IMO you are missing the point, being so defensive about the title of this thread, and about your country, I will say it again I am proud to be a New Zealander, it does not mean I will stand behind my country if my government is doing something that IMO is atrocious.

Just simply saying all countries have their cruelty's is like burying one's head in the sand,even if it is true, it is up to us to see that these practices and all cruel one's are stopped.

IMO it is the government that is behind it all, you have to continue to petition to stop these barbaric un-necessary actions.