Kiwiblog

Stuff reports:

Prime Minister John Key’s message that 85 Sri Lankan asylum seekers intercepted in Indonesia are “not welcome” has the backing of many in New Zealand’s Sri Lankan community.

The Tamil asylum seekers were detained on Saturday by the Indonesian Navy as they apparently tried to make their way to New Zealand by boat. …

United Sri Lanka Association spokesman Chula Rajapakse said there should be no reason for there to be refugees from Sri Lanka at the moment, as the country was “as peaceful as Wellington”.

“There’s no violence there right now, the violence there caused by Tamil terrorism has been quelled, it’s been put to rest two years ago.

“We have always taken the position that, when it comes to this queue-jumping by people-smugglers, New Zealand should not be seen to be taking a soft hand.”

The Tamils are not at fear or risk of their lives. They are economic refugees, not genuine refugees. If they actually reached NZ, then a tribunal would have to determine that, but I don’t think it is a close call.

NZ takes in several hundred refugees every year – those who go through official channels. I don’t believe you reward queue jumpers, because doing so will just encourage more and more people to do the same.

UPDATE:

Phil Goff agrees with John Key.

Labour leader Phil Goff holds a similar view and says we can’t run immigration policy on sympathy and let everyone that turns up her into the country.

He says the way to go is meet our responsibilities with our refugee quota, not promote gain for people smugglers who’re making money out of the misery of others.

I suspect not all in the Labour caucus will be happy with that call.

I almost can’t believe this one – from Aaron Bhatnagar:

The City Vision Councillors are focused on the big issues that matter to Aucklanders – the Tamil Tigers:

City Vision Councillor Graham Easte has proposed a notice of motion about supporting the Tamil cause and the conflict in Sri Lanka. There’s even going to be a deputation from some Tamil supporters group to come and speak to us. …

Aaron correctly notes:

Firstly, I don’t know what this has to do with Auckland City. Yes, the conflict that has raged in Sri Lanka is very sad, but it’s not council business. And even if it was somehow Auckland City’s role to leap into the dispute, why would we be taking sides? The cause is lost – the Tamil Tigers got defeated last week. There may be 4000 Tamils in Auckland, but there are probably more Sinhalese Sri Lankans living in Auckland.

I want my City Councillors to spend their time on libraries, parks, facilities, keeping rates down. Not pretending to be the UN.

After decades of fighting, it appears the Sri Lankan Government has finally defeated the Tamil Tigers. The top rebel leaders have been killed and for the first time in 25 years, the entire country is under Government control. The North used to be almost a shadow state with its own tax system etc.

There are calls for the Government to be investigated for war crimes as part of their victory. But the mass celebrations that have broken out in Sri Lanka indicate the Government’s hard line has paid off.

Norfolk Blogger (a Lib Dem) reacts with understandable anger to the UN Human Rights Council chiding the UK for its failings.

Sir Lanka, a country slammed by Human Rights Groups for its extrajudicial executions thinks the UK should ditch the monarchy as it is anti human rights. Now I am a republican but I don’t think the UK needs to be told buy the UN what form of Government to have.

Syria, a country with one party rule, complains about discrimination against Muslims. Syria only restricts freedom of speech, press, assembly, movement, association and oh yeah religion.

But the highlight must be Iran complaining about the UK’s record on sexual discrimination. Here is how Iran treats women:

• If a woman is killed (say in a car accident) her family is paid only half of what they would get if a male is killed
• The testimony of a male witness is worth twice that of a female witness
• Women can not travel by themselves without written permission of her father or husband
• Women get only half the inheritance amounts men get
• Women who are raped are deemed guilty of extra-marital sex unless there are four Muslim male witnesses to the rape

And Iran sits on the UN Human Rights Council lecturing the UK on its sex discrimination record. It would be funny if it wasn’t so very very sad.

There is a rumour NZ is going to seek a place on the Human Rights Council. I sincerely hope we do not. We should not add legitimacy to this farce.