New Zealand is gearing up to be the next host of the Global Human Rights Torch Relay when it arrives in Auckland on Sunday 16 December.
In a whirlwind tour around both islands over 17 days, the Human Rights Torch will visit major cities carrying the message that "Olympics and crimes against humanity cannot coexist in China".
Inspired by the Olympic torch, this symbolic run through New Zealand is hoping to capture the hearts and minds of those who are concerned about the human rights violations in China, says Dr Cathy Casey, a member of the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun in China (CIPFG), initiators of the Relay.
"I encourage all New Zealanders to join this once-in-a-lifetime event to help us protect the Olympic principles and to help give voice for the millions of people suffering in China who are not given the right to speak out for themselves," she said.
The Auckland City Councillor is proud to be part of the relay that she says "is a reminder to us all that while China plays host to the world's athletes, it is also responsible for some of the worst abuses of human rights in the world and must be held to account."
Dr Casey said the Human Rights Torch Relay shines for the many victims of China's Communist regime, including Chinese citizens who practice Falun Gong - who the regime say are an enemy of the people and are banned from the 2008 Games.
"China is inviting the world's press to view its Olympic sporting facilities while at the same time it has consistently refused any international scrutiny of its prisons and military hospitals. This means that the many claims made by political prisoners of executions, torture and illegal organ harvesting have never been independently examined," she said.
Professor Li Dong, another CIPFG member and supporter of the Human Rights Torch said the Chinese communist regime is using the 2008 Olympic Games to establish its legitimacy.
"As a great sporting nation and lovers of outdoor activities, New Zealanders should not allow the spirit of Olympic movement to be tarnished by a communist dictatorship, which is abusing basic human rights and violating the Olympic principles on a daily basis," he said.
The Human Rights Torch has met with resistance from Chinese embassies in its travels through Europe and Australia so far.
The Chinese Consulate in Brisbane has disappointed Queensland State Parliamentary members by sending them letters intimating that there could be trade reprisals if they attended any Human Rights Torch Relay events in Queensland.
There have been no reports so far of New Zealand officials being contacted regarding the Human Rights Torch Relay.
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