2 November 2004

Musicians Band Together for Ahmed Zaoui

Ahmed Zaoui may not be able to hear the music from his cell in Mt Eden Remand Prison, but that won't stop some of Auckland's best-known artists from performing a fundraising concert in his honour, at the Kings Arms, on Sunday 21 November.

Top NZ artists have lined up to play at the Free Ahmed Zaoui concert in Auckland on November 21 at the King’s Arms.

The line up includes Don McGlashan, Chris Knox, Dave Dobbyn, Nesian Mystik, The Brunettes and the L.C.Pop Orchestrette (featuring Edmund Cake and Scott Mannion), The Reduction Agents and One Million Dollars.

Doors open at 3:00 pm and the concert will continue until 10:00 pm. Tickets cost $15. All proceeds from the concert will go to assist Ahmed Zaoui's wife, Leila, and their four children, who are currently in hiding in South East Asia.

"To date Mr Zaoui has been held without trial for over 22 months, ten of them in solitary confinement. No charges have been laid, and it's becoming clear that there is no case to answer," says Don McGlashan. "From what I've read of the case, Ahmed Zaoui comes through as a moderate and a peacemaker, and all the "evidence" to the contrary can be traced back to the military rulers of Algeria, who see even peaceful opposition leaders as a threat."

"New Zealanders pride ourselves on our respect for justice and human rights, but the way we're treating Ahmed Zaoui does not reflect this, it is wrong" says Chris Knox. "Our own Refugee Status Appeals Authority says so, Amnesty International says so, the courts say so, and, increasingly, ordinary Kiwis are saying so."

"Mr. Zaoui's treatment here is shameful," says Dave Dobbyn: "Our government is unjust. Ahmed Zaoui should be released or given a fair trail. Our hearts go out to him and his family. Please come and support them."

ENDS

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