Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Helen Clark - abuse of the rights of accused

GLOBALPEACE&JUSTICE AUCKLAND
Private Bag 68905, Newton,Auckland. www.gpja.org.nz

31 October 2007
Media Release:
Helen Clark - arrogant abuse of the rights of accused

Prime Minister Helen Clark is guilty of arrogant abuse of the rights of those arrested a fortnight ago in para-military police raids.

On Monday Helen Clark said those arrested were -

"...people who at the very least have illicitly used firearms, constructed Molotov cocktails and trained themselves how to use napalm ..."

Yesterday Clark compounded this abuse of New Zealanders rights by saying. "I wouldn't have said it if I'd thought it was inappropriate".

We are used to statements such as these from brutal dictators across the globe where the verdict has been decided before what passes for a trial is held. We shouldn't expect it in New Zealand.

Clark has already decided these people are guilty as charged by the police and has used her Prime Ministerial position to direct the thinking of the public to the same end.

In polite language this is "prejudicial to these people getting a fair trial". More accurately it is an arrogant cavalier abuse of these kiwi's rights under New Zealand law.

This is the same person who wants the right to be judge and jury in deciding who will be designated a terrorist or terrorist organisation under the Terrorism Suppression Amendment Bill 2007 currently before parliament. She has shown herself to be irresponsible and unfit to hold and exercise this power. Instead, the current recourse to the courts for those designated as terrorists and terrorist organisations must be retained.

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.