HEADLINE: VISITING DELEGATION SEEK NZ SUPPORT AGAINST ILLEGAL ORGAN TAKING

Financial Times Information
August 24, 2006 Thursday

Wellington, Aug 24 NZPA - The Government should add its voice to calls for an international inquiry into illegal human organ harvesting in China, Green MP Keith Locke says.

Mr Locke, National MP Wayne Mapp, Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia and NZ First MP Pita Paraone today met a visiting delegation which included members of the Falun Gong sect who are agitating against the alleged practice.

EU parliament vice president Edward McMillan-Scott and former Canadian minister David Kilgour are in New Zealand following a similar visit to Australia.

They said China was killing thousands of members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement. Falun Gong was banned by the Chinese government in 1999 and members claim they have been persecuted by Beijing.

A report by the men said there was clear evidence that organs have been taken from thousands of Falun Gong members detained in Chinese jails.
The group called for countries to boycott the Beijing Olympics.

Mr Locke said the men told him that Australian MPs including Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd were going to push for an international inquiry and there was cross-party political will in New Zealand to get behind that.

``Basically around the world politicians are a bit scared of the size and economic influence of China, a bit wary to push too strongly so it's good there have been some initiatives taken in Australia,'' Mr Locke said.

He hoped the New Zealand Government would be sympathetic.

``We're hoping with a bit of extra pressure they'll coordinate with Australia on this.''

In Australia Foreign Minister Alexander Downer refused to meet the two men and its Parliament did not recognise them.

A spokesman for Foreign Minister Winston Peters said he was only invited to the meeting today and Mr Peters was overseas.

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New Zealand Press Association
August 24, 2006 Thursday
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