MEDIA STATEMENT

Thursday 8 May 2014

Māori Party condemns Nigerian kidnappers

The Māori Party is extremely concerned that after three weeks the 276 girls who were kidnapped from their school in Nigeria have still not been found, and that more kidnappings and attacks have taken place since. It says it has heard the call put out by the social media campaign #BringBackOurGirls, and it is urging the New Zealand government to hear it too and lend our nation’s support to the search.

Tariana Turia said, “Education is not a privilege, it is a right. It is a human right. As a woman, I want to express my absolute condemnation for the group who have claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of those young children and for the denial of education to women around the world.”

“I have been watching this issue over the last three weeks waiting for the world to respond, to wrap their arms around the whanau and to find those girls, and I am appalled that it’s taken this long to see action.”

Te Ururoa Flavell said, “New Zealand and indeed other countries around the world should be lending their support to the search for these girls. We are told that we are a part of a global community, we are quick to enter into free trade agreements, and build relationships based on money, we send our soldiers overseas – well where is our nation’s support for these girls and these families? Where are we when grievous human rights breaches and violent acts against humanity are taking place?”

Dr Pita Sharples said, “As indigenous people who have fought for our own rights to be recognised, we have stood alongside other indigenous peoples whose rights have been violated. We know how important it is for peoples and nations from across the world to stand together, and to stand up for rights and freedoms, and justice.”

“The Māori Party absolutely believe that we have a duty to act, so we challenge the New Zealand Government to do more. We should be working through the United Nations to send the message that Aotearoa is 100% opposed to the violations that took place against these girls, and that Aotearoa is 100% in support of women’s rights to education.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media