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

31 October 2007
Media Release:
Helen Clark - arrogant abuse of the rights of accused

Prime Minister Helen Clark is guilty of arrogant abuse of the rights of those arrested a fortnight ago in para-military police raids.

On Monday Helen Clark said those arrested were -

"...people who at the very least have illicitly used firearms, constructed Molotov cocktails and trained themselves how to use napalm ..."

Yesterday Clark compounded this abuse of New Zealanders rights by saying. "I wouldn't have said it if I'd thought it was inappropriate".

We are used to statements such as these from brutal dictators across the globe where the verdict has been decided before what passes for a trial is held. We shouldn't expect it in New Zealand.

Clark has already decided these people are guilty as charged by the police and has used her Prime Ministerial position to direct the thinking of the public to the same end.

In polite language this is "prejudicial to these people getting a fair trial". More accurately it is an arrogant cavalier abuse of these kiwi's rights under New Zealand law.

This is the same person who wants the right to be judge and jury in deciding who will be designated a terrorist or terrorist organisation under the Terrorism Suppression Amendment Bill 2007 currently before parliament. She has shown herself to be irresponsible and unfit to hold and exercise this power. Instead, the current recourse to the courts for those designated as terrorists and terrorist organisations must be retained.

ENDS

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