The current New Zealand government has a “Trumpian accent” that should be a red flag for the people, one of the world’s leading human rights voices says.
Amnesty International secretary-general Agnès Callamard spoke this week on 30 with Guyon Espiner during her first official visit to New Zealand.
Once a country that was seen internationally as “punching above its weight” in terms of human rights, Callamard said it was not currently seen as having a strong voice.
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“New Zealand has always been a country that, what is the expression, punched above its weight. In human rights terms, in solidarity terms, you know, by holding the line on a number of very fundamental questions.
“Right now, this is not what is happening.”
This led to the government having a “certain Trumpian accent”, she said.
Amnesty’s top official says New Zealand is losing its reputation as a human rights leader Video: RNZ News
“These are red flags, I think, for the New Zealand people, because, you know, the shift can happen very quickly.
“At Amnesty International, we are worried about this evolution. Internationally, we don’t hear New Zealand. We haven’t heard New Zealand on some of the fundamental challenges that we are confronting, including Israel’s genocide, Palestine or climate.”
Critical of Trump
Callamard was critical of United States President Donald Trump — saying she would not give him any credit for his actions regarding the Gaza ceasefire.
“For the last 10 months of power, he has shielded Israel,” Callamard said.
“Everyone agrees that this ceasefire, this deal, could have been made in March. This deal could have been made in June.
“Okay, it’s being made now. But why did we have to wait so long? Israel would never have been able to do what they’ve done without the support of the US.”
She said she was “super happy” the bombing had stopped but she would not thank the US for waiting “24 months” to act.
New Zealand’s silence on issues, including the war in Gaza, was being noticed internationally, she said, with “dwindling voices coming from the Western world”.
‘Speak loud. We need you’
It was something she had raised with the government itself, although not resonating in a positive way.
“They don’t see it that way. I see it that way. We just have to leave it at that.
“We have different views on how New Zealand stands right now, and it is a critical juncture for the world and any voice that we don’t hear any more for the protection of the rules-based order is dramatic.
“I want to invite the New Zealand people and New Zealand leaders to really please speak up. Speak loud. We need you.”
The Prime Minister’s Office has been contacted for comment.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
