In recent years, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries have begun to play an increasingly prominent role in international trade. This change is mainly due to the socio-economic transformation that many of these countries are undergoing. However, this progress often serves to conceal the constant human rights abuses and repression that take place within these countries. For this reason, the fact that many countries around the world are conducting important negotiations with GCC countries means that they, too, are complicit in these abuses.

Among the various countries negotiating with the GCC is the United Kingdom. The latter has been in talks with the Council for some time regarding the establishment of a Free Trade Agreement, which would broaden the horizons of relations between the countries involved. However, since its inception, the possibility of this Agreement becoming a reality has been met with concern by many human rights organizations.

It is well known that Gulf countries have a very poor human rights record, including in the area of workers’ rights. In Saudi Arabia, for example, there has been much talk about the abuses suffered by workers on construction sites for the 2034 FIFA World Cup or the NEOM Project. In Qatar and the UAE, on the other hand, many workers are forced to work for hours under the scorching desert sun without the possibility of resting in the shade. Finally, there is the problem of kafala, the system in place in Gulf countries that binds workers inextricably to their employers, effectively turning them into modern slaves.

However, these issues do not seem to be deterring the UK from completing its negotiations with the GCC countries. This is nothing new for the UK, as it has already provided aid to Gulf countries that have led to human rights violations. One example is the £23 billion worth of arms that the UK sold to Saudi Arabia during the latter’s war against Yemen. Furthermore, the report containing the UK’s strategic approach to the creation of an FTA with the GCC does not contain any clear indication regarding human rights. Finally, it should also be noted that neither the United Kingdom nor the GCC countries have ratified the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

In light of all this, the British government has already been questioned several times about the human rights abuses that such an agreement could lead to. Furthermore, many human rights organisations have taken action to ensure that the British government considers, before signing this agreement, introducing a section that defines how human rights should be protected both by the UK and by the GCC countries. Only under these conditions, therefore, would the creation of such an agreement be acceptable.

Despite constant requests and concerns raised, however, the British government does not seem willing to introduce the necessary safeguards. On the contrary, discussions with the GCC continue without much being revealed, and it seems that ratification of this agreement is increasingly likely. Without the necessary safeguards, however, this agreement would only make the UK once again complicit in the human rights abuses that these countries continue to commit.

In any case, there are many other countries that are ready to do business with the GCC and are discussing or have already made agreements or investments in the Gulf. In doing so, however, they are becoming complicit in the abuses that take place there. Although the evidence is constantly being denied, it is important to continue to speak out and highlight these incidents in order to push these governments to take a tougher stance towards the GCC and not be fooled by their propaganda.

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