Hussein’s death ends a troubled chapter

Duty Minister Trevor Mallard today said that Saddam Hussein’s death ends a chapter in Iraq’s troubled history.

“New Zealand does not support the death penalty as a matter of principle,” Trevor Mallard said.

“We acknowledge, however, that Saddam Hussein’s execution occurred within the framework of Iraqi law, and as a response to his crimes against humanity.

“New Zealand regarded the guilty verdict as appropriate. The task now is for the people of Iraq to look forward and work for a stable unified Iraqi nation.”

ends

© Scoop Media

World Refugee Day:
Are We Doing Our Bit?

On World Refugee Day, Thursday June 20th, Doing Our Bit will officially launch a campaign to double New Zealand’s UNHCR Refugee Resettlement Quota...

New Zealand’s low refugee intake is not a new issue. In February a NZ Herald editorial commented that our intake was ‘paltry’, remarking that ‘surely we could do more’. In April, Amnesty International described the quota as ‘tiny'.

“Despite being a small country in the middle of the South Pacific, New Zealand prides itself on being hospitable. We are friendly to overseas visitors and we see ourselves as punching above our weight in international affairs,” said Murdoch Stephens, coordinator of Doing Our Bit.

“However, in terms of accepting refugees New Zealand is clearly not doing our share.” More>>