Close the secret court - free Zaoui
Green MP Keith Locke is calling on the Immigration Minister to withdraw the Security Risk Certificate on Algerian asylum
seeker Ahmed Zaoui.
"The hearings being conducted by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, Laurie Grieg, are a travesty of
justice," said Mr Locke, the Green Foreign Affairs spokesperson.
"It is completely unacceptable for Mr Grieg to refuse to tell Mr Zaoui what the charges are against him, and to say that
human rights considerations don't apply to his hearing.
"Secret hearings in which the accused has no chance to defend himself are the norm in China, Burma and Mugabe's
Zimbabwe. They cannot be tolerated in a democratic society.
"Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel must call a halt to these proceedings by withdrawing the Security Risk Certificate
from Mr Zaoui. Under law she can do this at any time.
"Mr Zaoui should be allowed to settle here, with his family, in line with the Refugee Status Appeals Authority
determination that he is a legitimate refugee.
"Mr Zaoui has suffered enough," said Mr Locke. "In the name of compassion and justice, Ms Dalziel should end his
nightmare."
ENDS