Großbritannien

[Shahab3]

Human rights groups demand review of trade with corrupt regimes

Call for action follows concerns over Prince Andrew's dealings with despotic leaders
The Observer, Sunday 13 March 2011
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Signs that the pressure may be getting to Buckingham Palace emerged yesterday when the prince pulled out of a controversial trip to Saudi Arabia this week, citing security concerns rather than the media criticism. Pressing questions remain over a private meeting between Prince Andrew and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2008 amid evidence of a close relationship with the country and UKTI, including an office in Tripoli. The prince has also faced allegations that he has a "very close" friendship with Saif Gaddafi, son of the Libyan leader, and that he met a convicted gun smuggler from the north African state.

Natasha Schmidt, assistant editor of Index on Censorship, said people were angered by links between the UK's special trade envoy and the president of Azerbaijan, whose country is one of the most corrupt in the world. Prince Andrew is last known to have lobbied for Azerbaijan six days ago, despite allegations involving torture of political opponents and rigged elections by President Ilham Aliyev's regime.

"It is absolutely appalling that a member of our royal family would have such close links with Aliyev, an authoritarian ruler who has shown himself to be completely intolerant to criticism and is an enemy of free speech," she said.
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