Academics urge PM Jacinda Ardern to take stand against Chinese intervention

Monday, 26 November 2018

Academics and human rights advocates say the Government needs to take a firm stand against foreign influence following reports of the harassment of China expert Anne-Marie Brady, pictured.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been urged to make clear that foreign attacks on academic freedom will not be tolerated.

Reports of the intimidation and harassment of University of Canterbury professor Anne-Marie Brady have 'shocked and disturbed' 29 researchers and human rights advocates who signed an open letter to Ardern on Monday.

Brady, who has produced high profile work on overseas influence campaigns by the Chinese government, had her office burgled last year and her home broken into in February. She also alleged her car had been tampered with earlier this month.

The letter's signatories urged 'New Zealand authorities to take the threats against Professor Brady more seriously'.

* CCTV put in office of China expert Anne-Marie Brady after burglary

* Finger pointed at China over burglary of Kiwi academic**

* Anne-Marie Brady says her car was sabotaged

'Attempts to intimidate and harass one academic in New Zealand have implications for the freedoms of all the others – and indeed, for the freedoms of all who live here, including migrant communities and tangata whenua,' the letter said.

'Freedom of expression and academic freedom are taken for granted in New Zealand, as givens upon which our social and political norms are based.

'Threats to these freedoms should not be taken lightly. In these uncertain times, these are principles to hold to, and are not to be traded away.'

Ardern said she supported and defended the right to academic freedom, but would not comment further on Brady's case while police continued two investigations – one into the burglaries of Brady's home and office and another into the alleged sabotage of her car.

Ardern has asked intelligence agencies to investigate whether Brady may have been targeted for her research on China, but said she is yet to receive any reports back.

'Quite frankly, if I received a direct report that said there was an issue that could be directly attributable to China, or at Chinese direction, we would act on that.'

She declined to say what that action might be, and whether it would involve conversations with Chinese officials.

Brady made waves last year with her report Magic Weapons, which presented New Zealand as a case study of China's growing use of 'soft power' tactics in areas like party politics, media and education.

In February, her Riccarton home was burgled. Three laptops, including one on which she wrote the paper, two cellphones and an encrypted memory stick from her last trip to China were taken.

Brady said she also received a letter the same week warning her of 'what was going on' and saying she would be attacked.

Sociologist Tze Ming Mok, who coordinated Monday's open letter, said the Government needed to make clear 'there are certain red lines we do not cross' in New Zealand.

'The silence around the issues [of alleged Chinese interference] during a critical year of trade negotiations means people are asking questions.'

Ming Mok said concerns about restrictions on academic freedom in New Zealand are usually domestic, regarding interference by police or security services.

When such concerns involved overseas actors, our only source of accountability was the Government, she said.

'We make assumptions that we have these political standards and democratic norms in New Zealand. When these are challenged, we can't just assume they will take care of themselves.'

Margaret Taylor, a spokeswoman for signatory Amnesty International, said it was not conspiratorial to suggest the Chinese Government might be targeting Brady.

Amnesty's research showed Chinese ex-pats were concerned they were being spied on by their own government, Taylor said.

'With Professor Brady, it would appear the possibility is that China is now targeting a foreign national.'

The open letter will be tabled at the New Zealand Political Studies Association's annual conference on Monday evening.

It is understood the association is considering ways to support Brady.

Brady did not return requests for comment.