The Chinese ambassador Fu Ying has been summoned to the Foreign Office amid a growing row between the UK and China over the execution of a British man.
Akmal Shaikh, 53, a father-of-three from London, was executed in China after being convicted of drug smuggling despite claims he was mentally ill.
Foreign Office Minister Ivan Lewis told the ambassador "China had failed in its basic human rights responsibilities".
The Chinese Embassy said Mr Shaikh had no previous record of mental illness.
Mr Lewis said after the meeting: "I had a difficult conversation with the Chinese Ambassador today.
Foreign Office Minister Ivan Lewis: 'Mr Shaikh had mental health problems'
"I made clear that the execution of Mr Shaikh was totally unacceptable and that China had failed in its basic human rights responsibilities in this case, in particular that China's court had not considered the representations made about Mr Shaikh's mental condition.
Even though I'd like the UK to pursue friendly relations with China, I can't help but feel that I'm satisfied Gordon Brown is standing up for what he believes in and that the UK is not afraid to exercise its principals in the face of global powers like China. I also believe the Chinese were wrong to execute this man as he had mental conditions.
Of course this man is British, he was legally recognized as such. Anyone who wasn't born in a country yet earns citizenship in that country also becomes a citizen of that country.
Of course this man is British, he was legally recognized as such. Anyone who wasn't born in a country yet earns citizenship in that country also becomes a citizen of that country.
Earn? British citizenship isn't earned, it's given away by the the current liberal party of Labour. British citizenship should be earned through the armed forces or through some sort of devotion to Britain. The Ghurkas deserve immediate citizenship.
However, this does not make them "British" but is a reward of residence and entitlement of the same benefits as a Briton. If they were born outside of Britain then he/she will never be British and that does include foreign-born children to British parents though they would likely follow their parent's traditions. I know my view will peeve a few off in here especially foreign British citizens....
The guy executed in China was not British but Pakistani with a British citizenship freebie.
Earn? British citizenship isn't earned, it's given away by the the current liberal party of Labour. British citizenship should be earned through the armed forces or through some sort of devotion to Britain. The Ghurkas deserve immediate citizenship.
However, this does not make them "British" but is a reward of residence and entitlement of the same benefits as a Briton. If they were born outside of Britain then he/she will never be British and that does include foreign-born children to British parents though they would likely follow their parent's traditions. I know my view will peeve a few off in here especially foreign British citizens....
This has steered off topic...
To be honest British does not mean anything to me, nor does Pakistani. I just consider myself a human being. As long as I don't commit crime in the UK, comply with its laws and behave myself, eventually pay taxes, then I consider that should be enough to be considered as a loyal citizen. Not causing any problems to the government or its people. I will not however blindly support any government decision. Even if I was living in Pakistan or an Islamic state, I would not be loyal to the government if they were taking a decision which I regard as immoral.
I was looking at myself talking to myself and I realized this conversation...I was having with myself looking at myself was a conversation with myself that I needed to have with myself.
There are few grades in mental illness. Mad is classified as high grade mental illness, and a mad person is free from punishment. Bad temper is also classified as mental illness but in low grade, and a person in bad temper is not free from punishment.
The question is : Which grade is Akmal Shaikh's mental illness ?.
I live in a country where you literally can buy drugs in a store and if you want stronger "stuff" you can always go to those men (sometimes kids) who are standing in every corner of the street.
It could be Amsterdam...? There are a few places that have relaxed laws on drugs. In Amsterdam I hear you can purchase cannabis behind the counter in a cafe. Cannabis is a legal substance and it's permissable to smoke it in the streets.
Hey there! Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
When you create an account, we remember exactly what you've read, so you always come right back where you left off. You also get notifications, here and via email, whenever new posts are made. And you can like posts and share your thoughts. Sign Up
Quote
Hide
Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
Bookmarks