Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser used his time in a Scottish Government debate to question Alex Salmond’s record on human rights.
In a series of remarks, the Conservative Member highlighted the First Minister’s missed opportunities when visiting China and Qatar.
Speaking in the chamber Murdo Fraser MSP said;
The first example is China. In it we have a very important trading partner, but one in which freedom of speech, of the press, of movement, of religion, of sexuality and of politics are all strictly forbidden. Executions and torture are regularly used by authorities there against those who question the state, and between 5,000 and 8,000 people are executed every year. As members might expect, the UK Government has been very vocal on the issue of Chinese human rights. In 2010, on his first state visit to China, David Cameron made clear his concern about Chinese human rights and established the human rights dialogue between the two Governments, which started in January 2011. That approach won respect from the Chinese.
The First Minister made a state visit to China in 2009, describing it as
“the greatest country on earth.”
He has since made two visits and I can find no record of him on any occasion speaking out about human rights issues in China. Famously, the Scottish Government played down the Dalai Lama’s recent visit to Scotland. The First Minister cold-shouldered him after supposedly coming under pressure from the Chinese authorities. Who mentioned hypocrisy?
The second example is Qatar—a country in which migrant workers are oppressed and homosexuality is illegal and punishable by up to five years imprisonment. Human Rights Watch says that the football world cup that is to be played in Qatar in 2022 will be
“a crucible of exploitation and misery”
for poorly paid and migrant workers. The Amir of Qatar is an active supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood, and it is widely believed that he also funds dissidents in Mali. When the location of the 2022 world cup was announced, the Prime Minister made it clear that football is for everyone and that no one should be excluded based on their race, religion or sexuality. However, when the First Minister visited Qatar, he was full of praise for the country and the “remarkable similarities” between our nations. Again, there was no mention of oppression or human rights. Who mentioned hypocrisy?