Sir, – Trade missions are designed to develop trade not to attempt to change the behaviour of the host country. Such attempts could not only frustrate the objective of the trade visit but provide an opportunity for the hosts to underline the flaws in our own society, the clear evidence of which we see daily in the media.
But why stop at human rights? Why not criticise the daily reading of the Koran, the five times a day prayers, polygamous marriages, the prohibition of alcohol and their failure to consume large quantities of Guinness?
There are dangers in conflating trade with politics and human rights. Trade has been used too often as a weapon, mainly with harmful results. There are forums where human rights should be discussed, but a trade mission is not one.
The development of Ireland’s exports is difficult and complex enough without trying to embrace the additional role of morality policeman. – Yours, etc,
COLUM MacDONNELL,
Gowrie Park,
Glenageary,
Co Dublin.