25 Aug 2016

NZ urged to stand up against PNG and Nauru camps

7:48 pm on 25 August 2016
Protestors outside parliament in Wellington call for the closure of Australia's asylum seeker camps

Protestors outside parliament in Wellington call for the closure of Australia's asylum seeker camps Photo: RNZI/ Sally Round

Protestors and opposition MPs in Wellington say New Zealand should be holding Australia to account over its treatment of asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus Island.

A protest against the camps and Canberra's policies towards asylum seekers was held outside parliament today (Thursday) followed by a march to the Australian High Commission.

Green MPs told the protestors to keep putting pressure on the New Zealand government not to support Canberra on the issue.

Marama Davidson said the Prime Minister John Key who promotes anti-violence in New Zealand needs to walk the talk over the camps where human rights are being abused.

"He's a White Ribbon Ambassador and part of that campaign is about checking in on how your neighbours are going and if you are seeing any violence, report it and he has not done the same."

Ms Davidson said the New Zealand government has failed to show global leadership on human rights despite its seat on the UN Security Council.