|
|
Article: Activists accused of terrorism: government to be investigated for human rights abuses.(NEW ZEALAND/AOTEAROA)
- Article from:
- New Internationalist
- Article date:
- April 1, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 New Internationalist Magazine. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
On 15 October 2007, armed police conducted dawn raids at 50 houses and places of work across New Zealand/Aotearoa. They arrested and imprisoned 16 activists involved in the Tino Rangatiratanga (Maori self-determination), anarchist, environmental and anti-war movements. All 16 received multiple firearms charges, with the police seeking permission from the Solicitor-General to lay charges under the as-yet-unused Terrorism Suppression Act.
Politicians--including Prime Minister Helen Clark, who authorized the raids--and the media subsequently smeared those arrested with unsubstantiated claims of involvement in terrorist training camps in Tuhoe. This North Island ...