• Disrupting Power Since 2015
  • Donate
  • Login
Friday, May 16, 2025
  • Login
  • Register
Canary
MEDIA THAT DISRUPTS
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
MANAGE SUBSCRIPTION
SUPPORT
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
Canary
No Result
View All Result

Jeremy Hunt destroys the last shred of his government’s moral authority in one single tweet

Tracy Keeling by Tracy Keeling
29 August 2018
in Global, Trending, UK
Reading Time: 3 mins read
171 1
A A
0
Home Global
320
SHARES
2.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Jeremy Hunt has destroyed the last shred of his government’s moral authority in one single tweet.

The United Nations (UN) produced two damning reports about Myanmar (still often known as Burma) and Yemen on 27 and 28 August. But when Hunt took to Twitter to condemn the UN’s “deeply disturbing” conclusions, he only mentioned one.

Funnily enough, the UK is up to its neck in the conflict Hunt ‘forgot’ to mention. So the selective nature of Hunt’s outrage lets his government off the hook. Thankfully, people who noticed the foreign secretary’s oversight aren’t doing the same.

War crimes

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) called for high ranking officials in Burma’s military, the Tatmadaw, to face an investigation for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes on 27 August. Following a fact-finding mission on violence against the Rohingya in the country over the last year, the UN concluded:

Military necessity would never justify killing indiscriminately, gang raping women, assaulting children, and burning entire villages… The Tatmadaw’s contempt for human life, integrity and freedom, and for international law generally, should be a cause of concern for the entire population.

In response to the UN report, Hunt tweeted:

Deeply disturbing to read UN report on crimes against Rohingya people. There must be never be a hiding place for those who commit these kind of atrocities. Have decided to visit Burma to seek answers at the earliest opportunity

— Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) August 27, 2018

A day later, the UN published accusations of more possible war crimes. This time by all “parties to the conflict” in Yemen. Its group experts claim that bombing largely carried out by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition and the Yemeni government “may amount to war crimes”. It further states that the “severe naval and air restrictions” imposed by the coalition “may amount to international crimes”.

Meanwhile, it says that various parties may also be responsible for arbitrary detentions, torture, rape, sexual violence, the use of child soldiers, and restricting freedom of expression.

But Hunt didn’t condemn these “deeply disturbing” crimes against people in Yemen on Twitter. In fact, this report didn’t even get a mention.

Er, hello?

Observers didn’t let Hunt’s selective outrage go by unnoticed, though:

Meanwhile I don't hear u speaking up for Saudis War crimes against YEMEN people, Why is that, huh?

— NinaChomskyLuchadora #SaveOurNHS #LBOM (@NinaWonderGirl) August 28, 2018

https://twitter.com/oz1889/status/1034102533860610048

https://twitter.com/Stuartmcintyre4/status/1034123942003462145

When are you visiting Yemen???????????

— Frances Hilton #EnoughIsEnough (@Florenceofarabi) August 28, 2018

Of course, there’s a reason why the UK government might choose to avoid criticism of Saudi Arabia: arms sales. In fact, ex-defence secretary Micheal Fallon said as much in 2017. During a Commons Defence Committee session, he said criticism of Saudi Arabia was “not helpful” in securing arms deals with the country. He also urged parliamentarians to do “everything possible to encourage” a deal at the time.

But that’s not the government’s only problem. Because it’s doing much more in the Yemen assault than providing arms. It’s deployed staff for “liaison” in Saudi Arabia’s headquarters, where the regime’s targeting rooms are located. It’s also providing “advice, information and assistance” to the country.

So, if Saudi Arabia is found guilty of war crimes, where does that leave the UK? If Hunt’s government is complicit in the conflict, is it culpable for the crimes too?

Judging from Hunt’s Twitter feed, that’s not a question he’ll be willingly answering anytime soon.

Get Involved!

– Take action with Campaign Against Arms Sales.

– Join The Canary if you appreciate the work we do.

Featured image via Channel 4 News – YouTube

Share128Tweet80
Previous Post

The DWP has been put to shame by the Scottish government. But there’s a catch.

Next Post

In two interviews, John Humphrys shows exactly why people are switching off the BBC’s Today programme

Next Post
John Humphrys and Radio 4 Today programme logo

In two interviews, John Humphrys shows exactly why people are switching off the BBC's Today programme

A collection of homes to rent signs

It's official. The government is forcing people to choose between eating and paying rent.

Twenty pound notes in the shape of a house

The UK got half a trillion pounds richer last year. Here's why that's a disaster.

Police arresting activists protecting Hambach Forest, Germany.

One of Europe's oldest forests is being destroyed and police are arresting the people trying to protect it

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and Jeremy Corbyn

Here's what the ex-chief rabbi gets up to when he's not comparing Corbyn to Enoch Powell

Trump has just sparked another major national security row
Analysis

Trump just sparked another major national security row – not that he cares

by Steve Topple
15 May 2025
The far-right's latest attack on Jeremy Corbyn is its most preposterous yet - with Lee Anderson leading the charge
Analysis

The far-right’s latest attack on Jeremy Corbyn is its most preposterous yet

by James Wright
15 May 2025
Starmer Rwanda deportation plan
Analysis

Just when you thought Starmer couldn’t stoop any lower – he does this

by Ed Sykes
15 May 2025
Jewish anti-Zionists IJAN respond to police ban on protest against Israeli ambassador
Analysis

Jewish anti-Zionists IJAN respond to police ban on protest against Israeli ambassador

by Ed Sykes
15 May 2025
Social Media Activism: How Grassroots Movements Are Gaining Power Online
Lifestyle

Social Media Activism: How Grassroots Movements Are Gaining Power Online

by Nathan Spears
15 May 2025
  • Contact
  • About & FAQ
  • Get our Daily News Email
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

The Canary
PO Box 71199
LONDON
SE20 9EX

Canary Media Ltd – registered in England. Company registration number 09788095.

For guest posting, contact [email protected]

For other enquiries, contact: [email protected]

The Canary is owned and run by independent journalists and volunteers, NOT offshore billionaires.

You can write for us, or support us by making a regular or one-off donation.

© Canary Media Ltd 2024, all rights reserved | Website by Monster | Hosted by Krystal | Privacy Settings

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion

© 2023 Canary - Worker's co-op.

Before you go, have you seen...?

Trump has just sparked another major national security row
Analysis
Steve Topple

Trump just sparked another major national security row – not that he cares

The far-right's latest attack on Jeremy Corbyn is its most preposterous yet - with Lee Anderson leading the charge
Analysis
James Wright

The far-right’s latest attack on Jeremy Corbyn is its most preposterous yet

Starmer Rwanda deportation plan
Analysis
Ed Sykes

Just when you thought Starmer couldn’t stoop any lower – he does this

Jewish anti-Zionists IJAN respond to police ban on protest against Israeli ambassador
Analysis
Ed Sykes

Jewish anti-Zionists IJAN respond to police ban on protest against Israeli ambassador

ADVERTISEMENT
Lifestyle
Nathan Spears

Social Media Activism: How Grassroots Movements Are Gaining Power Online

Travel
Nathan Spears

Best Destinations In Spain For A Couples Holiday

Travel
Nathan Spears

Surviving Long Layovers: A Frequent Traveller’s Guide