Kia ora
The sunny image portrayed of Sri Lanka at the cricket world cup earlier this year is in stark contrast to earlier images of human rights abuses during the Government's war against the Tamils in 2009.
In June, a BBC documentary on the actions of the Sri Lankan military during this time shows that behind the cheery tourist image lies a regime denying evidence of war crimes.
I showed this documentary to fellow MPs and staff this week. Everyone who saw it would better understand why so many Sri Lankans of Tamil descent are still risking everything as boatpeople.
Keith Locke, Green MP
- recommended 
- includes video
In this issue
Take action
NZ's torture role Sign an Amnesty International petition asking for an investigation into the New Zealand Government's potential involvement in torture. Sign the petition
Events
Welfare Forums with Catherine Delahunty
'Welfare Reforms: A Recipe for Poverty'
Tuesday 23 August, 12-1pm -
Waimarie Community house, 53 Wellington Street, Hamilton East
Thursday 25 August, 12:30-1:30pm
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Grahamstown Community Hall, Thames
Russel Norman MP speaking in Christchurch on Policy Priority 2011: Clean Rivers
Monday 22 August, 6:15 - 7:15pm
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University of Canterbury, Central Lecture Theatre C3, Ilam Road, Christchurch
Kiwi kids are our future - public forum with Catherine Delahunty
Tuesday 23 August, 7-8:30pm
- Otumoetai Primary School Hall, Tauranga
Public Meeting with Keith Locke - New Zealand's place in the world
Monday 29 August, 7:30 - 9:00pm -
Community Centre, Golden Bay, Tasman
Looking after the Long-Term: The Green Party's Economic Vision
With Sue Kedgley and Kennedy Graham
Wednesday 31 August, 7:30-8:30pm
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Karori Community Centre, 235 Karori Road, Wellington
Press releases
Indonesian seafarers should stay till they are paid
11 August 2011
Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman should halt the deportation of 32 Indonesian seafarers, Green Party industrial relations spokesperson Keith Locke said today. Read more...
Blog posts
MPs stunned after seeing “Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields” - by Keith Locke
With some trepidation I helped organise a showing of “Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields” in the Beehive Theatrette last Tuesday. It is a shocking film, mainly using cell-phone footage to show what it was like for the 300,000 civilians repeatedly bombed and shelled by the Sri Lankan military in the final weeks of the civil war. Read more...
Paul Reeves the peacemaker - by Keith Locke
Sir Paul Reeves is rightly being remembered for his wide-ranging contribution to New Zealand society.
I wish to remember him as one of our foremost international peacemakers, particularly because of his work in Fiji and Guyana.
Sir Paul’s quiet manner and sense of fairness saw him chosen to head the Fiji Constitution Review Commission in 1995. Read more...
Why is our Super Fund profiting from Norilsk, one of the world’s dirtiest miners? - by Russel Norman
Norilsk Nickel is one of the world's largest producers of nickel and palladium, as well as Russia's leading gold producer. Read more...
British riots: addressing the “why” - by Keith Locke
David Cameron’s answer to the British riots seems to be better policing. Read more...
Batteries and the Basel Convention - by David Clendon
I asked some questions in the House on Thursday of the Minister for Environment, about how well (or more to the point how badly) we are meeting our obligations under the Basel Convention in regard to lead acid batteries.
The Convention came into force in the early ‘90s as a response to the then emerging trend of developed ‘rich’ countries exporting their hazardous and toxic waste to developing, ‘poor’ countries. Read more...
Parliament condemns killings in Syria - by Keith Locke
Yesterday I moved a motion in Parliament on Syria, which was passed unanimously. Read more...
Speeches
Tribute to Sir Paul Reeves - Dr Kennedy Graham - Notice of Motion - Kennedy Graham MP, 17 August 2011
This nation mourns the death of Sir Paul Reeves. Let us honour him in the manner he would wish, by resolving to live up to the standards he set. Watch video or read transcript...
Keith Locke - Estimates Debate In Committee stage - Foreign Affairs - Keith Locke MP, 10 August 2011
KEITH LOCKE (Green): Last week I moved a motion: "That this House condemn the shooting of pea Watch video or read transcript...
