HOLYROOD’S Presiding Officer has been urged to bring up China’s human rights record and the issue of democracy in a meeting with the country’s consul general.
Alison Johnstone was set to meet with the Chinese official today (Wednesday), with Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie writing a letter urging her to speak up.
The party, who Johnstone was an MSP for after the 2021 Holyrood election before standing down to become Presiding Officer, also highlighted the date the meeting is taking place.
This is because the meeting was set to take place on the 36th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, although it has since been postponed.
On June 4 1989, hundreds of protesters were murdered, and thousands injured or arrested by the Chinese military.
In the letter, Harvie said holding these sorts of meetings is “consistent” with Johnstone’s role.
But he added: “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.”
Harvie went on: “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.
“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.”
A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said: ‘The meeting may take place at a later date and the PO will respond to the Member’s letter at the earliest opportunity.’
