Justice for Ahmed Zaoui Now

Press release: Peace Action Wellington

19 February, 2004



Concerned citizens in Wellington are invited to a picket starting at the

New Zealand Immigration Service (56 The Terrace) and moving to the

Security Intelligence Service (Ministry of Defence, Stout Street) today at

12 noon. The action, organised by Peace Action Wellington, is an

opportunity for people to express their outrage at the handling of the

case of Algerian refugee Ahmed Zaoui who has now been in prison for over a

year without any charge.



'The New Zealand Government is appealing a ruling that Mr. Zaoui's human

rights be taken into account by the Inspector General of the SIS. This is

appalling. There is no government agency which should be exempt from

respecting human rights.' said Peace Action Wellington member Valerie

Morse.



'This is a very frightening prospect. Under the Terrorism Supression Act,

the Government decides who is a terrrorist, it then judges that person,

denies him the right to know what the accusations against him are and then

denies him his basic human rights.'



'The so-called 'War on Terrorism' is really about destroying civil

liberties and prosecuting people who are different, not about protecting

New Zealand from threats. It is really a war on people.'



Peace Action Wellington demands 1. that Ahmed Zaoui be moved from prison

2. an end to all New Zealnd support for the so-called 'War on Terrorism'

3. a review of the NZ Security Intelligence Service



ENDS



For more information please contact Valerie Morse 383-9315





ENDS

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