GLOBAL PEACE & JUSTICE AUCKLAND
Private Bag 68905, Newton,Auckland. www.gpja.org.nz

24 October 2007
Media Release:

Anti-Terror Bill Should Be Withdrawn Today

Parliament should sideline the Terrorism Suppression Amendment Bill which is due to be reported back to parliament today.

Given the hype and near hysteria created by police and SIS action last week around "terrorism" GPJA believes the government should set aside the current bill until it can be debated in a calmer, more reasoned atmosphere.

It is very unhealthy in a democracy for this parliamentary debate to take place in the highly charged atmosphere created by police action this week.

The changes proposed in the bill hit at the very heart of democratic freedom and the right to dissent.

Meanwhile the select committee has made no significant changes to the most odious aspects of the bill.

Major Change 1:

Under this legislation New Zealand would automatically adopt the UN list of terrorists and terrorist organisations. It is the US which dominates the compilation of these lists.

Effect: New Zealanders working to support liberation struggles, democracy and human rights overseas would now face the prospect of being charged with supporting terrorist organisations. Under the new proposal it would have been illegal to provide support for the African National Congress in the fight against apartheid or for campaigns to have Nelson Mandela released from jail. It could easily also be used against New Zealanders supporting Palestinian groups such as Hamas despite Hamas being democratically elected to power in the occupied territory of Palestine. (Previous legislation allowed support and assistance to organisations provided it was "for the purpose of advocating democratic government or the protection of human rights". This wording is to be removed)

Major Change 2:

New Zealand would give up its right to make its own independent assessments of terrorists and terrorist designations.

Effect:

Without the ability to make our own independent assessments we become captive to shonky, prejudiced, politically motivated overseas assessments such as those relating to Ahmed Zaoui. (Previously New Zealand adopted UN designations "in the absence of evidence to the contrary". This safeguard would be removed)

Major Change 3:

The courts are removed from considering designations of terrorist or terrorist organisations. (At the moment if the Prime Minister designates a terrorist organisation then this is reviewable by the High court after three years)

Effect: Independent scrutiny of cases will no longer be available. The PM will be judge and jury. The US wants this because governments are then more open to international pressure. At least with the courts there is the semblance of independent scrutiny.

This assumption of power by politicians over court processes is demonstrated most clearly by the US with its treatment of Guantanemo Bay detainees and the CIA's "rendition" programme whereby suspected terrorists have been clandestinely transferred around the world for torture. In both cases the courts have been sidelined. It would be a disgrace for New Zealand to follow.

Currently…

The government says the police, SIS and lawmakers are all working hand in hand to keep New Zealand safe. The truth is that our lawmakers are blindly putting in place savage attacks on civil rights while the police and SIS are eager to justify their new powers with many no doubt excited at the prospect of joining the so-called war on terror.

As it is New Zealand's anti-terror legislation is set up to demonise dissent and legitimate political protest while removing civil rights safeguards. Dissent provides the oxygen on which a democracy depends. We throttle it at our peril.

ENDS

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