David Cameron Talks of getting tough on Countries who receive Foreign aid and persist with Human Right abuses.

In a remarkably frank interview with Andrew Marr on overseas aid to the Commonwealth on Sunday 30th October, David Cameron raised concern over the nature and intensity of Human Rights abuses on Homosexual and Faith/Christian communities living in Commonwealth countries.

The most striking comment that will no doubt bolster campaigners seeking equality and justice in Pakistan openly described an assessment criteria for aid. Mr Cameron said;


“British aid should have more strings attached in terms of do you persecute people for their faith or their Christianity or do you persecute people for their sexuality.”

Describing how Britain is now one of the premier aid givers in the world he spoke of the desire to see the aid used to improve rights for those suffering persecution, at one point stating "it will determine our aid policy".

The BPCA commends David Cameron on this recent stance which is commensurate with the petition we submitted to 10 Downing Street.  The manner in which David Cameron spoke suggests a much stronger stance will be implemented when assessing foreign aid distribution with a clear link to human rights performance.  This is a small step to what we believe will become a significant lever for change in Pakistan.

You can view our previously submitted 10 Downing Street petition here:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/5009

You can still sign our global petition for a review of  British foreign aid budget to Pakistan here:

http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/noukaidtopakistan

View the BBC interview here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/andrew_marr_show/default.stm