100 not out!
27 April 2007
Today Jim Allister MEP, elected in June 2004, made his 100th speech in the European Parliament. Speaking in a debate on human rights issues, Mr Allister focussed on persecution of Christians in Pakistan and China. Such persecution is something he has long pursued with the EU through dozens of parliamentary questions.
In the course of course of his remarks Jim Allister said:-
"In this my 100th speech in this House, I am glad to talk about human rights, something which we all take for granted, but to which millions can only aspire.
As a major player, particularly in trade, the EU has a role to play. We've good on all the platitudes about human rights, but do we see them through? Take China, for example, with whom we facilitate trade, but, frankly, we do little to insist on parallel human rights compliance. We could do more.
Vested interest is no excuse. Nor, is it when it comes to western-friendly Pakistan. There, increasingly savage persecution of Christians is rampant, under the aegis of Islamic extremism, wicked Blasphemy Laws and forced conversions. Here the EU's role is not just ambivalent, in one area it is complicit through the millions of euros which we pour into the madrasses. Many of these schools, like Lalmasjid, are training grounds for Islamic extremism. So why do we keep funding them.
Both in trade agreements and in development aid we need to robustly proof against human rights standards."
Notes to Editors:
1. Since the current EP took office in July 2004 the number of speeches made in the Chamber by the 3 Northern Ireland MEPs is as follows:-
Allister: 100
De Brun: 46
Nicholson: 38
2. In the previous Parliament (1999-2004) the total speeches in the Chamber by Northern Ireland's MEPs over the full 5 years was as follows:-
Paisley: 24
Hume: 12
Nicholson: 51
