Amnesty International condemns Chinese human rights abuses as President Hu arrives for 3-day visit to NZ
It is hoped human rights can be slipped on to the agenda in the Prime Minister’s talks with the Chinese premier this weekend.
President Hu Jintao has arrived in Wellington today, and is in the country until Monday.
Free trade is predicted to be the main topic of discussion during the visit.
Amnesty International’s Ced Simpson says the Chinese government often thinks it can ride out criticism over its human rights record, but that shouldn’t be allowed to happen.
He says it’s important kiwis are hospitable but also point out their disgust at the incidents of torture, killings and political imprisonment.
Amnesty International is encouraged to hear police don’t intend to impede protest action during the visit.
Last time China’s leader visited, in 1999, police were found to have deliberately blocked Jiang Zemin from seeing any protesters while he was in Christchurch.
Ced Simpson says that was a scandalous blot on New Zealand’s history and shouldn’t be allowed to happen again.
He says it is important New Zealand shows that President Hu at least the country is prepared to uphold Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Meanwhile Green MPs and party members will take an active part in protests against the Hu visit.
Co-leader Rod Donald says the action has been prompted by China’s treatment of its own people and the people of Tibet.
Mr Donald won’t say exactly what form the protests will take but he says there certainly won’t be any Green MPs at tonight’s state banquet in honour of the President at Government House.
The Greens believe the Chinese leader doesn’t deserve to be honoured in any way.
But Mr Donald says Greens protestors will be taking a pretty low key approach because they don’t want to overshadow other protestors who have been closer to the suffering.
