New Zealand Human Rights Grievences

Image: Countries in green have signed up to the U.N. IOCCPR, as of February 2009

New Zealand has signed up to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and must therefore submit regular reports to Geneva on the status of Human Rights in New Zealand. One such regular report is due for consideration in July 2009. Two lawyers from Wellington, New Zealand have sent in a shadow report regarding human rights abused in New Zealand. Such shadow reports are rare from New Zealand, where there are few resources available for making such reports. There is also an attitude towards prisoners by a substantial proportion of New Zealand population of, 'they deserve it' , where awareness of human rights, and principles of justice and fairness have yet to make an prevailing impact.

The police complaints authority which is funded by the New Zealand state and run by ex-police officers is one focus of the human rights shadow report submitted by Mr Ellis and the Council for Civil Liberties. The report questions the human rights of prisoners detained by the state and highlights short comings in New Zealand's laws and policy. In New Zealand, if you are detained and ill-treated, there is no effective remedy available to you (no action that is available for you to take under the current law). There is especial concern regarding the treatment of mentally vulnerable prisoners, and of children and young people in prisons.

Mr Ellis is also promoting an independent body to oversee prisons and a need for the Bill of Rights to be upheld. At the moment, the government can pass any law even if it contravenes the Bill of Rights.

Fortunately there have been some positive steps over time, like the creation of a Supreme Court and a review of laws monitoring policing and corrections, the creation of the Families Commission, allowing Civil Unions and also making an Action Plan for Human Rights. However, there is alot of work to be done to raise awareness of the importance of protecting Human Rights, from a moral and human perspectives in the country.

India our Guru

Wen Jiabao, a Chinese premier, describes the current climate of peace and development that Tibet is experiencing as testimony to the correct policies implemented by the Chinese government. Of course, this climate of peace is in context of the security lockdown of Tibet, and the restrictions on Internet access and lack of sms (text) availability among other things. Meanwhile, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been described by Wen as mixing up with politics and that he is being 'exploited' by overseas nations. Chinese government was also upset over the meeting of the Dalai Lama with the French President in November and has since demanded a summit between China and France to make up for it. Read more

The Central Tibet Administration reports His Holiness the Dalai Lama feels honoured to call India his spiritual home for decades, "you are the guru [teacher], and we your chela [students]" he says. Furthermore, he would like to see India propagate values of religious harmony word-wide adding there is no scope for violence or force on any issue - Go to Central Tibet Administration website and click on the Support Tibet link on the sidebar under 'Actions'.
In a pre-election speech in March 2008, U.S., President Obama has requested that the Chinese government start to respect the rights [human rights] of the people of Tibet, read the notes here.

What is going to become of Tibet? I hope that Tibet peoples' rights will be respected, security lockdown will be relaxed and the Chinese government will start to work together with others to improve the situation there.

Sources, Chinese premier defends policies, article on Guardian Newspaper News Website accessed 14.3.09
Central Tibet Administration Website, India Should Promote Religious Harmony abroad: His Holiness the Dalai Lama accessed 14.3.09
Obama News & speeches website, Statement of Senator Barack Obama on the situation in Tibet, accessed 14.3.09

China Government makes Himalayas Region 'Hell on Earth'

Image Source: International Tibet Independence Movement

According to the speech by the Dalai Lama to mark his 50 years anniversary in exile, the cultural revolution and the Chinese Marshall law has made the Himalayan Region of Tibet a 'Hell on Earth'. Read more.

What can you do? Contact your local support group for Tibet.

Support for Tibet Groups
International Campaign for Tibet
Friends of Tibet (India + International)
Friends of Tibet (N.Z.)
Tibet Community in Ireland.

Action Sites
Action Campaign by Four Directions (U.K).
July 6th World Tibet Day

Read about the Chinese Government View on Tibet
Chinese Government website for Tibet
The Chinese government announce the '50th' anniversary of Democratic Reform in Tibet and promote 'Open Mind' about Tibet. Read their views on their website (click above).

Relevant Sites reporting News regarding the situation for Tibet
The Tibet Youth Congress
Gu Chu Sum
Tibetan Centre for Human Rights & Democracy
International Tibet Independence Movement
Tibet Sites
Claude Arpi lives in India and this site has a wide range of documents and links and articles relating to the history of India.

Teachings Websites
Official Dalai Lama Website
Dalai Lama Foundation
Tibet TV

Sources: Aljazeera News website, Read href="http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/03/10/dalai-lama-blasts-039brutal-crackdown039-tibet.html">Jakarta Post News Website

50 Anniversary for Excile Nigh in Tibet

Image source: Aljazeera News website 28.2.09

The anniversary of 50 years since the Dalai Lama was forced to exile is nearing and tensions are running high in Tibet.

A Tibetan monk has self-immolated himself in protest against Chinese government rule. The Chinese government may fear an uprising marking the failed uprising some 50 years ago to end Chinese rule. It also marks a years anniversary since the peaceful protests turned violent with 7 Tibetans killed by Chinese guards whom opened fire on the crowd.

Source: 'Tension as Tibet Protester dies', Aljazeera News website, accessed 28.2.09 http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2009/02/2009228114530429333.html

Counter Terror With Justice!

'Support Amnesty International's Campaign, Counter Terror With Justice!'.

To find out more about the campaign, please go to 'http://www.amnesty.org/en/counter-terror-with-justice'

Binyam Mohamed has been returned to the U.K. as an ex-U.K. resident. He was illegally held at Guatanamo bay for 4 years out of a total of 7 years that he was imprisoned and since released without charges. He says he has been kidnapped, illegally detained and tortured with medieval methods and has experiences beyond his darkest nightmare, all orchestrated by the U.S. government.

His lowest moment was when those whom he thought he could turn to for support and protection, including the U.K. government had allied with his torturers. Aljazeera News footage shows Binyam walking off the plane looking thin and undernourished partly due to his hunger strike whilst being illegally detained.

Sources, Aljazeera News Hour 23/2/09 and Ex-Guatanamo inmate returns to U.K., Aljazeera News Website accessed 23/2/09 http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2009/02/2009223154524900913.html

"Swat is a part of Pakistan but no governor, chief minister or the prime minister can venture to go there."

"Swat is a part of Pakistan but no governor, chief minister or the prime minister can venture to go there" are the words of Haji Adeel a Senior leader of Awami National Party that leads the coalition ruling the North-West Frontier province of Pakistan where Swat is located.

Maulana Fazalullah with an army of 10 000 has lead the reign of terror on the region, including hangings of headless bodies in bazaars, banning women from leaving their houses and girls over the age of 7 from going to school.

Photo: students at school

Source Aljazeera News Website, 'Swat, Pakistan's Lost Paradise' see reference below

Schools that did not comply with the order to shut down by 15 January 2009 were blown up, around 150 schools in total.

Such extremist decrees are broadcast to the local population by FM radio and with so much else happening in the world, the young Pakistan government was almost oblivious to what was happening in Swat. Now, if even the police want to go around for a couple of hours, they are escorted by the army.

With journalists being assassinated and the security forces afraid to parole the area, and political representatives unable to enter the region, for the people of Swat, it seems no one knows their plight and there is no one to help.

Sources, Aljazeera News Hour, Aljazeera News Website, 'Swat, Pakistan's Lost Paradise' updated and accessed 27/1/09
http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/2009/01/200912512351598892.html

Isreali Politicians Can be Tried for War Crimes

U.N. Secretary General expresses his 'Condemnation and Outrage' at the attacks of Israeli on the UN Compounds. He says, 'the bombardment is Unbearable'.

The UN are vocalising that by ignoring the UN Security Council Resolution that bind Israel as it is a member state they have shown pure disrespect for International Law. In this way, Israeli politician can be tried for war crimes.

Although the Security Council Resolution has been adopted it has not been Implemented and Israel has been given 'special treatment' and acted with 'impunity'.

The defence minister and Israeli Spokes person whom are both going to run for President in Israel want to end the war but the Current Prime Minister wants to intensify it.

Playing with White Phosphorous

"We saw a flash in the sky yesterday evening then it started falling and sparks were falling near us. Some of them came in our house and our ma tress started burning".

Indeed, on camera (Aljazeera is the only International News Agency with journalists resident inside Gaza) we can see lumps of stuff burning on the road. There are children, naively playing with it, using wooden sticks. Of course, they are not aware of the toxicity of the white phosphorous or the harm it will cause should it get on their skin.

Israeli military do not confirm use of white phosphorous, 'we do not use any substance that is outlawed under international convention' and 'I do not know the details of the munitions used'. The military spokes person for Israel military says, 'the only answer I can give, is that we cannot specify what munitions we are using'. Instead, she asked the interviewer, 'why don't you deal with the crimes committed by Hamas'.

Could this be an attempt to deflect the question and blame the other side??? She is not willing to answer the question!!! Israel military will not allow an international investigation into the matter.

N.B. White phosphorous cannot be controlled once released, it produces burning clouds of smoke up to 800m high - it is an indiscriminate weapon and is therefore banned for use in a civilian area during war.

Source: Aljazeera News Hour (TV) 12/1/08

See also