International Action to Combat Organ Transplant Abuse in China
Wellington — Nobel Peace Prize nominee and renowned human rights lawyer will be visiting Wellington on 1 July. Author of Bloody Harvest and State Organs, David is known globally for his investigation into the organ harvesting trade in China which uncovered one of the
world's worst crimes against humanity
David Matas’ ongoing investigation has changed the way the world’s people view the organ transplant industry. He has
brought the practice of exploiting prisoners of conscience as a source of organs into the spotlight.
David Matas will open up a discussion on this topic at parliament on the 1 July 3:30pm, on the action being taken
globally to stop this horrific practice. This discussion will continue in the form a documentary “Human Harvest” which
will be screened at the Faculty of Law, Theatre GBLT 4 Level 1, Old Government building at 6:30pm on Wednesdayevening.
Demand for organs outside of China has become prevalent; our community needs to be aware of the dangers of transplant
tourism and the moral implications. Independent investigations indicate that tens of thousands of people are
murdered-on-demand within China’s re-education-through-labour prison camps.
Ex-hospital staff in China gave chilling accounts of organs taken from young healthy people while their hearts are still
alive, under minimal sedation with physical restraints on the table. The organs are sold for tens of thousands of
dollars, while the donor’s bodies are incinerated to destroy the evidence. This is sanctioned by the communist
government and military.
Even thought Chinese officials are promising to reduce their reliance on prisoners as an organ source, to date there has
been no objective evidence that this is happening. It is interesting to note that they do not mention prisoners of
conscience.
Let us as New Zealanders change the tide and stand beside Australia, Israel, Spain, Taiwan, Belgium, Canada, France,
United States and Pakistan and take some initiatives to address forced live organ harvesting in China.
ENDS