'Don't shake with blood-stained hands': Protests over Myanmar military visit to New Zealand

Protesters gathering on Aotea Square in Auckland this afternoon as part of the ‘Keep Out the Butchers of Myanmar’ campaign. Photo: Danielle Hutchinson.

Demonstrators gathered in Auckland today to protest the granting of visas to Myanmar military officials.

Protest organisers, Keep Out the Butchers of Myanmar, say "It is unacceptable for any government to extend a hand of welcome to those responsible for atrocities and the suppression of democracy."

Members of the Myanmar junta are set to attend the ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue in Wellington later this month.

Vice President of New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, Rachel Mackintosh, is one of those calling for the visas to be revoked: "We stand for human rights everywhere and we stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar."

Other speakers expressing solidarity included Labour Party MP David Parker and Green Party MP Steve Abel.

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Sources:

Live footage of the protest:

'Myanmar anti-military coup movement in New Zealand' via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066476209541

'Keep Out the Butchers of Myanmar' via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/keepoutthebutchersofmyanmar/

Contacts:

Rachel Mackintosh New Zealand Council of Trade Unions https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-mackintosh-251b0946/

David Parker Labour Party David.Parker@parliament.govt.nz

Steve Abel Green party Steve.Abel@parliament.govt.nz