National Distribution Union

Thursday, 8th 2007, 4:50pm

Union says the damage must now be accounted for following S-G decision not to press terrorism charges

NDU National Secretary, Laila Harre, says that the Solicitor General's decision not to lay charges under the Terrorism Suppression Act "is a huge relief but does not end the controversy over the Act's use to put activists and their, families, whanau and associates under surveillance and conduct commando-style searches of their homes and communities."

"Questions must now be directed at the Police and the Government. Police Commissioner Howard Broad sought to justify the raids as a response to an 'imminent threat'.

The evidence has clearly fallen well short of that - with not even a prima facie case made to justify prosecution. While it is a great relief that no charges have been laid, immense harm has already done to those implicated or subjected to surveillance and search."

"There are almost certainly many others who don't even know that their movements and communications have been monitored as part of this investigation."

Laila Harre says that "the use of the Act and the Act itself should be urgently and independently reviewed from a human rights perspective. A reconciliation process with those affected must be undertaken and New Zealand authorities must do everything in their power to restore the reputations of those implicated, both here and especially internationally."

ENDS

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