24 July, 2003
Govt must speak out against coalition that keeps on killing
The New Zealand Government must speak out against alleged widespread human rights abuses committed by the US-led
occupation force in Iraq, Green MP Keith Locke said today
A damning report from Amnesty International today alleged that coalition forces of badly mistreating Iraqi citizens and
inhumane detention conditions, including the beating and killing of unarmed Iraqis.
"I call on the Government to support Amnesty International's call for US occupation force in Iraq to stop mistreating
prisoners," said Mr Locke, the Green Foreign Affairs spokesperson.
"Iraqi people suffered for years under the heel of Saddam Hussein. It is shameful that Iraqi civilians are still
suffering mistreatment and indignities at the hands of US forces, as exposed by Amnesty International.
"It is important that our Government speak out, especially given that New Zealand military personnel will soon be going
to Iraq.
"If we stay silent our soldiers risk being perceived by the Iraqi people as being complicit in the abuse of civil rights
being committed by occupation forces," said Mr Locke.
"The Greens urge the Government to reconsider its military commitment to Iraq, and replace it with a civilian
reconstruction team that would clearly not be seen as part of the occupation force.
"New Zealand should share the increasing discomfort around the world that the 'regime change' has not produced an end to
the harassment of Iraqi people by state forces."
ENDS