NZ terrorism plans could undermine human rights

Amnesty International NZ are warning that the counter-terrorism legislation in preparation for a possible return of Kiwi jihadist Mark Taylor could undermine human rights.

After US troops were pulled from northern Syria and Turkish forces advanced, the likelihood of foreign ISIS fighters returning back to their countries heightened, with the New Zealand government announcing a bill to ‘prevent terrorism and de-radicalise New Zealanders coming back from overseas’.

The law could give police special powers to put forward evidence to the High Court to constrain potential terrorists for two years.

Annaliese Johnston of Amnesty International Aotearoa said the legislation could have ‘ramifications for people seeking refuge or asylum here’, warning that people can see the word terrorism applied ‘broadly by oppressive regimes to detain innocent people who're simply rallying for a better life’. This could lead to ‘injustice for people actually seeking protection from persecution’.

She said: “Whilst the local definition of terrorism is much narrower here in New Zealand, we have concerns that the new law could still harm people falsely characterised by oppressive regimes overseas, if that information is influencing a New Zealand judge's decision."

Amnesty International said that ‘if New Zealand wants to actually live up to its human rights obligations then the government should tread very carefully’.