NZ suspends dialogue with Iran

[Lilith7]

Finally, the govt has been able to suspend dialogue with Iran once it was certain those two 'influencers' were out of Iran.


https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/477...o-violence

"New Zealand is suspending its bilateral Human Rights Dialogue with Iran as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announce New Zealand's response to anti-regime protests crackdown in Iran.

The two countries first established dialogue in 2018 to discuss human rights concerns. The first session was held in 2021 and the next was due to take place later this year.

But foreign affairs minister Nanaia Mahuta said bilateral approaches on human rights are no longer tenable when Iran is denying basic human rights and violently suppressing protests.

There have been widespread protests in Iran for weeks, in response to the death of 22 year old Mahsa Amini, who died in custody after being arrested for violating the country's dress code.


The government had so far been quiet on the issue - with recent news of two New Zealanders, Topher Richwhite and Bridget Thackwray arriving safely in New Zealand after having their movements restricted by Iranian authorities."





https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politic...government

[C_T_Russell]

Well it all makes sense now why Jacinda was not making a stand earlier, seems they knew about this for some time and thats why it was all kept under wraps.

Let it be a warning to others who travel there that they may not get help next time.

[Lilith7]

Well it all makes sense now why Jacinda was not making a stand earlier, seems they knew about this for some time and thats why it was all kept under wraps.

Let it be a warning to others who travel there that they may not get help next time.

Its still difficult to credit, that some people can be so stupid as to go to Iran.

[harm_less]

Well it all makes sense now why Jacinda was not making a stand earlier, seems they knew about this for some time and thats why it was all kept under wraps.

Let it be a warning to others who travel there that they may not get help next time.

Its still difficult to credit, that some people can be so stupid as to go to Iran.

Just an example of how out of touch with the real world those who lead entitled lives are.

[nzoomed]

Well it all makes sense now why Jacinda was not making a stand earlier, seems they knew about this for some time and thats why it was all kept under wraps.

Let it be a warning to others who travel there that they may not get help next time.

Its still difficult to credit, that some people can be so stupid as to go to Iran.

I once met a person who went through iran on a car rally called the Peking to Paris where they traveled the whole way across from China to France. That would have been pretty scary, but not as scary as the time Gareth Morgan took his motorbike through North Korea!
I wouldn't want to set foot in either country.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

I find I am a bit uncomfortable with postponing a planned and considered political and diplomatic response in order to assist two idiot New Zealanders get out of a potentially difficult situation they chose to put themselves in for financial gain.

Consider the situation the kiwi nurse, Louisa Akavi found herself in, in Syria, and the very limited response two different governments have made to that difficult challenge.

Is postponing this human rights response move really any different to paying a ransom to an armed group on order to rescue a selfless committed health worker, endangered while carrying out her employment role?

And while I understand the rationale behind both decisions, and do not envy those who had to stand under that Damocles sword, I am still discomfited by the reality that one very brave woman still languishes under appalling conditions in some Middle Eastern cesspit, when she could have come home courtesy of a quietly paid ransom, while these two superficial c list celebs will dine out for life on their ill considered 'adventure' and our government grandstands with a bit of meaningless political metaphorical headslapping...

[Lilith7]

I think probably it has to do with the kidnappers saying that Louisa Akavi would be killed if there was publicity about her being held hostage. But you're right - if somehow an intermediary could have quietly paid a ransom, that may have been a better outcome, though it may have meant that further hostages wouldn't be released unless ransom was paid.
Its a difficult situation all round when dealing with unreasonable or fanatical people.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

Ransoms are paid though, if they weren't, there would be no hostage taking industry in these countries. Why bother if there is no reward?

Appeasing criminal captors happens. We have just done that with Iran by holding back on that diplomatic slapping. Prisoner exchanges are appeasement. Ransoms are appeasement. It strikes me we say 'No ransom will be paid' then we bend over backwards to rescue some, but not all.

And I don't know what the right - moral? - answer is to the conundrum... But I remain uncomfortable.

[Lilith7]

Ransoms are paid though, if they weren't, there would be no hostage taking industry in these countries. Why bother if there is no reward?

Appeasing criminal captors happens. We have just done that with Iran by holding back on that diplomatic slapping. Prisoner exchanges are appeasement. Ransoms are appeasement. It strikes me we say 'No ransom will be paid' then we bend over backwards to rescue some, but not all.

And I don't know what the right - moral? - answer is to the conundrum... But I remain uncomfortable.

Well, we should be very uncomfortable about it, despite not having the answer. There are things in this world which should make us all uncomfortable.