Inside the belly of the beast

SPEAKING out against human rights violations in China was freedom of expression.
Yesterday Wanganui District Cr Ray Stevens said if Wanganui wished to have freedom of speech, then signing Amnesty International's Lion Declaration petition did just that. Mr Stevens signed as an individual.
Cr Steven was then asked to table at a council meeting the organisation's pack that listed human rights violations in China.
Mr Stevens said the council had already engaged in foreign policy when Mayor Michael Laws criticised the King of Tonga's human rights violations on his radio talkback and then defended his stance.
Mr Laws refused to meet with Amnesty yesterday.
In a Chronicle report on Saturday he called the organisation idiots because they had not invited him to sign the petition, and said local government had no place in foreign policy.
He also said Amnesty's petition was an attempt to embarrass the government.
In a press release yesterday Amnesty campaign manager Gary Reese said human rights violations in China were relevant to local government and the organisation had sent an invitation in writing to Mr Laws several times by letter, fax and email.
Mr Laws did not respond to Mr Reese's telephone messages on Friday.
The Lion Declaration has invited mayors in 31 towns and cities around New Zealand to meet with them and sign the petition.
Mayors David Ogden (Hutt City), Tim Shadbolt (Invercargill CC), Garry Daniell (deputy-Mayor Masterton DC), Heather Tanquay (Palmerston North DC) and Kevin Heays (Kaikoura DC) have signed the petition to date.
AI said Chinese officials have manipulated local government in New Zealand that limited freedom of expression and freedom of the media and they were investigating the incidents.
One of those incidents was Auckland mayors were pressured by the Chinese Embassy not to attend a public performance of an international touring party as it included members of the Falun Gong.
At least one mayor decided not to attend, Mr Reese reported.
"Amnesty International in New Zealand prides itself on exposing the truth and we are concerned at Mr Laws' allegations that he did not receive any invitations."
Mr Reese said that during their travels around the country it had become apparent that mayors and councils were not aware that in China it was local governments that were carrying out the grave human rights abuses.
"While Wanganui does not have a sister-city relationship with China, it is likely they will be approached in the future. Due to the increasing pressure by Chinese officials on local government to limit our freedoms in New Zealand, it is vital that mayors throughout the country stand together in support of universal human rights both here and in China."
THE LION DECLARATION: ? Is an Amnesty International petition they will deliver to the Chinese Embassy on May 22 in Wellington.