No breach of human rights in banning Zimbabwe tour, say Greens

Legislation aimed at stopping the Black Caps' tour of Zimbabwe would not infringe on New Zealanders' human rights, according to a legal opinion released by the Greens.

Opponents of the tour want it cancelled to protest gross human rights abuses in Zimbabwe under the regime of president Robert Mugabe.

But the only way that can happen without New Zealand Cricket (NZC) suffering multi-million dollar penalties is for the tour to be made illegal, which the Greens have proposed to do through legislation which would halt sporting contacts with Zimbabwe.

Other political parties -- none of which support the bill -- have said it would curtail New Zealanders' human rights.

But Greens co-leader Rod Donald today released a legal opinion stating that the Greens' bill is consistent with New Zealand's Bill of Rights.

Zimbabwean human rights campaigner Judith Todd told a press conference in Wellington this morning that the Black Caps could be in danger in the country.

She showed video footgae of alleged human rights abuses in Zimbabawe.

NZC has said the tour will go ahead and the Government has said it will not legislate to ban the cricketers going overseas.

- NZPA