Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said genocide had a "very specific" international legal definition, but any decision would not undermine New Zealand's "grave concerns". Photo / File
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said genocide had a "very specific" international legal definition, but any decision would not undermine New Zealand's "grave concerns". Photo / File
The leaders of Labour and National are voicing caution over any genocide declaration around China's treatment of its Uighur population, with both parties also concerned over potential trade repercussions.
Act is requesting Parliament debate whether human rights abuses in the Chinese region of Xinjiang amounted to genocide, and in turncall on the Government to fulfil its obligations under international law.
The motion, filed by deputy leader and foreign affairs spokeswoman Brooke van Velden last week, needs the support of each MP in the House in order to be debated.
All parties, aside from Act, have indicated they will discuss the issue in caucus today to reach consensus.
Speaking ahead of caucus this morning, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reiterated her concern over "grave human rights abuses" concerning the Uighur in China, but again voiced caution over the specific term genocide.
"What will be discussed today is a response to a very particular issue of whether or not genocide should be declared."
There were international laws and requirements around the definition, she said, but any decision would not undermine their current position on human rights abuses which was "very strong" and the need to investigate what is happening independently.
The 1948 United Nations genocide convention defines genocide as acts "committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethical, racial or religious group", which can take place in times of war or peace.
"The international community and New Zealand have been calling for unfettered access for individuals to go in and establish if that is indeed happening," Ardern said.
Labour ministers and MPs all toed the party line when approached on the issue, declining to give their personal view saying it had to be discussed first by caucus.
Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O'Connor did acknowledge any declaration would have an impact on trade relations between the countries.
National leader Judith Collins says trade retaliation from China would be the "elephant in the room" over any genocide declaration. Photo / File
National leader Judith Collins also said the party needed to discuss the matter in caucus, while calling on the Government to provide MPs with all information it holds about the situation.
"We take this very seriously but are aware if the Government has information it has not shared it should share it very quickly with MPs."
Asked if New Zealand should follow the lead of allies, including Britain, United States and Canada, who have all accused China of committing genocide, Collins said New Zealand was a "sovereign nation and we should make our own decisions".
Trade impacts would be the "elephant in the room" around any decision, she said.
"About 30 per cent [of trade] goes to China, it is the elephant in the room when we discuss issues like this.
"However we have said for a long time we should learn from the past, never have all our eggs in one basket when it comes to trade."
The Green Party, which has long been raising concerns about the situation in China, will also decide its position on the motion at its Tuesday caucus.
Without giving her position on the motion, foreign affairs spokeswoman Golriz Ghahraman has also voiced caution around politicians deciding on a specific legal definition.
"We've seen Western countries label it a genocide and not take any more action."
Ghahraman said actions they'd like to see immediately included the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming if any New Zealand trade was occurring in areas of Xinjiang where slave labour was happening.
"Our focus will be on having New Zealand stand in solidarity with victims rather than giving it a label and moving on."
Waikato University law professor Alexander Gillespie previously told the Herald while it was a good move to discuss the issue, he did not think politicians getting involved at this stage was the right way to address the situation.
It had risks for the Government politically both ways also, with a declaration likely to heavily impact dealings with China and invoke trade retaliation.
"Even Australia, which has received a lot of trade problems from China, has not walked into this space. If we went first, expect payback."
Meanwhile, a Labour block vote against it could be a "bad look" unless they have some alternative option.
"At a time of New Zealand is being accused of being too cuddly to China, it would look terrible.
"What you want is the UN experts to make such a determination - not politicians.
"Apart from the experts having much more credibility in the process, it also would depoliticise it."
If the UN experts continued to be denied, over a period of another six months of so, Gillespie said it could then be time for countries to make their own determinations.
A "midway point" would be to avoid a vote, but double down on the demands for UN expert access, and set a time limit.
Another option was offering a New Zealand-led team of independent experts to try to get to the bottom of it, he said.
China has responded strongly to and denied vehemently all allegations of genocide, saying it has been combating separatism and Islamist militancy in the region.
The Parliamentary motion is no certainty yet, as if a single MP objects, it will be defeated.
Van Velden said she would be seeking support from the Business Committee on Tuesday for it to placed up the order paper to be raised in the House on Wednesday.
If all MPs agree to it being debated, each party will have the opportunity to speak, and the Speaker of the House will ask whether they support the motion.
