Amnesty Public meeting on Zaoui: Wellington Tonight.

Ahmed Zaoui: Denial Of Due Process In The “War Against Terror

“creating and sustaining a world-leading human rights environment”?

Amnesty public meetings on the Ahmed Zaoui case have been held in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin. Tonight, it is Wellington 6pm, St Johns in the City, Cnr Willis and Dixon Streets.

Amnesty International is organising meetings in the four main centres next week to provide the New Zealand public with the opportunity to examine the treatment of Algerian refugee Ahmed Zaoui in the light of a warning by the UN Committee against Torture that New Zealand was in danger of breaching its international human rights obligations.

Last week’s report from the UN Committee against Torture, which called on the government to immediately review the ‘security risk certificate’ process under which Ahmed Zaoui is held, is an illustration of the growing international scrutiny of New Zealand’s treatment of the Algerian refugee.

Denial of due process in Ahmed Zaoui’s case not only has implications for the life and security of Mr Zaoui and his family, but also defines what type of stand New Zealand will take in the “war against terrorism.”

What is the right balance between the right to “national security” and the human rights of the individual? Who decides and how?

The public meetings will provide an opportunity for concerned New Zealanders to discuss these critical issues, and put questions to Ced Simpson (AINZ Executive Director) and Deborah Manning (Ahmed Zaoui’s legal counsel). Mr. Simpson and Mrs. Manning will be available for media interviews throughout the week.

Meeting details

Wellington
Venue: St Johns in the City, Cnr Willis and Dixon Streets
Time: Thursday 3 June, 6:00pm
Contact to arrange media interviews: Daniel Furner, daniel.furner@amnesty.org.nz, 021 253 8153

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