New Zealand Must Apologize to Its Abandoned Covid-19 Citizens

List five reasons the New Zealand government should apologize for preventing its citizens from returning to their country during the Covid pandemic.

Duty to Protect Citizens: The primary responsibility of any government is to protect its citizens, especially during times of crisis. By preventing its citizens from returning home, the New Zealand government failed to fulfill this duty, putting the lives and well-being of its citizens at risk.
Human Rights Violation: The right to enter one’s own country is a fundamental human right recognized by international law. By denying its citizens the right to return home, the New Zealand government violated this fundamental human right, causing significant harm and distress to its citizens.
Separation from Family and Loved Ones: Many New Zealand citizens were separated from their families and loved ones due to the government’s travel restrictions. This caused significant emotional and psychological distress, which could have been avoided if the government had allowed its citizens to return home.
Economic Hardship: Many New Zealand citizens who were prevented from returning home during the pandemic faced significant economic hardship, such as loss of employment and financial insecurity. This hardship could have been mitigated if the government had facilitated their return and provided support upon their arrival.
Damage to International Reputation: The New Zealand government’s decision to prevent its citizens from returning home during the pandemic has damaged the country’s international reputation as a compassionate and responsible nation. A public apology would be a step towards restoring this reputation and rebuilding trust between the government and its citizens.

Elaborate on the duty to protect citizens. Citizenship is supposed to confer inalienable rights of return to the internationally recognized territory of said country.

The duty to protect citizens is a fundamental responsibility of any government. This duty is derived from the social contract between the government and its citizens, whereby citizens cede some of their individual freedoms and rights to the government in exchange for protection and security. In the case of New Zealand, as in most countries, this duty is enshrined in the country’s constitution and laws.

One aspect of this duty is the obligation to protect the right of citizens to enter their own country.

This right is recognized as a fundamental human right by international law and is enshrined in several international conventions, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. These conventions recognize that citizens have an inalienable right to return to their country, regardless of their circumstances.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented a unique challenge to governments around the world, including New Zealand. In order to contain the spread of the virus and protect the health and safety of its citizens, the New Zealand government implemented strict border controls and travel restrictions.

While these measures were necessary to protect public health, they also had the unintended consequence of preventing many New Zealand citizens from returning home.

As citizens, individuals have an inherent right to return to their country. This right is not conditional upon any specific circumstances, such as a global pandemic.

The New Zealand government had a duty to facilitate the return of its citizens, even in the midst of the pandemic. By preventing citizens from returning home, the government failed in its duty to protect its citizens and violated their fundamental human rights.

In conclusion, the duty to protect citizens includes the obligation to facilitate their right to return to their own country. This right is a fundamental human right recognized by international law, and the New Zealand government had a duty to protect this right for its citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Elaborate on what the New Zealand government did was a human rights violation.

Preventing New Zealand citizens from returning to their own country during the COVID-19 pandemic can be considered a violation of their fundamental human rights. The right to enter one’s own country is a well-established human right that is recognized in international human rights law, including in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The New Zealand government’s decision to prevent its citizens from returning home during the pandemic was a restriction on this right. This restriction affected thousands of New Zealand citizens who were stranded overseas, often in difficult circumstances, including those who were facing medical emergencies, stranded in conflict zones or separated from their families.

The right to return to one’s country is not an absolute right, and governments may impose restrictions on this right in certain circumstances. However, any such restrictions must be necessary and proportionate, and they must be implemented in a way that does not discriminate against any particular group or individual.

The New Zealand government’s travel restrictions were implemented with the objective of protecting public health and controlling the spread of COVID-19. While these objectives were legitimate, the government’s actions in preventing its citizens from returning home may not have been necessary or proportionate.

Moreover, the travel restrictions were implemented in a way that discriminated against New Zealand citizens who were stranded overseas, while allowing other groups, such as foreign workers and students, to enter the country. This may have breached the principle of non-discrimination, which is a core human rights principle.

In conclusion, the New Zealand government’s decision to prevent its citizens from returning to their own country during the COVID-19 pandemic may have constituted a violation of their fundamental human rights.

The government’s actions may not have been necessary or proportionate, and they may have discriminated against certain groups of citizens. The government has a duty to protect the human rights of its citizens, even during times of crisis, and it should take steps to ensure that such violations do not occur in the future.

Elaborate on the separation from family and loved ones.

One of the consequences of the New Zealand government’s decision to prevent its citizens from returning to their country during the COVID-19 pandemic was the separation of families and loved ones.

Many New Zealand citizens who were stranded overseas due to the government’s travel restrictions were unable to reunite with their families and loved ones, causing significant emotional and psychological distress.

For example, some New Zealand citizens were studying or working abroad when the pandemic struck, and they were unable to return home when the travel restrictions were imposed.

Others were traveling or visiting family members when the pandemic hit and found themselves stranded overseas. In many cases, these individuals were separated from their spouses, children, and other family members for months on end.

The separation from family and loved ones can have a profound impact on an individual’s emotional and psychological well-being. It can cause stress, anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation and loneliness.

For families, the separation can be particularly difficult, as parents may be separated from their children or siblings from each other. The inability to be together during times of crisis can also create a sense of helplessness and despair.

The New Zealand government had a duty to take into account the emotional and psychological well-being of its citizens when making decisions related to travel restrictions during the pandemic. While protecting public health was a legitimate objective, the government could have taken steps to facilitate the return of its citizens while ensuring appropriate health and safety measures were in place.

In conclusion, the separation from family and loved ones resulting from the New Zealand government’s decision to prevent its citizens from returning to their country during the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant emotional and psychological distress.

The government should consider the impact of its decisions on the well-being of its citizens, particularly during times of crisis, and take steps to mitigate any negative effects.

Elaborate on economic hardship for New Zealand citizens stranded abroad.

Another consequence of the New Zealand government’s decision to prevent its citizens from returning to their country during the COVID-19 pandemic was economic hardship for those stranded abroad. Many New Zealand citizens who were unable to return home due to the travel restrictions found themselves in difficult financial situations.

For example, some citizens were on short-term contracts or working holidays when the pandemic hit, and they lost their jobs or were unable to find new ones due to the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. Others were running low on savings or had to spend large sums of money on accommodation, food, and other expenses while stranded overseas.

The economic hardship experienced by these New Zealand citizens was compounded by the fact that many countries around the world were also struggling with the economic impact of the pandemic. This made it difficult for citizens to access financial assistance or find alternative sources of income.

The New Zealand government had a duty to consider the economic well-being of its citizens when making decisions related to travel restrictions during the pandemic. While protecting public health was a legitimate objective, the government could have taken steps to provide financial support or other assistance to citizens who were stranded abroad and facing economic hardship.

In conclusion, the economic hardship experienced by New Zealand citizens stranded abroad due to the government’s travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic was a significant consequence of these policies. The government should consider the impact of its decisions on the economic well-being of its citizens and take steps to provide financial support or other assistance when needed.

The last one is particularly interesting, because New Zealand has always been perceived as a very peaceful and benign country prior to Covid-19. Elaborate on the damage to its international reputation.

The New Zealand government’s decision to prevent its citizens from returning to their country during the COVID-19 pandemic had significant consequences for its international reputation.

New Zealand has historically been seen as a peaceful and benign country with a strong commitment to human rights and social justice. However, the government’s actions during the pandemic have undermined this reputation and raised concerns about its commitment to the rights and well-being of its citizens.

One of the ways in which the government’s actions have damaged New Zealand’s international reputation is by calling into question its commitment to the human rights of its citizens.

The right to return to one’s own country is a fundamental human right recognized by international law. By preventing its citizens from exercising this right, the New Zealand government has raised concerns about its respect for international human rights norms.

Another way in which the government’s actions have damaged New Zealand’s international reputation is by creating the impression that it is not a welcoming and inclusive country.

The travel restrictions and the inability of citizens to return to their country have sent a message that New Zealand is not open to its own citizens in times of crisis. This can create a sense of distrust and disillusionment among New Zealand citizens and the international community.

Furthermore, the government’s handling of the situation has also raised concerns about its preparedness and ability to respond to crises effectively. The government’s decision to prevent its citizens from returning to their country has been criticized for being hasty and lacking in compassion. This has created the impression that the government is not equipped to handle complex and rapidly evolving situations.

In conclusion, the New Zealand government’s decision to prevent its citizens from returning to their country during the COVID-19 pandemic has damaged its international reputation in several ways. The government’s actions have called into question its commitment to human rights, created the impression of a less welcoming and inclusive country, and raised concerns about its ability to respond to crises effectively.

This originally appeared on AI Wokeness and is reprinted here with the author’s permission.

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