External Affairs

BUILD SCOTLAND’S REPRESENTATION IN EUROPE AND THE WORLD

The Scottish Greens want to see Scotland’s interests and its mission to support peace and the transition to a net-zero economy better represented around the world. This is all the more urgent with Brexit reducing our influence, and the UK government’s continued prioritisation of narrow economic aims that are of limited value to Scotland. The Scottish Government has established an existing network of offices in Beijing, Berlin, Brussels, Dublin, London, Ottawa, Paris and Washington DC. The Scottish Greens will expand these hubs to include Warsaw, Oslo, San Francisco, Atlanta, Delhi, São Paulo, Nairobi and Tokyo.

PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

We oppose the UK Government’s abandonment of its commitment on international development funding, and will urgently make the case for restoring this. Even without being a fully independent state, as a nation with devolved powers Scotland can take a more active role in the international community. To build our influence, contribute to global efforts to address the pandemic, and forward the transition to a net-zero economy, the Scottish Greens will seek for Scotland:

SUPPORT GLOBAL EFFORTS TO ROLL OUT THE COVID VACCINE TO ALL

There will be no end to the Covid-19 pandemic until the spread is under control or eliminated everywhere. Wealthier countries like the UK and Scotland should support equitable international access to vaccines by increasing their financial contribution to the COVAX initiative and sharing excess stockpiled vaccines with less wealthy countries. The UK Government should ensure vaccine manufacturers allocate vaccine supply equitably; share safety, efficacy and manufacturing data with the WHO for review; and transfer technology to international manufacturers to assist a scale up in global supply. Scotland should step up and assist global efforts to roll-out the vaccine by working with partner countries and international organisations such as the World Health Organisation, and support and contribute to the costs of vaccination in Malawi, given our historic partnership.

BE A FORCE FOR PEACE

The Scottish Greens believe in a world free of nuclear weapons.

We will:

• Oppose the housing of nuclear submarines and weapons in Faslane.
• Amend the Marine Scotland Act to ban the movement of nuclear weapons through Scottish waters.
• End government support for businesses involved in the nuclear weapons supply chain.
• Issue prosecution guidance against the enforcement of charges against non-violent activists involved in protests against Faslane base and transport of nuclear weapons on Scottish roads.
• Seek observer status in the UN Office of Disarmament Affairs and the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative.
• Campaign for the establishment of nuclear free zones in Europe and the Middle East.
• Contribute to global efforts to build peace and resolve conflict by committing to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and establish a Scottish Centre for Peace tasked with researching non-violent conflict resolution and hosting international summits, talks & negotiations.

END SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE ARMS INDUSTRY

Over the last 15 years, the Scottish Government has given over £31 million in enterprise funding to companies involved with the arms trade, as well as free business advice and account management services. The corporations supported in this way include major international arms dealers like Raytheon, Leonardo, Thales, and BAE Systems, all of which have made billions in arms sales every year and are amongst the 10 largest arms companies in the world. Products made by Leonardo and Raytheon have been linked to alleged war crimes committed by Turkey and Saudi Arabia, respectively, having been used in bombing campaigns that have killed civilians.

The Scottish Greens believe public funding and support to companies involved in the arms trade is morally wrong and economically unjustified. We will end all Scottish Government support for arms dealers.

STAND UP FOR OPPRESSED PEOPLE

In areas where the Scottish Government already engages in international affairs, such as participation in international organisations or the network of trade offices, we can play our part to stand up for the rights of oppressed people.

The Scottish Greens will:

• Recognise the State of Palestine and support efforts towards a just and peaceful end to the occupation. This will include supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanction campaign against the state of Israel and companies complicit in its illegal occupation.
• Use Scotland’s trade links, including the Government’s office in Beijing, to hold China to account over the persecution of Uighurs, Tibetans, democracy activists in Hong Kong and others.
• Provide direct financial support to the Central Tibetan Administration, recognising their role as legitimate representatives of the Tibetan people.
• Work with our international allies to support a peaceful and just solution to the Syrian conflict which maintains the free, feminist and democratic society established by the Autonomous Administration of North & East Syria.