15 March 2013
Burmese visit must pay attention to human rights issues

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Murray McCully must continue to raise constitutional and human rights issues with Burma, the Green Party said today.

Mr McCully has stressed the commercial opportunities of New Zealand’s relationship with Burma after the arrival of Burma's President and former general U Thein Sein. Mr McCully has stated that if New Zealand was to raise constitutional issues, it would be about reforms in general and would not deal with the leader of the Burmese opposition Aung San Suu Kyi.

“New Zealand’s desire to sell dairy products to Burma shouldn’t mean human rights and constitutional affairs are ignored,” Green Party global affairs spokesperson Dr Kennedy Graham said today.

“It is very disappointing to see Mr McCully’s statements stressing the “commercial opportunities” of President Thien’s visit while failing to guarantee that constitutional and human rights issues will be on the agenda.

“Burma is a country going through a state of transition.

“The Burmese Government has made some positive actions towards reform including allowing elections last year.

“However, despite many political prisoners being released after the election, hundreds more remain behind bars,” Dr Graham said.

“Many repressive laws remain on Burma’s statute books and the army continues to commit human rights violations against its citizens, especially minority groups.

“Burma needs the support of countries such as New Zealand as it evolves from one of the most repressive regimes on the planet to, hopefully, a country that respects human rights.

“In this transitory stage New Zealand must offer more than just butter and cheese,” Dr Graham said.

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