Angus Row Over Human Rights Abuse Resurfaces

Angus Council has agreed to look into issues surrounding its economic and cultural links to countries with poor human rights records, including the United States.

Councillors have asked chief executive David Sawers to prepare a report on the subject after a row over the council’s twinning agreement with the Chinese province of Yantai resurfaced at a full council meeting.

Liberal Democrat councillors Jennifer and Dick Speirs yesterday voiced their unhappiness with the latest twinning development, which will see a government worker from Yantai join Angus Council’s economic development division for two years.

The council will contribute £300 a month towards the employee’s living costs while on secondment.

The move had been approved by councillors on the strategic policy committee earlier this month but the Lib-Dem councillors used standing orders to voice their dissent about censorship and the use of the death penalty in China.

Mrs Speirs said: “It is our view that this runaway train be brought to a shuddering halt until there is very clear evidence that human rights abuses have stopped.

“We could and should have taken a lead in regularly voicing concerns about violations of the basic human rights of Chinese citizens and in pressing others, including the Scottish Executive, to speak out.

“Of course trade matters, but human rights come first.”

Mrs Speirs’ motion to oppose the secondment was thrown out after winning only three votes of support following a heated, hour-long debate in chambers.

Councillors, however, unanimously agreed to back Ron Scrimgeour’s call for a report into issues surrounding the council’s relations with twin countries which have poor human rights records, in light of the concerns which the Lib-Dems have repeatedly raised.

Forfar Central councillor Mr Scrimgeour said he believed there were other countries, such as the US and Singapore, which have a chequered record on human rights because of their use of the death penalty.

His comments were backed by Montrose Hillside councillor Kitty Ritchie, who said: “We need to build good relationships with other countries for the benefit of Angus residents. We can teach other countries as well as learning from them.”

Amnesty International said they were pleased the subject of human rights was being debated in Angus and added twinning arrangements could be used in a positive way to address human rights issues.

A spokesman said: “We don’t oppose twinning and engaging and investing with countries with poor human rights records.

“We need to talk about raising human rights issues at every available opportunity and a twinning arrangement could be turned round into an opportunity to raise these issues.”

Almost 30 local firms trade with China and the council will promote Angus at a major golf tournament in Shanghai later this year.