Advance New Zealand says Government stand on Zimbabwe pathetic.

Phil Goff's comments in response to hecklers at the weekend cricket tour protest meeting illustrates considerable contradiction in the Governments refusal to take positive action to resolve the issue. He displays a disappointing level of commonsense in trying to draw a parallel between any moves to prevent a representative New Zealand team from playing in Zimbabwe and the blatant human rights abuses of Robert Mugabe in that country.

Obviously the right of New Zealand citizens to travel where and when they wish must not be violated but removing that right is not what is being proposed by the opponents of the tour to Zimbabwe. The solution is the enactment of a simple piece of legislation that, in respect of sporting contact with countries having a repressive regime, which is in breach of internationally recognised human rights, removes official recognition of any team touring such countries as representing New Zealand.

That would leave in place the freedom of individuals to travel to whatever country they choose to go to and engage in sporting activities whilst there but removes any implication that the players are part of a New Zealand National team.

It's a bit pathetic that Mr. Goff refuses to enact legislation to stop the cricket tour on the grounds that it would violate the rights of individuals to travel to Zimbabwe to play cricket but then promptly denies the right of individuals from zimbabwe to travel to New Zealand in December for the same purpose?

ENDS

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