Global Peace And Justice Auckland Newsletter #71, October 11, 2004

Website http://www.gpja.pl.net/ Contact details: Forums - John Minto, (09) 846 3173, jbminto@xtra.co.nz; Newsletter Editor - Mike Treen 0212547440 / 3616989 miket@pl.net Web page – Bruce Hubbard (09) 6232667 or 027 256 3933 Rulesofthegame@clear.net.nz Donations can be sent to GPJA, Private Bag 68905, Newton, Auckland. All communication regarding the GPJA mailing list (email or snail) should be addressed to gpja@xtra.co.nz

Dear friends,

There are several important events worth supporting this week. GPJA is helping sell a new book on the Zhaoui case with proceeds to his family. There is a meeting for a Human Rights worker from the Philippines this Wednesday and a Hikoi against the governments foreshore legislation this Saturday. (Details below)

WEBSITE VOLUNTEER NEEDED The GPJA website needs one or two more volunteers to share the work. If you have some skills in this area please contact bern@ihug.co.nz

ZHAOUI BOOK RELEASE "I ALMOST FORGOT ABOUT THE MOON" - the disinformation campaign against Ahmed Zaoui - is now available from GPJA at the UNITE office - $15 with all proceeds to go to the Zaoui family. This book is a brilliant expose by Scoop Media editor Selwyn Manning of the campaign to discredit Zaoui by Algeria and France and the complicity of New Zealand officials in this as our country has tried to paint itself as a loyal footsoldier in the war on terror. Get in early for XMAS - no I'm not joking - and help make the Zaoui XMAS a bit happier! Order from miket@pl.net, or get a copy from the Unite Office, Ground Floor, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn

"The power of the executive to cast a man into prison without formulating any charge known to the law, and particularly to deny him the judgment of his peers, is in the highest degree odious, and the foundation of all totalitarian government whether Nazi or Communist." Winston Churchill

MARCH AGAINST RACISM BACKED BY COMMUNITIES Against a backdrop of concerns about racist attacks and harassment, ethnic community leaders and prominent New Zealanders from diverse cultural backgrounds are endorsing a planned anti-racism march in Wellington. The March for a Multicultural Aotearoa’ is a response to attacks in the Wellington area against Somalis, Jewish cemeteries, Maori, ethnic community centres and activist centres. These attacks have all been linked to the National Front, a white supremacist group which plans to march to Parliament against Asian immigration this Labour weekend. The March for a Multicultural Aotearoa will march to Parliament on the same day, meeting first at the courtyard of Te Papa at midday, Saturday 23 October. If you would like further media comment please contact MCA spokesperson Tze Ming Mok (Ms) mob: 021-1132215, wk: 04-918-9580, hm: 04-389-3351 tzemingdynasty@yahoo.co.nz For more information about Multicultural Aotearoa visit our webpage http://www.mca.enzyme.org.nz

CRITICAL WRITERS WANTED The Bruce Jesson Foundation is looking for people who want to take a critical look at an important issue facing New Zealand. The foundation, set up after the death of journalist-politician Bruce Jesson in 1999, is offering up to $3000 for "critical, informed, analytical and creative journalism or writing which will contribute to public debate in New Zealand on an important issue or issues". It will help to pay for travel, toll calls or simply living costs for the time it takes to do the work. The fund is available for articles, reports, pamphlets, books, radio or television programmes, films, websites or any other publications which are aimed at, and accessible by, the general public of New Zealand or any part of New Zealand. The first round of applications for the new fund earlier this year drew eight applicants. The award pool was split equally with grants of $1500 each to journalist Nicky Hager, for a book on New Zealand’s alliance links with the US, Australia, Canada and Britain, and to community worker Tina McIvor for a study on the culture of the Ministry of Social Development's Benefit Control Unit. Applications for the second round close on 21 January 2005. Details are available at http://www.brucejesson.com Critical Writing Fund committee: Rebecca Jesson, 09 521 8118, rjesson@xtra.co.nz; Simon Collins, 09 373 6473 (work), 09 846 4699 (home), 021 612 423, simoncollins@clear.net.nz; Finlay Macdonald, 09 415 4700 (work).

CWS VIDEOS “The Global Banquet: Politics of Food” and its sequel “Globalization and Hunger, Winners and Losers” are two 25- minute videos which reveal the enormous tangled web of the global systems which work to deprive people of their right to food – even though they are supposed to do the opposite. If you have not seen either of these videos, contact CWS, stating when you would like to borrow a copy. cws@cws.org.nz http://www.cws.org.nz

AUSTRALIAN LATIN AMERICAN SOLIDARITY CONFERENCE NOV 6 http://www.cislac.org.au

WHAT'S ON IN AUCKLAND

Wednesday, October 13, 7pm, Trades hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn MARIE HILAO-ENRIQUEZ, FILIPINO HUMAN RIGHTS LEADER TOURING NZ OCTOBER 2004 THE PHILIPPINES IN THE FIRING LINE - AMERICA'S "SECOND FRONT IN THE WAR ON TERROR’"AND THE IMPACT ON HUMAN RIGHTS. Marie Hilao-Enriquez is the head of Karapatan, one of the biggest and best known human rights groups in the Philippines, and also of Selda, the organisation of former political prisoners from the 1970s and 80s martial law dictatorship of the late Ferdinand Marcos. Marie herself was a Marcos prisoner and her family suffered badly (one sister was murdered by the military, another two siblings were imprisoned). Marie has been a leading figure in the Philippine human rights movement for the past 30 years. For Auckland details contact: Luke Coxon; ph (09) 8276059; mobile 027 2487005; e-mail: luke.coxon@finsec.org.nz Donations are welcome, to help with costs. Please make cheques to PSNA, with a note saying that it is for the Hilao-Enriquez Tour. Or you can make a donation directly into our bank account. If you do so, record it as a donation for the Hilao-Enriquez Tour and include your name. Send us an e-mail to tell us and let us know your name and address. Our account details: Philippines Solidarity Network, Kiwibank, 155 The Terrace, Wellington. Account number 389000 0792619 00. Details re other centres contact Philippines Solidarity Network of Aotearoa, Box 2450, Christchurch, New Zealand cafca@chch.planet.org.nz http://www.converge.org.nz/psna THERE WILL BE A TV TO WATCH ‘ENEMY OF THE STATE’ FOLLOWING MARIE’S MEETING.

Wednesday, October 13, 8.30pm, TV1 Enemy of the State. Ahmed Zaoui has been imprisoned in New Zealand for nearly two years without charges and without trial. But is he the terrorist the Government and the SIS would have us believe... or is he simply the victim of a military dictatorship? Reporter Alex van Wel and Director Mike Valintine travel into Algeria to investigate Zaoui's life. With hidden cameras they probe the allegations made against him and discover who made them. Enemy of the State follows the trail of evidence against Zaoui through five countries in Europe and Asia in an investigation which raises serious questions about the credibility of the case against him. Alex van Wel also talks to the Algerian military, the French Secret Service and to Zaoui's family, friends and colleagues.

Thursday, October 14, Village, Queen St, City THE CORPORATION is coming to NZ. Winner of 22 awards including AUDIENCE AWARDS for DOCUMENTARY in WORLD CINEMA at the 2004 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL and for BEST DOCUMENTARY at the recent Sydney Film Festival. In today's context it is a political act to see a film like The Corporation in a commercial movie theatre. Please go see it during it's first week run. If enough people go to the film it will be held over. This is the only way it will remain in theatres and therefore reach the widest audience possible. THE CORPORATION is resonating with audiences all over the world. Analyzing the very nature of the corporate institution, its impacts on our planet, and what people are doing in response, filmmakers Mark Achbar (co-director of MANUFACTURING CONSENT), Jennifer Abbott and Joel Bakan provide a darkly amusing account of the institution's evolution as a legal "person," and a powerful indictment of the roots of corporate power. For more information visit http://thecorporation.com

Saturday, October 16, 10am, Queen St to Bastion Point. Hikoi commences 10 am HIKOI TAKUTAIMOANA II. No Confiscation! No Privatisation! He karanga tenei! Nau mai! Haere mai! Tautoko mai! ASSEMBLE: Mayoral Drive Auckland. ROUTE: Down Queen Street, Customs Street, Quay Street, Tamaki Drive (escort by waka taua), then up Kitemoana Street to Orakei Marae (Bastion Point) Parking at Bastion Point. Shuttle service for drivers back to Mayoral Drive. Dress: Best for the Day. BYO: food, drink, caps, sunblock, umbrellas etc. Buses will be available for Kaumatua from the bottom of Queen Street to Bastion Point. Questions? Contact Nga Tai o Te Reinga:Bernie Hornfeck 025 612 5313 bernieh@clear.net.nz; Kiri Potaka Dewes 027 4788 328 kiri@wave.co.nz; Te Ururoa Flavell 027 295 6135 te.matakahi@xtra.co.nz; Annette Sykes 021 243 2172 asykes@clear.net.nz; Teressa Te Moni 07 348 3552 teressat@paradise.net.nz; Te Orohi Paul 027 255 3658 teorohi.paul@xtra.co.nz Or watch for weekly updates on our website: http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/hikoi2.htm ALL Koha gratefully accepted to: Kiwi Bank Te Ngae Account Number: 389002-0653401-00

Sunday 17th October 7pm, the Comedy Classic, 321 Queens St. INDYMEDIA DOCUMENTARY FILM NIGHT http://www.indymedia.org.nz "OUTFOXED: Murdoch's War on Journalism" examines how media empires, led by Rupert Murdoch's Fox News, have been running a "race to the bottom" in television news. This film provides an in-depth look at Fox News and the dangers of ever-enlarging corporations taking control of the public's right to know. The film explores Murdoch's burgeoning kingdom and the impact on society when a broad swath of media is controlled by one person. Prominent Media experts provide context and guidance for the story of Fox News and its effect on society. This documentary also reveals the secrets of Former Fox news producers, reporters, bookers and writers who expose what it's like to work for Fox News. These former Fox employees talk about how they were forced to push a "right-wing" point of view or risk their jobs. Some have even chosen to remain anonymous in order to protect their current livelihoods. As one employee said "There's no sense of integrity as far as having a line that can't be crossed." Director/Producer Robert Greenwald is the Executive Producer of Unprecedented which Aotearoa Indymedia screened last year. 74 mins. More info: http://www.outfoxed.org/

Tuesday, October 19, 6.00pm - 7.30pm, Room 039, The Clocktower, The University of Auckland Clash of Civilisations: Myth or Reality? A lecture by Ahmed Zaoui. Entering the country as a refugee escaping a death sentence from the brutal Algerian military regime, Ahmed Zaoui has now spent almost two years in prison. While initially marked as having terrorist links by the government, the Refugee Status Appeals Authority, the Human Rights Foundation and Amnesty International have all argued he is a refugee and peace activist. It is this controversy over his identity that has made Zaoui one of New Zealand's most talked about men. However, Zaoui himself has been unable to answer to these claims, trapped in the media shutdown of Auckland's Central Remand Prison. This will be one of the first opportunities to hear his voice in the public arena. In this lecture, Zaoui will draw from his knowledge as a former Professor of Comparative Religious Studies on how the events of September 11, 2001 have affected the Western perception of Islam. The issues that he raises shed light not only on the Algerian situation, but also on the way the current international climate has changed the face of New Zealand politics. Zaoui's plight has the potential to impact on us all, touching on many of the cornerstone foundations of our society, such as democracy, national security and multiculturalism. In the absence of Zaoui's attendance, Professor Andrew Sharp from the Department of Political Studies will read his lecture, followed by a panel discussion and an opportunity to ask questions.

Wednesday, October 20, 7pm, Wellpark College of Natural Therapies, 6 Francis St, Grey Lynn Join the Food Revolution – change the world one bite at a time ith Green MP Sue Kedgley and runner Alison Roe. Find out what’s really in your food and what we can do to ensure it is safe:sustainably produced; accurately labelled; free from disease and antibiotics; ethically marketed. The purpose of the campaign is to ensure through consumer pressure that all food sold in New Zealand is sustainably produced, accurately labelled, drug free and ethically marketed. The campaign is largely web-based and allows concerned consumers to send e-cards to manufacturers and the Government calling for safe food. E-cards have already been developed for mandatory country of origin labelling, drug-free food and a call to stop the importation of irradiated fruit. Come along to this meeting to find out what you can do to ensure all food in this country is SAFE. To find more about Join the Food Revolution, go to http://www.greens.org.nz/ food-revolution For more information about the meeting, contact greenmps.wellington@greens.org.nz or call (04) 381-4640.

Thursday, October 28, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn. FOUNDING GENERAL MEETING OF PRIVATE ENGLISH LANGUAGE SCHOOLS TEACHERS ASSOC. All teachers welcome to join and help improve the situation for teachers in the industry. For further info contact miket@pl.net

Monday, November 1, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn GPJA FORUM: The struggle for justice and self-determination in the South Pacific.

Monday, November 15, 6.30pm, Maidment Theatre at Auckland University MAORI ACADEMIC TO SPEAK ON "INDIGENOUS" DEBATE. A leading Maori academic will analyse cabinet minister Trevor Mallard's claim that Maori and Pakeha "are both indigenous people to New Zealand now" in this year's Bruce Jesson lecture. Ani Mikaere, director of the postgraduate law and philosophy programme at Te Wananga o Raukawa, has titled her lecture: "Are we all New Zealanders now? A Maori response to the Pakeha quest for indigeneity." Entry is free, but seats cannot be reserved and the audience must be seated by 6.15pm. A bar will be open from 5.30pm and after the lecture.

December 2-5, Massey University, Albany An International Interdisciplinary Conference on Restorative Justice to be held at Centre for Justice and Peace Development Massey University Albany Auckland. "NEW FRONTIERS IN RESTORATIVE JUSTICE: ADVANCING THEORY AND PRACTICE" To express interest in attending and/or to offer a presentation email newfrontiers@massey.ac.nz or write to Dr. Warwick Tie, Centre for Justice and Peace Development, School of Social and Cultural Studies, Massey University, Private Bag 102 904, North Shore MSC, Auckland. Closing date for the submission of abstracts is the 31st May 2004. Conference URL: http://justpeace.massey.ac.nz/

BEST ON THE WEB

INDYMEDIAS WEB SERVERS CONFISCATED BY FBI US seizes webservers from independent media sites American authorities have shut down 20 independent media centres by seizing their British-based webservers. http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/news/0,12597,1324419,00.html

GE FREE NEWS AND ACTION FROM 90 DEGREES This is a big action week - so read on if you want to be involved. Submissions are urgently needed on a Commerce Commission proposal. Unless changed, the new rules will kill GE-Free labelling through fear of prosecution. Send an e-card on the latest GE stories - including the GE corn we eat here but which is known to have caused abnormalities in rats. There's a great resource for local body candidates - so print it out and pass it on. And the buyer's guide features baby food and formula. Forward this email to anyone you know who doesn't want to see GE released here. Encourage them to sign up for our free email newsletters http://www.90degrees.co.nz/register.aspx Thumbs down for MON863 corn: Abnormal rats give Europeans the willies http://www.90degrees.net.nz/view.aspx?id=Aox3vY85x0-6xhKB-*wtTQ GE grass gets out: Pollen spreads 21km from field trial http://www.90degrees.net.nz/view.aspx?id=u4qtCZLjCE6ynxdGnMa7eQ Action - Submissions on GE-Free labelling: "Fear-factor" likely to push out GE-Free labels http://www.90degrees.net.nz/view.aspx?id=d9Jk1alVsEySvB*QwyvdfA Action - Great resource for council candidates: What can councils can do about GE? http://www.90degrees.net.nz/view.aspx?id=ydFIXsx*iUmC-UUzDfiMLg Monsanto off the hook: Companies can withhold feeding studies says FSANZ http://www.90degrees.net.nz/view.aspx?id=CvmhNKYlP0aE5FlT7iYsNA Action - Push for GE-Free chicken feed: Take action this weekend http://www.90degrees.net.nz/view.aspx?id=VaLqsFaowkKwll*-pHcdMw Click on the link below to get the latest newsletter for notice boards (Sept 30th Printout): http://www.90degrees.co.nz/Sept30thPrintout.doc

ZHAOUI No Right Turn: Ahmed Zaoui Wins Again: Ahmed Zaoui has won another battle in the Court of Appeal , making it two-and-a-half out of three. But reading the full judgement, this may very well be the most important one of all. http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0410/S00045.htm

HUMAN RIGHTS AND NZ CITIZENSHIP Foundation Raises Major Concerns Over Draconian Citizenship Bill: We have concerns with respect to powers conferred on the Minister, the Police, and specific agencies, and the use of classified information (paras 23-31 and 31-33). Legislative drafting should ensure that a particular provision is tailored to its purpose and is not overly broad. See… Human Rights F Submission Citizenship Bill [1] ALSO: Human Rights Foundation - Human Rights Violation Likely If Bill Becomes Law [2] - Caritas - Citizenship Bill Will Create Greater Child Poverty [3] [1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0410/S00073.htm [2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0410/S00071.htm [3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0410/S00072.htm

PILGER Island of lost souls: One of the favourite allegations of John Pilger's enemies is predictability. But, while his targets have been consistent over 40 years (American colonialism, British apathy, western hypocrisy), his latest documentary shows his reluctance to hunt with the pack. With the invasion of Iraq making anti-colonialism and anti-Americanism mainstream opinion, he's responded with a much more oblique and searing critique of US and UK foreign policy. http://www.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,5673,1319219,00.html John Pilger: Paradise cleansed: Our deportation of the people of Diego Garcia is a crime that cannot stand http://207.44.245.159/article7007.htm

INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT A Milestone in the Global Struggle against Injustice and War by Walden Bello http://www.spectrezine.org/global/Bello.htm

AVIAN FLU The Monster at the Door, by Mike Davis As in a classic 1950s sci-fi thriller, our world is imperilled by a terrifying monster. Scientists try to sound the alarm, but politicians ignore the threat until its too late. Indifference ultimately turns into panic. The monster, of course, is H5N1, the lethal avian flu that first emerged in 1997 in Hong Kong and is now entrenched - in an even more lethal strain - in a half dozen Southeast Asian countries. It has recently killed scores of farmers and poultry workers who have had direct contact with sick birds. http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0930-16.htm

UNITED KINGDOM Loach pitches in for low-paid cleaners: Film-maker lends support to campaign for improving lot of back-up workers at Canary Wharf, but injunction scotches protest march http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1323343,00.html

IRAQ >From Baghdad: A Wall Street Journal Reporter's E-Mail to Friends. The genie of terrorism, chaos and mayhem has been unleashed onto this country as a result of American mistakes and it can't be put back into a bottle. A must read http://207.44.245.159/article6999.htm Naomi Klein - The making of a hero: Moqtada al-Sadr is a dangerous theocrat - but his appeal for Iraqis is that he calls for free elections http://www.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,5673,1321586,00.html Iraqi opposition groups http://www.fas.org/irp/news/2004/09/az091904.html Dear Mike, Iraq sucks: Michael Moore received a flood of letters and emails from disillusioned and angry American soldiers serving in Iraq. Here, in an exclusive extract from his new book, we print a selection http://207.44.245.159/article7017.htm

PALESTINE Why not two peoples, one state?: Many Palestinians are now convinced that Israeli support for a Palestinian state is motivated not by a hope for reconciliation, but by a desire to segregate non-Jews while taking as much of their land and resources as possible. http://www.iht.com/bin/print.php?file=541896.html Heroism in the Holy Land: Chris Brown beaten for walking children to school http://www.sfbayview.com/100604/heroism100604.shtml Two girls, two shots to the head http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1320735,00.html Israelis occupy state of denial over Zionism's great moral crisis http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/printpage/0,5942,11035852,00.html

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