WELL done to the Independent today for using its front page to highlight the appalling hypocrisy of this Government in extending the hand of friendship to King Abdullah, the man who heads up one of the most loathsome regimes in the world.
In Saudi Arabia, according to Amnesty International, "Fear and secrecy permeate every aspect of life. Every day the most fundamental human rights of people in Saudi Arabia are being violated."
And, as the Indy points out, in his Labour Party conference speech last month, the Prime Minister declared that he would oppose dictatorship everywhere: "The message should go out to anyone facing persecution from Burma to Zimbabwe ... human rights are universal." He has refused to even attend the same summit as the Zimbabwean dictator, Robert Mugabe.David Cameron has also just promised to put "human rights" at the heart of his "foreign policy vision".
Yet astonishingly both political leaders refuse to make a commitment to even mention human rights to the king. Instead, he will ride in a golden carriage with the Queen, and be guest of honour at a Buckingham Palace banquet. Today is the start of a three-day state visit, funded by the British taxpayer. The decision to lavish large sums and the rare prestige of a state visit on King Abdullah has attracted severe criticism in Westminster, led by Labour's John McDonnell
And, as the Indy points out, in his Labour Party conference speech last month, the Prime Minister declared that he would oppose dictatorship everywhere: "The message should go out to anyone facing persecution from Burma to Zimbabwe ... human rights are universal." He has refused to even attend the same summit as the Zimbabwean dictator, Robert Mugabe.David Cameron has also just promised to put "human rights" at the heart of his "foreign policy vision".
Yet astonishingly both political leaders refuse to make a commitment to even mention human rights to the king. Instead, he will ride in a golden carriage with the Queen, and be guest of honour at a Buckingham Palace banquet. Today is the start of a three-day state visit, funded by the British taxpayer. The decision to lavish large sums and the rare prestige of a state visit on King Abdullah has attracted severe criticism in Westminster, led by Labour's John McDonnell
who says: "We are feting this man because Saudi Arabia controls 25 per cent of the world's oil, and because we sell him billions of pounds' worth of weapons. It is an insult to everything Britain stands for to put these geopolitical concerns ahead of the rights of women, trade unionists and all Saudi people."
Well said, John and I'm sorry I can't make Wednesday night's protest from 6pm outside the Saudi Embassy where the equally feisty MP Katy Clark will be joining trade unionists and socialists protesting at this disgraceful spectacle. An EDM on this matter has been tabled by John McDonnell - so far signed by 21 MPs. Which just isn't good enough, is it? We get weasel words from many in this Govt. And very very few MPs who will even think about putting their heads above the parapet. Thanks to John and Katy for being two we can always count on.
PS: Credit also to Acting Liberal democrat Leader Vince cable, who won't be attending the state banquet.
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