Public Meeting:
6:30pm Friday 20th May 2011
B15 Lecture Theatre (Library Basement)
University of Auckland
On May 30th a 12 week long trial for 15 of those arrested in the so called ‘terror raids’ of 15 October 2007 will begin in the Auckland High Court.
On October 15 2007 armed police raided homes across New Zealand, claiming that a range of Maori, environmental and anti-war activists were planning terrorist attacks. Eighteen people were arrested – most of whom were held in prison for four weeks while the Police applied to charge them under the Terrorism Suppression Act. The Solicitor General refused to allow the Police to proceed with the terrorism charges.
All of the 15 are facing charges of possession of weapons under the Arms Act. Five are charged with ‘participation in an organised criminal group’.
A number of prominent New Zealanders, including academics, legal experts and Maori leaders have written to the Solicitor General calling for the charges to be dropped, as the trial will be unfair as the defendants have been denied many crucial civil rights, including the right to a jury trial.
This panel discussion will discuss the ramifications of the case for civil rights in New Zealand and why the charges should be dropped.
Speakers:
David Clendon: Green MP
John Minto: Spokesman for Global Peace and Justice Auckland
Tame Iti: Drug and Alcohol counsellor for Tūhoe Hauora Trust and defendant in the case.
Syd Keepa: Vice President Maori for New Zealand Council of Trade Unions
Khylee Quince: University of Auckland Law Lecturer
Barry Wilson: Auckland Council for Civil Liberties
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