News

Support Grows for Gay Adoptions in New Zealand

May 28, 2012

By Mark O’Brien
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Proponents of gay adoptions in New Zealand got a boost over the weekend as an unlikely duo joined forces to sponsor a legalization bill and a major party showed signs of a changing tide.

Kevin Hague (left) and Nikki Kaye, MPs from opposing parties, are joining forces to sponsor a bill legalizing gay adoptions in New Zealand. (Photo Courtesy of The New Zealand Herald)

Political rivals Nikki Kaye and Kevin Hague announced they are teaming up to draft a bill to legalize adoption by gay couples. Kaye, a member of parliament from the right-leaning National Party, and Hague, a member of parliament from the leftist Green Party have been working on the initiative for about 18 months.

“We know there are thousands of same-sex couples bringing up children,” Kaye told 3 News. She said it was time for the law to recognize and support that.

Gay adoption has been outlawed in New Zealand since the Adoption Act was passed in 1955. The law only allows married couples to adopt, and Kaye said that creates a range of adoption problems for defacto heterosexual couples, same-sex couples, surrogate children, and the Maori customary adoption of “whangai,” where children are raised by other relatives.

“Kevin and I realize there are many complex policy and legal issues involved,” Kaye said in an interview with TVNZ. “That’s why we have taken an approach where if we work together from the center-left and the center-right, and work through a number of those issues and come up with a draft bill, we can process the law that way.”

The announcement of their partnership came after the National’s northern conference voted over the weekend to support adoption by civil union couples. Many viewed this as a precursor to a similar vote of support by the party’s national conference in July.

Efforts to overhaul the law have been led by younger members of the National Party, called the Young Nats, who sponsored the northern conference vote. Young Nats President Daniel Fielding called the Adoption Act “archaic” and told NZ Newswire that people spoke passionately about both sides of the issue at the conference.

“It was supported enough to be passed,” he said, though he would not disclose detailed results. The vote was held behind closed doors.

Kaye and Hague hope to finish their proposal of roughly 40 changes to New Zealand’s adoption and surrogacy laws within the next few months, and their efforts appear to be gaining high-level support.

“There are some wonderful adults out there that would love to be parents and would do a magnificent job, but they don’t get that opportunity,” Prime Minister John Key told TVNZ. When asked if the issue could be discussed on the Parliament floor, Key told Radio Live, “I’m not afraid to have debates on those areas.”

Key, however, told the New Zealand Herald that gay adoptions were not a priority given the nation’s economy.

“My own personal opinion is the issue of gay adoption is not hugely significant issue (sic) and it’s not because it doesn’t matter to those couples who might want to adopt children,” he said. “But the truth is less than 200 non-family adoptions take place in New Zealand at the moment.”

For further information, please see:

3 News — Support Grows for Gay Adoption Law Change — 28 May 2012

The New Zealand Herald — Gay Adoptions not a Priority – PM — 28 May 2012

The New Zealand Herald — Political Rivals Unite on Gay Adoptions — 28 May 2012

Radio New Zealand — National Party Begins Gay Adoption Debate — 28 May 2012

TVNZ — Key ‘Not Afraid’ to Back Gay Adoption Legislation — 28 May 2012

Yahoo! New Zealand — Young Nats Push for Gay Adoption — 28 May 2012

New Libyan Government Reaffirms Vow of Democracy to World Leaders

September 2, 2011

By Zach Waksman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

PARIS, France – Yesterday, the leaders of Libya’s National Transitional Council (NTC) met in Paris with representatives of 63 countries to discuss the country’s transition to a democratic regime. The nations in attendance agreed to give the provisional government $15 billion worth of frozen assets so that the rebuilding process can begin. During the meeting, NTC chairman Mustafa Abdel-Jalil vowed that Libya would have a new constitution and elections for a permanent government within the next 18 months.

While former leader Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi’s regime is all but dead, the man himself remains at large. The NTC has promised to continue its search for the recently deposed despot until he is found “dead or alive,” and would not consider the present conflict to be over until then. Despite this, Guma El-Gamaty, its representative in London, said that starting to undo the damage he wrought during his 42-year rule and the last six months of internal strife should not wait until that time comes.

“As long as Tripoli, the capital, is stabilized and secure and safe, which it almost is now, and the overwhelming majority of other cities and towns, then Libyans can get on with the process of transition and stabilization and the new political process,” El-Gamaty told the BBC.

Today, reconstruction minister Ahmad Jehani and rebuilding team member Aref Nayed, met with experts in post-conflict rebuilding from several groups, including the International Monetary Fund. Libya’s financial situation was further buoyed when the European Union lifted sanctions on 28 entities, including its oil companies and banks, which should ease the financial burden on its reconstruction needs. Five international oil companies have already arrived in order to help resume its operations.

“The issue of damage is not much and you can get procurement very fast,” Jehani reportedly said. “This is helped by the fact the producing wells are under contract to international firms, if they feel they can deploy their people.”

In the short term, the temporary government must restore supply lines for food, water, and medicine, while also ensuring continued security. Over the long term, the country expects to be capable of funding its own reconstruction because it is an oil-rich country with a small population.

Despite the positive vibes that emanated from the conference, which was held on the anniversary of Gaddafi’s ascension to power, the NTC remains in a tenuous position. Libya is a historically tribal nation. During the rebellion, these various tribes and ethnicities did not always fight as a single force, so unity is unclear. Because so many interests exist, the NTC will have to first gain their trust before they can continue with its ambitions plan to set up a government, which include having a draft constitution within eight months and full elections in 2013.

The road to prosperity may be long, but the NTC is optimistic. Though he said the world’s bet that the rebellion against Gaddafi would succeed paid off, Jalil did not consider the fight to be over yet.

“It’s up to you [the Libyan people] to accomplish what we promised: stability, peace and reconciliation,” he said. “We have to make sure that we fulfill our side of the deal. We must have security in Libya. Tolerance and forgiveness must be promoted. The state of law must be respected.”

More than 70 countries, including the United States and Russia, have recognized the NTC as Libya’s legitimate government.

For more information, please see:

BBC — Libya interim leaders vow tolerance and respect for law — 2 September 2011

Reuters — WRAPUP 3 – Libyans pledge democracy as they win Gaddafi billions — 2 September 2011

Tripoli Post — European Union Lifts Sanctions on Libya Imposed Under Al Qathafi — 2 September 2011

Tripoli Post — Libya’s New Leaders Reaffirm Commitment to Democracy, Good Governance — 2 September 2011

New York Times — Libya’s Supporters Gather in Paris to Help Ease New Government’s Transition — 1 September 2011

New York Times — Russia Recognizes Libya Rebels as World Leaders Meet — 1 September 2011

Anti-government protests erupt in Libya

February 16, 2011

By Polly Johnson
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

BENGHAZI, Libya – In the wake of mass protests in Egypt and Tunisia, anti-government demonstrators took to the streets of Libya late Tuesday, clashing with police and government supporters.

Demonstrators gathered Wednesday morning to show support for detained human rights activist, outspoken government critic and lawyer Fathi Terbil, who was released on Wednesday morning. Dozens have already been injured.

Protestors chanted “Down, down to corruption and to the corrupt,” and “No God but Allah, Moammar is the enemy of Allah,” directed at Colonel Moammar el-Qaddafi, who has ruled Libya for four decades.

Demands for Qaddafi’s resignation came in the form of a statement, which was signed by political activists, lawyers, students and government officials. Various prominent Libyans and members of human rights organizations have said that Libyans have the right to express themselves through peaceful demonstrations without retaliation by the ruling regime.

As reported by CNN, one source close to Libya’s government speaking anonymously said, “There is nothing serious here. These are just young people fighting with each other.”

However, police reportedly fired tear gas and used other violent means to disperse protestors.

Amnesty International called on the Libyan government to permit peaceful protests. Malcom Smart, Amnesty International’s director for the Middle East and North Africa, said, “The Libyan authorities must allow peaceful protests, not try to stifle them with heavy-handed repression,” adding, “Libyans have the same rights as Egyptians and Tunisians to express discontent and call for reform in their own country, and it is high time the Libyan government recognized that and respect it.”

“The Libyan authorities have a responsibility to maintain public order, but they also have a responsibility to uphold human rights, including the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” Smart said.

Other protests have erupted in Bahrain, Yemen, Iran and Algeria, indicating the widespread impact of Egypt’s successful protests.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Violent protests break out in Libya – 16 February 2011

Amnesty International – Libya urged to end protest crackdown – 16 February 2011

BBC – Libya protests: Second city Benghazi hit by violence – 16 February 2011

Bloomberg – Bahrain, Yemen, Libya Face Protests as Region’s Unrest Spreads – 16 February 2011

CNN – Protests spread to Libya – 16 February 2011

NPR – Fire From Egypt, Tunisia Flares Across Arab World – 16 February 2011

Brazil’s President Approves Construction Of Dam That Threatens Devastation On Indigenous Peoples

August 31, 2010

By Patrick Vanderpool
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BRASILIA, Brazil – Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva recently signed a contract allowing the construction of a controversial dam to begin. The Belo Monte mega dam, as it is being called, is set to be built on the Amazonian Xingu River. President Lula championed the dam under the guise that it will be a victory for Brazil’s energy sector and the Brazilian government claims that the project will create 20,000 jobs. Critics contend that, in all likelihood, the dam will devastate the area and cause the demise of the local government and indigenous peoples.

Walter Coronado Antunes, former Environment Secretary of São Paulo state, has called the dam “the worst engineering project in the history of hydroelectric dams in Brazil, and perhaps of any engineering project in the world,” in response to the many design flaws of the project.

The buildup to this move has been wrought with controversy and legal action from the area’s indigenous peoples and human rights groups. The bidding process was interrupted three times by legal action by different groups, including the Brazilian Federal Public Prosecutors Office, who object to the dam. Hundreds of Indians are currently protesting, joined by experts, human rights groups, environmental organizations, and Brazil’s Public Ministry, against the Belo Monte dam.

Set to be the world’s third largest hydroelectric dam, Belo Monte is projected to flood 154 square miles and will permanently dry up a 62-mile section of the Xingu River, leaving the indigenous communities along the banks without water transportation and the food provided by the river, according to International Rivers, a California-based NGO. Initial numbers project that the dam will affect 50,000 peoples’ lives, including displacing at least 20,000 people from the region.

The indigenous peoples have warned that the creation of this dam could start a war between the Brazilian government and the local Indians.

Critics fear that this project sets a dangerous precedent and more dams will follow Belo Monte. These critics also say that the power needed for Brazil’s economic growth could be greatly reduced by less invasive measures, including investing in energy saving techniques.

The dam is scheduled to begin operating in 2015. It will generate enough power to supply 23 million homes in Brazil.

For more information, please see:

The Epoch Times – Brazilian Government Signs Huge Amazon Dam Project – 27 August 2010

Radio New Zealand News – Massive Hydro Electric Dam Approved For Brazil – 27 August 2010

Survival International – Brazilian President Signs Death Sentence for Amazonian River – 27 August 2010

Survival International – Serious Damage: Tribal Peoples and Large Dams Report – 2010

Arrest of the China Democracy Party Founder

December 29, 2008

By Ariel Lin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BEIJING, China– Guo Quan, a former associate professor at Nanjing Normal University and the acting chairman of the newly established China New Democracy Party, was arrested by police near his Nanjing home. “He tried to set up an opposition party, they accused him of ‘subversion of state power,’ ” Mrs. Guo’s wife said. “They told me that he had been formally arrested, but they didn’t give me any details,” Li said. “They gave a bunch of documents to his mother.”

Nanjing Police Department agents sent Mr. Guo’s mother a letter denying her request to hire a lawyer because her son’s case involved “state secrets.” She says, “(They) arrested my son and forbade us to visit him and hire a lawyer. Does that mean they are going to try him secretly? I am upset! My son was arrested for being a human rights activist; now who is going to protect his human rights? I love my son, so I hired a lawyer, but the regime would not let the lawyer accept the case. How could his only act, writing an open letter to Hu Jintao, be deemed subversion?” The authorities denied Guo’s family attorney’s request to visit him.

Mr. Guo’s defense attorney Guo Lianhui commented that Guo made his differing political views public, and the authorities mobilized the state machinery to suppress him. “My client published a series of articles called ‘Democratic Voice’ and pointed out that there is no democracy and observance of human rights in China.” attorney Guo Lianhui added.

Mr. Guo founded China New Democracy Party to represent anyone petitioning the government and the ruling Communist Party for social justice in land disputes, forced evictions, and allegations of official wrongdoing. He wrote 347 articles and offered constructive suggestions to the Chinese Communist Party. However, Mr. Guo was fired from Nanjing Normal University for allegedly violating its constitution and rules on the conduct of faculty. Then, Mr. Guo was expelled from the Communist-approved token opposition group Democratic Parties and Factions.

For more information, please see:

The Epoch Times – Beijing Arrests Acting Chairman of the China New Democracy Party – 24 December 2008

The Epoch Times – China Democracy Party Founder’s Mother Talks About His Arrest – 15 December 2008

Radio Free Asia – Blogger Charged with Subversion – 22 December 2008