interview. David Cameron twists and squirms
as he attempts to defend his government’s support for Saudi Arabia on the UN
Human Rights Council.
17, faces the death penalty for engaging in pro-democracy demonstrations during
the Arab Spring
failed to answer the question during the interview Channel 4, via YouTube
Cameron has repeatedly refused to explain why the British government agreed to
a “squalid” deal with Saudi Arabia, as the country prepares to behead and
crucify a teenager for engaging in pro-democracy protests during the Arab
Spring.
an excruciating interview with Channel
4’s Jon Snow, the Prime Minister floundered for a response when questioned
on the recently
exposed secret deal with the Saudis to allow both nations’ election to the
UN Human Rights Council in 2013.
human rights abusing regimes on earth,” Mr Snow comments.
PM claimed he would attempt to personally raise the case of Ali Mohammed
al-Nimr, a 17-year-old teenager arrested when he was 14 who faces the death
penalty, but only if there was an “opportunity” with Saudi authorities.
oppose the death penalty anywhere and everywhere in all our international
contacts,” Mr Cameron added.
Saudi Arabia over imminent beheading and crucifixion of alleged protester
three times by Mr Snow why – if Mr Cameron “completely disagreed” with the
repressive state over their “punishment routines” as he claimed earlier – the
UK had agreed to the deal with the Saudi government the PM claimed: “Well, I’ve
answered the question.”
that isn’t an answer is it? I mean we have done a horrid deal,” Mr Snow
responds.
the Conservative leader claimed it was because the British government has “a
relationship with Saudi Arabia.”
“The reason we have the relationship is our own national security.
There was one occasion since I’ve been prime minister where a bomb that would
have potentially blown up over Britain was stopped because of intelligence we
got from Saudi Arabia.”
“Of course it would be easier for me to come on your programme and say: ‘I’m
not having anything
to do with these people, it’s all terribly difficult
etcetera etcetera.’ For me, Britain’s national security and our people’s
security comes first,” he added.
Wikileaks released documents this week purporting to show the UK and Saudi
Arabia supported each nation’s election the UN Human Rights Council in 2013.
Both countries were later elected to the 47-member council until 2016.
Human rights organisation have decried Saudi authorities decision to kill Mr
al-Nimr, with Amnesty International describing the teenager’s trial as unfair
and “deeply flawed.”
