Posted on 17-6-2004
Forum
on Civil Liberties in the ‘War on Terrorism’
Green MP Keith Locke will be speaking next week at the first
in a series of Green Forums on current issues. This first event
centres on challenges to civil liberties in the war on terrorism.
“Since September 11th civil liberties have been under
threat around the world,” said Mr Locke, the Green Party’s
Human Rights and Foreign Affairs Spokesperson.
“The treatment of prisoners at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo
Bay are the international headline issues, but in New Zealand
we have an acknowledged refugee, Ahmed Zaoui, beginning his
nineteenth month behind bars.
“Not only asylum seekers are being affected. Under proposed
legislation passports could be taken away on ‘national
security’ grounds. Proposed laws allowing interception
of communications and requiring biometric details on passports
will undermine New Zealanders privacy and liberty. New ‘anti-terrorist’
laws could be used against dissenters,” said Mr Locke.
The speakers at the forum will discuss where this ‘war
on terror’ is leading. Mr Locke will highlight how legislative
changes have given police and intelligence agencies even greater
powers.
What: Green Forum: Challenges to Civil Liberties in the ‘War
on Terrorism’.
When: 7:00pm, Monday 21st June.
Where: 308 Great North Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland.
Speakers: Keith Locke MP, Green Human Rights Spokesperson;
Rodney Harrison QC, lead barrister in Zaoui and Tongan media
cases; Tim McBride, editor of the NZ Civil Rights handbook,
chair of Auckland Council for Civil Liberties.
ALL WELCOME.
Event contact, 09 361-5925 or auckland-mps@greens.org.nz
Mark Servian, Media Officer, 04 470 6723
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