NZ Law Society says Chinese human rights
set back by lawyer arrests
The recent mass arrests and
detention of lawyers and law firm staff in China are a major
setback to Chinese human rights, the New Zealand Law Society
says.
Law Society President Chris Moore says an
independent legal profession is one of the cornerstones of
any society where the rights of citizens are protected.
While many of those who were detained now appear to have
been released, it is vital that the recent events are not
forgotten or ignored, he says.
“It is a sad day
when lawyers are subjected to arrest, detention or
harassment purely because they are carrying out their
professional duties and upholding the rule of law.
“When a government threatens the safety of lawyers as
appears to have happened in China, lawyers elsewhere need to
speak out. The New Zealand Law Society joins and supports
many other lawyers’ organisations around the world in
strongly condemning the actions of the Chinese
government.”
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