Maryan Street
Spokesperson for Associate Foreign Affairs

20 June 2014

Cartwright appointment to war crimes panel welcomed

Labour congratulates Dame Silvia Cartwright on her appointment to the United Nations Human Rights Council investigation into war crimes and human rights abuses in Sri Lanka.

“Her reputation is second to none and we are delighted she will be contributing to this long awaited tribunal,” says Labour’s Human Rights spokesperson Maryan Street.

“It is an indictment on the government that it is left to Dame Silvia to uphold New Zealand’s reputation on human rights singlehandedly,” she said.

“The New Zealand government did not support the British protest at Sri Lanka being the next Chair of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), nor did it support the UN Human Rights Council resolution to establish this panel.

“If we are to contribute meaningfully on the United Nations Security Council, upholding human rights is a basic requirement. We thank Dame Silvia for doing this in place of the government.”

ENDS

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