October 19, 2007

High Commission of New Zealand (Aotearoa)
99 Bank Street, Suite 727
Ottawa, ON
K1P 6G3

BY FAX AND MAIL (Fax #: (613) 238-5707)

On behalf of the 55,000 members of the Canadian Union of Postal workers I am writing to condemn the criminalization and attempted silencing of activists in Aotearoa.

We are fully aware of the recent wave of repression. In keeping with the tradition of repressive regimes, this has included manufactured pretexts for home invasions, raids, confiscation of possessions and interrogations alleging terrorist activities against the state. It is obvious that your government has chosen a transparently artificial justification to repress the social justice movement.

Your attempt to charge activists under the Terrorist Suppression Act, which carries with it sentencing for life, is an affront to justice and reveals the deep insecurities and dishonesty of your colonial government. Many of those being implicated in this investigation are young people trying to do good things for their communities. Currently, many are being held unjustly in jail and being denied bail. Communities, families and children are reportedly traumatized by these events.

We have difficulty understanding the timing for these invasions directed against personal liberty and rights. It is an insult to the indigenous movement for self - determination and their allies to be blamed for instigating terrorism. The Maori have a historical, cultural, moral, and social right to self determination. If anything, it is the successive colonialist governments that should be indicted for “terrorism”.

We call on you to stop violating human rights in Aotearoa immediately. Release all prisoners immediately and hold accountable those officials that have abused your system of justice to commit these obviously trumped up crimes that make a mockery of justice.

Sincerely,

Deborah Bourque,
National President, CUPW

cc: Hone Harawira, Maori Party M.P. (hone.harawira@parliament.govt.nz)
Keith Locke, Green Party M.P. (Keith.Locke@parliament.govt.nz)
Annette King, Minister of Police (aking@ministers.govt.nz)
NEC, NURs, Specialists

/eh
/rgcope225

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