Presiding Officer must speak up for human rights and democracy
The Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament must raise vital issues of democracy and human rights with the Chinese consul general at a meeting on Wednesday, Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP has made clear in a letter to the Presiding Officer.
The meeting between the Presiding Officer and the Consul General takes place on the 36th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, where hundreds of protesters were murdered, and thousands injured or arrested by the Chinese military.
The Scottish Parliament has a history of supporting democracy and human rights around the world and in China.
In the letter to the Presiding Officer Mr Harvie said:
“Holding such meetings is of course consistent with your role, under standing order 3.1(d), to represent the Parliament in discussions and exchanges with external bodies including overseas governments. From time to time this will involve meetings with non-democratic regimes including those with extremely troubling human rights records.
“Where such meetings are required, I would trust that the human rights issues are always addressed directly in discussions. This is not only important in relation to inter-governmental meetings; as a democratic body it is important that the Parliament itself speaks up for democratic values, especially when meeting with regimes which suppress pro-democracy movements.
“Additionally, in this particular instance I am sure you will also be aware that today is the anniversary of the anti-democratic violence generally known as the Tiananmen Square massacre. I was extremely surprised that this particular meeting should have been timed to coincide with the anniversary of such a violent assault against pro-democracy campaigners.”
Mr Harvie added:
“I am asking for your assurance that you have made clear, or that you will make clear, to the Consul General the Scottish Parliament’s commitment to human rights and democracy, and the international community’s longstanding call for a re-evaluation of the Chinese Government’s position on the use of excessive and lethal force against legitimate protest on June 4th 1989, including justice for the perpetrators and reparations for the victims.”
Text of letter to Presiding Officer from Patrick Harvie MSP
Dear Presiding Officer,
I note the following entry in the regular list of IRO supported inward visits:
Wednesday 4 June: Consul General of China, meeting with Presiding Officer
Holding such meetings is of course consistent with your role, under standing order 3.1(d), to represent the Parliament in discussions and exchanges with external bodies including overseas governments. From time to time this will involve meetings with non-democratic regimes including those with extremely troubling human rights records. Where such meetings are required, I would trust that the human rights issues are always addressed directly in discussions. This is not only important in relation to inter-governmental meetings; as a democratic body it is important that the Parliament itself speaks up for democratic values, especially when meeting with regimes which suppress pro-democracy movements.
Additionally, in this particular instance I am sure you will also be aware that today is the anniversary of the anti-democratic violence generally known as the Tiananmen Square massacre. I was extremely surprised that this particular meeting should have been timed to coincide with the anniversary of such a violent assault against pro-democracy campaigners.
At this point I do not know whether the meeting has already taken place or is due later today. In either case, I am asking for your assurance that you have made clear, or that you will make clear, to the Consul General the Scottish Parliament’s commitment to human rights and democracy, and the international community’s longstanding call for a re-evaluation of the Chinese Government’s position on the use of excessive and lethal force against legitimate protest on June 4th 1989, including justice for the perpetrators and reparations for the victims.
Kind regards,
Patrick Harvie