Ariddia
20-12-2007, 16:33
Ten Fijian children have been banned from entering New Zealand for a Scout Jamboree in Christchurch, Pacific radio NiuFM reports.
They are the latest victims in an often erratic ban imposed by the government as part of its smart sanctions on Fiji's military regime.
Christchurch is this week hosting a regional Scout Jamboree including a 47-strong Fiji delegation.
Their leader, Ratu Meli Saukoro Yabakivou, told NiuFM that another 10 children were affected by the sanctions which ban people who have family in the military from coming to New Zealand.
Ratu Meli says it's unfortunate the children, aged from 10 to 13, have to pay for their parents or relatives affiliations with the military.
[...] Under the sanctions New Zealand banned a football goalkeeper whose girlfriend's father was in the military and two netballers. The Fiji Rugby Sevens side were denied transit visas enroute to Dubai, but the same group will be allowed to play in the Wellington Sevens next month.
(link (http://www.stuff.co.nz/4330923a11.html))
Green Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Keith Locke has expressed surprise at reports that our High Commission in Suva had tried to stop 10 Fijian boy-scouts from entering the country to attend a Scout Jamboree in Christchurch.
New Zealand Government sanctions ban members of Fiji's military Government and their families from entering the country.
Mr Locke says the government should "act with more common sense in its application of the ban".
"While the Green Party supports the travel restrictions on members of the military government, I don't think it was envisaged they would penalise kids as young as 10, in a larger scout group, not travelling with their parents.
"There is already a waver system embodied in the sanctions. Last month the Fijian Education Minister Netani Sukanaivalu was recently granted a waiver to attend a Pacific education conference in Auckland.
"Surely the young scouts are much more deserving of consideration that a Minister in the military Government. It seems small-minded to suggest that young school children should be held responsible for the actions of their parents.
"I suggest the Government apply a bit more fairness, and in the spirit of Christmas let the children come here and take part in the jamboree."
(link (http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00483.htm))
They are the latest victims in an often erratic ban imposed by the government as part of its smart sanctions on Fiji's military regime.
Christchurch is this week hosting a regional Scout Jamboree including a 47-strong Fiji delegation.
Their leader, Ratu Meli Saukoro Yabakivou, told NiuFM that another 10 children were affected by the sanctions which ban people who have family in the military from coming to New Zealand.
Ratu Meli says it's unfortunate the children, aged from 10 to 13, have to pay for their parents or relatives affiliations with the military.
[...] Under the sanctions New Zealand banned a football goalkeeper whose girlfriend's father was in the military and two netballers. The Fiji Rugby Sevens side were denied transit visas enroute to Dubai, but the same group will be allowed to play in the Wellington Sevens next month.
(link (http://www.stuff.co.nz/4330923a11.html))
Green Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Keith Locke has expressed surprise at reports that our High Commission in Suva had tried to stop 10 Fijian boy-scouts from entering the country to attend a Scout Jamboree in Christchurch.
New Zealand Government sanctions ban members of Fiji's military Government and their families from entering the country.
Mr Locke says the government should "act with more common sense in its application of the ban".
"While the Green Party supports the travel restrictions on members of the military government, I don't think it was envisaged they would penalise kids as young as 10, in a larger scout group, not travelling with their parents.
"There is already a waver system embodied in the sanctions. Last month the Fijian Education Minister Netani Sukanaivalu was recently granted a waiver to attend a Pacific education conference in Auckland.
"Surely the young scouts are much more deserving of consideration that a Minister in the military Government. It seems small-minded to suggest that young school children should be held responsible for the actions of their parents.
"I suggest the Government apply a bit more fairness, and in the spirit of Christmas let the children come here and take part in the jamboree."
(link (http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00483.htm))