law, no licenses for these goods approve to Saudi Arabia;
Calls on the government also, in line with the initiative note «Weapons and Principles" expressed ambitions for a harmonized European arms export policy, call on other Member States and to encourage to the same strict scrutiny of the EU criteria for arms exports to Saudi Arabia,
and proceeds to the order of the day.
Servaes
On DUAL USE items to Israel:
As part of the same package as the above, the government is called upon as follows:
__________________________________________________________
22 054 Arms Export Policy
Nr. 272 MOTION FOR A MEMBER OF JASPER DIKE
Presented March 8, 2016
The House of Representatives,
having heard the deliberations,
whereas the
Israeli government expects that any violence means only being implemented in accordance with international law;
whereas from the Netherlands service dogs are used by the Israeli army in violation of international law;
calls on the Government to ensure the service dogs from the Netherlands no longer be used by the Israeli army in violation of international law,
and proceeds to the order of the day.
Jasper van Dijk
_____________________________________________________
22 054 Arms Export Policy
Nr. 268 LETTER FROM THE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION
To the President of the House of Representatives
The Hague, February 9, 2016
During question time on 27 October, the member suggested Hachchi (Proceedings II 2015/16, No 16, item 4 Question:. Questions Hachchi) the supply of Dutch dogs to the army of Israel raised. I promised that the House will be discussed with the company refers concerned about social responsibility and that any export measures with EU Member States. This House received on January 13, 2016 report (22 054, no. 267). I also undertook to examine whether national legislation based on the EU's dual-use regulation is possible. With this letter I inform you of this final commitment.
juridical
Trade measures are among the EU's exclusive competence. The Dual-use Regulation provides for the possibility for Member States to adopt national trade measures against goods that are not on the checklists thereto. The Legal Service of the European Commission was consulted, in particular on whether service dogs that are used to fall under the supervision of military personnel under the Dual-use Regulation.
The legal opinion of the European Commission states that service dogs are civil in nature, even if they are accompanied by soldiers. Earlier known as consultation with European partners showed that a majority of Member States does not consider the use of dogs as military purposes within the meaning of the Dual-use Regulation. It is settled case law of the European Court of Justice ruled that provisions allowing national action in derogation of the common commercial policy should be limited explained. Therefore service dogs are not within the exception in the Dual-use Regulation, which authorizes Member States to adopt national trade measures.
exist individual EU regulations for trade measures against repression and foltermiddelen. For example, water cannons, stun guns and some crippling gas, regardless of the user, even if military well qualified, but exports thereof may be controlled by sanctions regulations. This is the case with regard to Syria (Regulation 697/2013). In addition, there is a general anti-torture regulation providing for export controls on foltermiddelen. the House was previously informed about the revision of the Regulation (Parliamentary 21 212, no. 1842). This revision is now in the stage of the trialogue between the Council, Parliament and Commission. Unlike the Council, the European Parliament affirms its support of the inclusion of a catch-all provision in the regulation, which might possibly apply to the use of dogs.
To see whether dogs can be brought under export control, also have taken place with the Ministry of Economic Affairs on the scheme aggressive animals in 1993, mainly looked at the control of pit bull-like. This regulation was not enforceable and is therefore withdrawn in 2009. Designating varieties or describing "aggressive animals" has proved unworkable because appearance but limited offer guidance and crossings are difficult to define. Moreover, the same type of dog can be used for assistance and search and rescue work as police.
Conclusion
The government follows the advice of the European Commission that the dual-use regulation provides no legal basis for export restrictive measures in respect of service dogs.
The government remains concerned about the ongoing violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories. The government condemned the attacks on innocent civilians, and expects the authorities proportionally act against this violence. The government expects this that any violent means will only be used in accordance with international law, particularly the rules of occupation law and human rights. This assessment is closely related to the assessment of the security situation on the ground. It is tripped company mentioned in the media on his social responsibility and give follow-up to that.
The government also stresses the need for Israel to make credible investigation into their own action to make sure this really happened in all cases, to visualize the outcomes and needed to be taken. The current context of ongoing violence leads to closely follow the situation and critical.
The Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, E.M.J. Ploumen
If you are interested, see what other questions were asked/answered during this particular arms export discussion in the Dutch parliament.
Wapenexportbeleid; Lijst van vragen en antwoorden; Lijst van vragen en antwoorden over aanbieding rapport 'Het Nederlandse wapenexportbeleid in 2014'
On a different note (going from [arms] trade to foreign policy > different minister)
32 735 Human Rights in foreign policy
Nr. 150 LETTER FROM THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
To the President of the House of Representatives
The Hague, March 16, 2016
I would like to present you with the response to the request of the Permanent Committee on Foreign Affairs on March 15, 2016 on a request from the member Sjoerdsma a supplementary letter of Saudi Arabia comprising the Minister of Defence during Question 1 December jl. promised answers (Proceedings II 2015/16, no. 31, item 4).
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, A.G. Koenders
Situation of people condemned to death and summon the Saudi ambassador
In December 2015 there were reports in Saudi media about planned executions in Saudi Arabia. On January 2, 2016 was the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Saudi Arabia announced that 47 people who were convicted of terrorism were executed. The executions affected 43 Sunnis who were allied according to Saudi Arabia to Al Qaeda, and mainly convicted of fatalities attacks in Saudi Arabia during the period 2003/2004. In addition, four Shiites were executed. They were convicted of substantially lighter offenses, based on the stricter terrorism legislation that criticized the monarchy and inciting states to criminalize protest. Among them was the Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr. According to the Saudi authorities were also the four Shia responsible for violence in which people were killed.
The government regrets this very mass execution.
Netherlands remains in all cases against the death penalty, and this also contributes internationally, together with EU partners.
The fact that Saudi Arabia has carried out executions of a number of persons who admittedly was involved in inciting militant protests, but also seem to have no direct involvement in specific acts of terrorism with fatalities, in addition to the mass executions, another worrying development from the viewpoint of respect for human rights, as well as from the interest to stem the growing sectarianism in the region. The government is concerned about the violation of the Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran in response to the killings and subsequent further escalation of tensions in the region. The region is also the wider international community to play a de-escalating role.
Partly on the insistence of the Netherlands, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a statement and is co-commissioned by its EU counterparts in contact with interested parties in an effort to de-escalation. Netherlands supports her in this and is also in contact with other countries on other possibilities for de-escalation. The Netherlands, also known as EU president, supported the statement by the EU High Representative. That statement suggests that
the EU rejects the death penalty in all cases, and that the EU especially n.a.v. the specific case of Nimr al-Nimr has serious concerns about freedom of expression and respect for basic freedoms in the field of civil and political rights. These should always be monitored in the context of the fight against terrorism. It also has the rights ambassador stressed during his visit to Saudi Arabia.
Earlier, the Netherlands several times at the Saudi authorities expressed concern about the reports of the imminent executions in both conversations of the ambassador in Riyadh and in contact with the embassy of Saudi Arabia in The Hague. Also regularly with the Saudi authorities discuss individual cases, including the case of Nimr al-Nimr. The EU and other countries on this subject have been in contact with Saudi Arabia. Although the ambassador of Saudi Arabia in the Netherlands itself recently has not been summoned to the ministry, the diplomatic contacts with the embassy of Saudi Arabia are intensively used to worry about living in the Netherlands. The government is very disappointed that our concerns and discussions about it have not led to another penalty provision.
Questions by the member Ten Broeke (VVD) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs about the execution of 47 people by Saudi Arabia (submitted January 4, 2016). + Answer by Minister Koenders (Foreign Affairs) (Received January 25, 2016).
Question 1
Are you familiar with the message "Saudi Arabia executes 47 people"? 1
Answer 1
Yes.
Question 2
How do you assess this mass execution by Saudi Arabia? Is it true that this is the biggest execution by Saudi Arabia since 1980? What consequences can associate with that, whether at European level?
Answer 2
The government regrets the 47 executions that have taken place strongly Saturday, January 2nd, 2016. Since 1980 Saudi Arabia has not so many people were executed at once. Partly as EU president Netherlands has directly called for an EU statement which the mass execution convicted.
Netherlands remains in all cases against the death penalty and this also contributes internationally. Saudi Arabia is not only done executions of people convicted of terrorist attacks, but also four Shiite people. They had been involved in inciting militant protests, but look no further involvement to have had with specific acts of terrorism. This is in addition to the mass executions another worrying development from the viewpoint of respect for human rights, as well as from the interest to stem the growing sectarianism in the region.
Question 3
What actions Netherlands undertakes specifically in the position of current member of the UN Human Rights Council in response to this mass execution? Netherlands has in this context made representations to the government of Saudi Arabia? Like an explanation.
Answer 3
Combating the death penalty is one of the priorities of the Dutch human rights policy. In this context asks UK for a continuous attention to and speaking countries controlled by a worrisome human rights situation in both Attn the general situation and on individual cases. The Netherlands will continue to do so in the coming sessions of the Human Rights Council and in cooperation with UN special rapporteurs.
Question 4
How do you reconcile the execution of the role of the Saudi Faisal Trad, the Saudi ambassador to the UN in Geneva, as head of the UN Human Rights Council? How has responded to this event by the UN and has thereby established a link Trad's role Faisal? If not, why not?
Answer 4
The Secretary-General of the United Nations (UNSG) has strongly condemned the mass execution and called for the preservation of peace. The Secretary-General also met with both the Saudi and Iranian Foreign Ministers. The High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid al Hussein has strongly condemned the executions in Saudi Arabia. Ambassador Faisal Trad, as stated in answer to a previous Parliamentary questions (submitted on September 23, 2015 with reference 2015Z17148), not named as chairman of the Human Rights Council, but from its regional group appointed chairman of an advisory human rights council.
Question 5
How do you assess in particular the execution of the Shia cleric, Nimr al-Nimr, since they have been associated with protests against the Saudi government but never called for violence? Do you consider it unlikely that a Shia cleric has something to do with Al-Qaeda linked terrorism, which have been accused many of the other executed? Like an explanation.
Answer 5
Prominent Shiite spiritual leader Nimr al-Nimr was arrested in 2012 and charged during his arrest include armed resistance and subsequently convicted under the 2014 tightened terrorism legislation. The specific case of Nimr al-Nimr raises many questions about the broad interpretation of terrorism under the Terrorism law in Saudi Arabia. The evidence in the case of al-Nimr are not made public. Nimr al Nimr was not associated with the Saudi authorities to al-Qaeda affiliated terror.
Question 6 and 7
How do you assess the risks of further escalation in the region, particularly between Saudi Arabia and Iran, now Iran has reacted angrily to the execution of the Shiite leader al-Nimr Nimr2 and this has led to protests in Bahrain? What will the Netherlands in European and UN level to contain this escalation? Like an explanation.
The negative effects of this development according to you for the Netherlands and Europe strategic issues in the region such as the fight against ISIS in Syria and Iraq and the increasing tensions between Sunnis and Shiites? What can the Netherlands, whether at European level do to mitigate these negative effects?
Answer 6 and 7
The relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iran are partly due to the mass execution also come under pressure. This has, among other things expressed in the storming of the Saudi embassy and the breaking of diplomatic relations. The government is concerned about these developments and their impact on the situation in the region. In a separate letter to the Second Chamber is here given further interpretation and analysis about.
These developments are cause for the international community to call on both sides to de-escalation, to reduce tensions and restore the dialogue. The High Representative is in contact with both sides in an attempt to de-escalation. The government supports any effort aimed at de-escalation, and will continue to advocate at EU level here. It is important that the EU is not a party chooses in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Question 8
Do you agree that these killings are part of a broader, undesirable development with cautious democratic reforms partly reversed by Saudi Arabia? How do you in this regard such as the new terrorism law, which is significantly different from draft legislation from 2011 and making according to Amnesty International violation of human rights by terrorism so broad definition that it is possible to pursue very broad and selective under this law? What can you see Netherlands to inhibit this undesirable trend or reversal?
Answer 8
Saudi Arabia has a policy of cautious and gradual social reforms. The 2014 tightened terrorism legislation does not contribute positively to the desired reforms, because fundamental freedoms restricted by certain statements and inciting opposition also qualify as terrorism for which the death penalty can be imposed. At EU level and bilaterally Netherlands has therefore last year responded to this legislation. The government will continue to carry out the constitutional principles that the Dutch law relies on. Netherlands advocates a greater role for the EU in this field. Netherlands will examine how the EU can shape a dialogue with Saudi Arabia. A consultation between the EU and Saudi Arabia belong as regards the government of the possibilities.
actions
Questions from the members Van Bommel (SP) and Sjoerdsma (D66) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of executions in Saudi Arabia (submitted January 4, 2016). + Answer by Minister Koenders (Foreign Affairs) (Received January 25, 2016).
Question 1
Do you see the message "Mass executions in Saudi Arabia»? 1
Answer 1
Yes.
Question 2
Is it true that convicted the 47 executed all because of «terrorism»?
Answer 2
Yes, all are condemned under the tightened terrorism law for terrorism.
Question 3
Is it true that the prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr Baqr who was executed, not for terrorism was arrested in 2012, but for other reasons? 2. If not, what are the facts?
Answer 3
There are few facts known about the arrest of prominent Shiite spiritual leader Nimr al-Nimr. Reportedly he was arrested in 2012 and charged with armed resistance during his arrest and subsequently convicted under the 2014 tightened terrorism legislation.
Question 4
Was there, in your opinion question of due process that ultimately led to this mass execution? Has there been talk of independent observation, in whatever form, of justice?
Answer 4
The government follows developments in human rights very closely. The embassy in Riyadh and other international partners have only limited insight into the judicial process. Processes have taken place over a period of years, even well before the time that foreign observers were allowed to attend hearings. The impression is that the judicial process with regard to the group of 43 Sunnis is made in accordance with local law. The convicts have gone through all stages of legal action. Saudi authorities indicate that this also applies to the four Shia convicts. However, this is impossible to independently determine, because, as far as known, never evidence made public in these matters.
Question 5, 6 and 7
What have you done since the oral questions on December 1, 2015 on a bilateral basis to make your concerns to Saudi Arabia expressed about the high number of death sentences pronounced?
Are you willing to bilaterally to express your concerns about the high number of death sentences put into effect? If not, why not?
Are you prepared to ask the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Policy Mogherini to express its concern about the high number of executions in Saudi Arabia? If not, why not?
Answer questions 5, 6 and 7
Netherlands's principled position against the death penalty and there will always speak, even in Saudi Arabia. Both through political channels and through the embassy have repeatedly expressed concern about human rights and the death penalty. Earlier, the Netherlands several times at the Saudi authorities expressed concern following reports about the imminent mass execution imminent. Also regularly with the Saudi authorities discuss individual cases, including the case of Nimr al-Nimr. The EU and other countries on this subject have been in contact with Saudi Arabia.
The government regrets very much the 47 executions that have taken place in Saudi Arabia. The Netherlands has insisted directly within the EU in a statement by the High Representative to condemn the executions. The statement of the HR was underlined by the Netherlands, also from our role as EU president. As indicated during the budget debate, the Dutch Human Rights Ambassador will soon travel to Saudi Arabia. The recent developments will hereby be discussed with Saudi interlocutors. Netherlands will continue to advocate in the EU for coordinated efforts with regard to the death penalty throughout the world.
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