Amnesty International slams Government’s directive to MPs not to attend Falun Gong events

Amnesty International is deeply concerned at the New Zealand government’s directive to National MPs not to attend Falun Gong events.

Falun Gong have been recognised as one of the most persecuted religious groups in the world.

“Amnesty International members in New Zealand and around the world are working hard to stop the imprisonment and torture of Falun Gong practitioners. So it’s deeply disappointing that the New Zealand government is directing National MPs not to attend Falun Gong events,” said Grant Bayldon, Executive Director at Amnesty International in New Zealand.

“Rather than self-censoring its MPs in an attempt to please China, the New Zealand government should join the international call on China to respect freedom of religion. Mr McCully’s trip there this week would have been a perfect opportunity to speak out in support of calls on China to stop the persecution of Falun Gong and other religions.”

“New Zealand is a country that respects freedom of expression and religion. The attempt to self-censor MPs leads us to wonder whether trade is trumping its values. MPs have an important role to play in their communities, and the Government should never be directing them not to attend a particular religion’s events.”

“In its campaign for a UN Security Council seat, New Zealand promised to be a principled and independent voice. This kind of self-censorship must call that promise into question.”

ENDS

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