7. KEITH LOCKE (Green) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
What concerns, if any, has her Government expressed to the Chinese Government about its continuing clamp-down on dissent, contrary to promises made to the international community to improve human rights by the time of the Olympics?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK (Prime Minister) Link to this
The Government regularly raises the issue of human rights with the Chinese Government at all levels of government—most recently in July. I personally raised with the Premier during my visit in April the issue of human rights and the need for restraint and dialogue in respect of Tibet.
Does she think that brave pro-democracy campaigners, like those attacked by police near Tiananmen Square yesterday, deserve the support from democratic nations like New Zealand; and what is her Government doing to support such people at such time of the Olympics?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
I have heard only media reports of the particular matter to which the member refers. I will, obviously, seek further official advice on that, and then a judgment will need to be made as to whether this is something the New Zealand Government would specifically wish to raise with the Chinese authorities.
Has the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing experienced any delays in getting approval for its diplomats to visit China to assess the human rights situation there; if so, what was the nature of the delays and problems that the embassy experienced?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
I do not have any recent advice on this. I have some recollection that it has not been easy for diplomats to be able to enter Tibet, but I have no other recent advice.
Will the Prime Minister be advising New Zealand’s Olympic athletes to wear face masks in the lead-up to their events, as the US Olympic team is doing, in order to protect them from air pollution that is well in excess of World Health Organization standards?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
No, I will not be offering that advice. I was interested to see on media reports at the weekend that for whatever reason—perhaps stronger winds or perhaps the fact that factories have been closed for some time—the air did appear to be clearing and there were even signs of blue in the sky.
I seek leave to table a recent report on the China Olympics Human Rights Act passed by the US Congress recently, which asks the US President to publish strong statements condemning China’s human rights abuses.
Madam SPEAKERI seek leave to table an item from Sky News yesterday about the dangers of asthma attacks, skin conditions, infections, and sickness—