We’ve always been proud of our clean human rights record and our ability to stand up for the little guy in any fight. But here’s something that, in the words of ACT MP Rodney Hide, “does away with the fundamental rights of every New Zealander.”

Protests against anti-terror law amendment
Today, hundreds of protesters will descend on Parliament to voice their opposition to anti-terrorism legislation passed yesterday. The hikoi has made its way from Ruatoki, in the Bay of Plenty, the site of police raids on so-called ‘terror suspects’ (those arrested have since faced firearms charges, but all terror charges have since been dropped). While keeping the issue of civil liberty alive, the protesters are too late to halt the passing of the Suppression of Terrorism Act amendment. The legislation passed its third reading yesterday, 108 votes to 13, with the backing of Labour and National. The Greens, ACT and the Maori Party all opposed the legislation.

Does the new terrorism legislation mean gun-toting law enforcers and reduced rights for Kiwis?
Hardly. In a nutshell, the Terrorism Suppression Amendment Bill:

• Extends the power of the United Nations to designate terrorist entities (this applies both internationally and within New Zealand)
• Makes committing a ‘terrorist act’ an offence under New Zealand law, punishable by life imprisonment
• Removes the ability to defend a charge with the claim that a terrorist entity was funded out of a concern for human rights and democracy

So, are we under threat? And how do new terror laws fit in to the international War on Terror?
The New Zealand Government and Police have been widely criticised for their part in the arrest and interrogation of suspects in Ruatoki, although political comment has claimed that the two issues are separate. Prime Minister Helen Clark said the Bill had to go through for New Zealand “to comply with UN conventions where we have that international obligation.”

Green MP, Keith Locke, said it was false to claim the law was required to bring New Zealand into line with international counterparts. And Solicitor-General David Collins has also failed to support the new law, rejecting the terrorism charges leveled against Ruatoki suspects.

So…
It seems the international War on Terror has been caught up in local racial politicking? The Suppression of Terrorism Act was designed to protect our country (unlikely target that we may be) from international terrorist organisations, such as Al Qaeda, but was used as a somewhat ineffective weapon against local terrrorist wannabes. Incidentally, leaked evidence from the Police case against Ruatoki suspects makes for scary reading.

Stay tuned - this surely won’t be the last we’ll hear on this political issue…