Ribal Al-Assad welcomes UK Foreign Secretary's intervention on human rights in meetings with the Syrian regime

Middle East Debate, House of Commons

14 Feb 2011 : Hansard Column 721

Sir Malcolm Rifkind (Kensington) (Con): In unreservedly welcoming the Egyptian revolution and similar uprisings elsewhere in the middle east, may I commend the Foreign Secretary, his predecessor and, indeed, the United States Government for insisting on having good working relationships even with autocratic regimes in the middle east which, regardless of their internal affairs which we deplore, have pursued moderate and constructive policies, seeking dialogue with Israel and working in a peaceful way towards a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine? Does the Foreign Secretary agree that any other approach would never have served the best interests of that region?

Foreign Secretary, Mr Hague: I agree with my right hon. and learned Friend. That is the policy he pursued when he held my office. It is important to do that in any practical approach to foreign policy. In fact, I would go a little further than my right hon. and learned Friend, as it is also important to have some kind of dialogue with autocratic regimes even when they have not always pursued moderate and sensible policies. As I mentioned, I visited Syria just over two weeks ago, where, of course, we disagreed. I disagreed in our meetings with President Assad about Syria's relationship with Iran, about the country's human rights record and the about the situation in Lebanon. Even with such countries, however, it is important to have dialogue. Diplomacy in foreign policy is not just about talking to people with whom we agree.

Commenting on the Foreign Secretary's statement,ODFS Director Ribal Al-Assad, said:

"I called on the Foreign Secretary to raise human rights issues and Iran in an open letter, when he arrived in Syria. Therefore I welcome his direct intervention on these issues in meetings with the Syrian regime. I am delighted that he has informed the regime that he disagrees with it on its human rights records and its relationship with Iran.

"I again call on the Syrian regime to end its state of emergency, release all political prisoners, allow political parties independent of the state to exist and flourish, release its iron grip on the media and internet, allow freedom of expression and association, root out state corruption and allow the voices of the people to be heard.”