Dear All
One of the problems with human rights is some people don’t understand what human rights are.
This begs the question do we have the right to impose our beliefs on people in other countries to conform to our beliefs of fairness and equality?
The answer is no.
This has to apply when their views do not conform to what we understand as human rights in Scotland.
The Scottish Government has sparked a diplomatic row over moves to withhold aid from charities in Malawi that discriminate against gay people.
External Affairs Minister Fiona Hyslop has warned voluntary agencies in the African country they must back equal rights to receive a cut of Holyrood’s £3million aid package.
Any group or project that promotes a negative message about homosexuality, which is outlawed in Malawi, will lose out finanically.
Is she right to impose such conditions on what is essentially government aid to Malawi charities?
No.
She isn't respecting the government and organisations of Malawi.
Why should innocent people lose out over the belief system of others?
Did Fiona Hyslop consider the effects on the people who depend on this aid?
In Malawi, gay rights are not recognised as legitimate and people can be arrested.
Leckford Thotho, Malawi’s minister for information and civic education, said;
“We may be poor but money will not force us to legalise these acts of immorality because we are not such a society and we have more pressing human rights abuses than gay rights.”
If the SNP Government withdraws funding that is their right, they are free to do so, it’s their right but it has nothing to do with Malawi human rights.
We do not have the human right to change others beliefs by threat.
A Scottish Government spokesman said;
“We have rigorous monitoring for all the projects we are funding. If a group we were funding was found to be discriminating in any way, we would carefully consider the case for continuing that support.”
One of the problems with human rights is some people don’t understand what human rights are.
This begs the question do we have the right to impose our beliefs on people in other countries to conform to our beliefs of fairness and equality?
The answer is no.
This has to apply when their views do not conform to what we understand as human rights in Scotland.
The Scottish Government has sparked a diplomatic row over moves to withhold aid from charities in Malawi that discriminate against gay people.
External Affairs Minister Fiona Hyslop has warned voluntary agencies in the African country they must back equal rights to receive a cut of Holyrood’s £3million aid package.
Any group or project that promotes a negative message about homosexuality, which is outlawed in Malawi, will lose out finanically.
Is she right to impose such conditions on what is essentially government aid to Malawi charities?
No.
She isn't respecting the government and organisations of Malawi.
Why should innocent people lose out over the belief system of others?
Did Fiona Hyslop consider the effects on the people who depend on this aid?
In Malawi, gay rights are not recognised as legitimate and people can be arrested.
Leckford Thotho, Malawi’s minister for information and civic education, said;
“We may be poor but money will not force us to legalise these acts of immorality because we are not such a society and we have more pressing human rights abuses than gay rights.”
If the SNP Government withdraws funding that is their right, they are free to do so, it’s their right but it has nothing to do with Malawi human rights.
We do not have the human right to change others beliefs by threat.
A Scottish Government spokesman said;
“We have rigorous monitoring for all the projects we are funding. If a group we were funding was found to be discriminating in any way, we would carefully consider the case for continuing that support.”
Before any decision is made, may I recommend an afternoon in the library reading up on human rights for those involved followed by a test!
You can't use human rights to deny others their rights, that isn't what human rights are all about.
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
You can't use human rights to deny others their rights, that isn't what human rights are all about.
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
Well said George.
ReplyDeleteDear Subrosa
ReplyDeleteI am continually surprised by people who think 'I want' equals 'I am entitled to'.
Human Rights is not complicated.
The problem is when people allow their personal agendas to interfer.
Imposed social engineering always fails.
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University