Statement by UK human rights, women’s rights, LGB rights and child safeguarding groups condemning violent protests preventing women from speaking in New Zealand

[IwantToRetire]

... As activists for women’s rights, lesbian, gay and bisexual rights, child safeguarding and human rights in the UK, we condemn the actions of violent activists (while supporting the right to protest peacefully). We are dismayed by New Zealand’s failure to provide effective protection for free speech for women’s rights campaigners.

... We call on the Secretary of State, on behalf of the UK government, to join us in supporting the brave women speaking up for women’s rights in New Zealand, and in condemning the violent protesters. We call on the Secretary of State to ask for an immediate meeting with the New Zealand High Commissioner to seek assurances on the matters of human rights and free speech in New Zealand.

We call on the UK government to engage with the government of New Zealand to demand to know why Kellie-Jay Keen was unable to speak in public and had to leave the country.

The UK government must ask New Zealand what it is doing to support freedom of expression and association in a free society, and in particular what action it will now take to protect the rights of women and girls to speak freely without fear of violence.

Full statement and signatories at https://forwomen.scot/26/03/2023/let-women-speak-in-new-zealand/

Interest to note who has and who hasn't signed it.

Also statement from Alba:

The ALBA Party condemns the violent scenes at the Let Women Speak event in Auckland, New Zealand. Intimidation and the incitement of violence towards women, from whatever source, is unacceptable in any society. That these scenes took place in the first country in the world to recognise the right of women to vote and participate in political discourse, is deeply shocking and disturbing.

https://www.albaparty.org/let_women_speak_nz

Reem Alsalem UNSR Violence Against Women and Girls

concerning that in last few weeks, physical, political + online violence has intensified against #women asserting sex-based needs +spaces in several countries. Even where one may disagree with their views, that shouldn’t translate into a green light to threaten and attack them

https://twitter.com/UNSRVAW/status/1639983229888233472

Thanks Bosky - good to know. Reem Alsalem certainly seems strong enough to speak out on women's rights.

But did you see this? The Trans Activist who attacked Posie Parker has been invited to UN to Honour Women for Woman’s Month https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/4772535-the-trans-activist-who-attacked-posie-parker-has-been-invited-to-un-to-honour-women-for-womans-month

And a few more signatories now!

https://sex-matters.org/posts/updates/let-women-speak-in-new-zealand/

And a few more signatories now!

Can other groups sign? If so can you give the link to where they can do that. I can only find what looks like a finished document.

Thanks

.