Stopping the tour

Via Frogblog: Rod Donald has released his Zimbabwe Sporting Sanction Bill aimed at stopping the Black Caps' tour of Zimbabwe and giving them an out under the "force majeure" clause. If passed, the bill would prohibit any sporting tour of Zimbabwe by any nationally recognised sporting body (such as NZ Cricket). Breaking the ban would result in a $50,000 fine, the revocation of recognition by SPARC, and the withdrawl of any government funding. The right of sportsmen to leave the country, whether to play sport or otherwise, would not be affected.

This does not violate the BORA. It does not affect the right of any person - natural or legal - to leave the country. It does limit freedom of association, but this limitation is a reasonable one which can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. The government has an unquestionable right to impose economic sanctions on another country as part of its foreign policy. This is simply a subset of that.

I don't like having to do this. I would much rather NZ Cricket did the decent thing and decided to stay home. The New Zealand public have shown a clear willingness to cover the fine and any costs imposed, and if the ICC imposed an international ban, I think that that would only support our position. This bill would give NZ Cricket an out, a way to stay home gracefully. The real question is whether they take that out. It's entirely possible that NZC will look at the money they stand to earn from the tour, and decide to wear the fine and go anyway. But then it will be quite clear where they stand, and the public will react accordingly.