Friday 22 June 2007

Alliance attacks anti-terrorism bill as threat to democracy

The Alliance Party has expressed concern at the lack of coverage and public debate on proposed "anti-terrorist" legislation.

Alliance Party foreign affairs spokesperson Paul Piesse says the proposed Terrorism Suppression Amendment Bill seriously infringes New Zealanders’ democratic rights and New Zealand’s independence.

He says the Bill will force New Zealand to accept assertions about “terrorists” from foreign Government's who are proven liars.

"We will be taking the word of the Bush and Blair regimes who lied about the weapons of mass destruction."

Mr Piesse says another danger of the Bill is that it places total power with one individual, the Prime Minister of the day.

“We all know what use some politicians would make of such power."

He says that politicians are influenced by political and commercial considerations, not by matters of proven guilt or innocence.

“New Zealanders accused by the spy departments of foreign powers won’t even have the simple democratic right to be made aware of the details of an accusation."

Mr Piesse says New Zealand Courts will be bound by the secrecy demands of Government agencies in countries such as the USA, France, and the United Kingdom, all of whom have engaged in State terrorism themselves.

He says the lack of coverage or analysis by the media to this threat to freedom is a serious concern.

ENDS

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