China wins gold for human rights abuse

Autonomous Action have called a 12 hour picket (6am-6pm) outside Helen Clarke's electoral office (54 Sandringham Rd) on Tuesday 25th March to oppose the signing of a Free Trade Agreement with China.

The picket has been called in response to the Chinese government's complete disregard of human rights.  Over the past two weeks peaceful protests in Tibet have been met with a wave of repression from the Chinese state leading to the deaths of scores of peaceful protesters. 

This is at the same time as China denies fundamental human rights to its entire population and as it provides economic and political support to the regimes in Burma and Sudan; two governments that are waging genocidal wars on sections of their populations. 

Media spokesperson Ryan Bodman says that it is despicable that as China's flagrant disregard for human rights continues, the New Zealand government continues its attempt to be the first developed nation to sign a free trade agreement with them. 

"Just as most New Zealanders would not expect our government to provide favourable access to the New Zealand economy to a man like Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe," says Mr Bodman, "we do not expect our government to do so for a government whose crimes exceed those of Mugabe's". 

Autonmous Action is calling for a cessation of talks with the Chinese government over a free trade deal and for the New Zealand government to add its voice to the international chorus strongly condemning the actions of China both domestically and internationally. 

ENDS

© Scoop Media