The government is trying to defend its position on the Black Cap's tour of Zimbabwe, claiming that they can't stop it. But while Phil Goff is right to point out that under the Bill of Rights, everyone has the right to leave New Zealand, that doesn't mean that the government is helpless. As Frogblog points out,
[t]he ICC has recognised the right of all governments to cut bilateral cricketing ties if they deem it to be in their national interest. The Indian Government has already exercised this right, at no financial penalty to anyone. The New Zealand Government could do exactly the same thing.
Unfortunately, they haven't even investigated the option. A government led by politicians who marched against the Springbok Tour in '81 and who opposed sporting links with South Africa on the basis that it would lend moral support to the apartheid regime seems perfectly happy to see New Zealand sportsmen dragging our international reputation through the mud by playing with a regime that tortures people and bulldozes their homes for the "crime" of not supporting the government.
It is within the government's power to stop this, and without violating people's human rights. All they have to do is say "no". If they stand up and declare that, as a matter of foreign policy, the New Zealand government does not believe sporting links with a regime like Zimbabwe's are appropriate, and formally ask the Black Caps to stay home, NZ Cricket is off the hook. So why won't they do it?
From here, it looks like nothing less than cowardice...
If all we can do to help Zimbabwe is force our cricket team not to tour.....God help them!
ReplyDeleteIt isn't everything (in fact more should be done) - but it is one thing.
ReplyDeleteIf no one takes any action against governments that grossly abuse their power then one day you will be the one being abused and there will be no one left in a position to do anything about it.
I dont see a cricket tour changing anything there. What would the roll on effect be from not going? Is everyone hoping that a cricket tour abandonment will kick start a movement that should should have been moving already?
ReplyDeleteIt seem the gummint may stop Zimbabwe coming here though, strangely enough.
ReplyDelete