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Chamber and committees

Remembering the Humanitarian and Aid Worker, Alan Witcutt

  • Submitted by: Clare Adamson, Motherwell and Wishaw, Scottish National Party.
  • Date lodged: Friday, 05 June 2020
  • Motion type: Standard Motion
  • Motion reference: S5M-21952

That the Parliament notes with sadness the death of the humanitarian aid worker, Alan Witcutt; notes that Alan, a devout Christadelphian, spent his National Service at Polkemmet Colliery in West Lothian after his appeal to be treated as a conscientious objector on religious grounds was rejected; further notes that he, and his wife, Christine, travelled from their Wishaw home to Bosnia with the Scottish charity, Edinburgh Direct Aid, and recognises that Christine was killed by a sniper in Sarajevo in 1993; understands that, following his wife’s death, Alan began delivering talks and sermons on the subject of forgiveness, some of which have been recorded in the National Library of Scotland; acknowledges that the family's tragic Bosnian experience has been used to promote forgiveness, compassion and an understanding of the Balkan conflicts, including in Overtown Primary School where Christine had taught; understands that Alan returned to Sarajevo with his family in 2001, where they opened a centre and outreach programme for children with complex support needs, funded by the Christine Witcutt Memorial Fund, which was established in his wife’s memory, and for which he raised large amounts of money; acknowledges that Alan was presented with a medal by the Bosnian Government for his and his wife’s humanitarian work, and sends its heartfelt condolences to his family.


Supported by: Angela Constance, Bruce Crawford, Annabelle Ewing, Neil Findlay, Iain Gray, Bill Kidd, Johann Lamont, Monica Lennon, Richard Lyle, Fulton MacGregor, Ruth Maguire, Gillian Martin, John Mason, Joan McAlpine, Gil Paterson, David Torrance, Maureen Watt, Sandra White