[asia-apec 978] NZ APEC and Spy Law Changes

[Gatt Watchdog]

MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE USE
16 December 1998

SIS LAWS TO BE CHANGEDTO PROTECT ASIAN DICTATORS

The introduction of legislation into the House today, that will give the
SIS the legitimate right to break-in and enter the homes of NZ citizens is
part of the state's preparations for the hosting of APEC here in 1999.

"New Zealanders should be outraged that our democratic rights to lawful
dissent are being curbed so that some of the world's leaders due to attend
the APEC meeting in Auckland next September will not be inconvenienced or
embarrassed by public demonstrations, " says Corso National Co-ordinator
Suzanne Menzies-Culling.  "There are many informed people in this region
who are against free trade, and there is still grave concern in this
country about the abuse of human rights, that takes place in this part of
the world."

"Many of the leaders coming to the APEC Summit next year have lamentable
Human Rights record  at home, and it is ironic that New Zealanders rights
are being brought into line with theirs."

Last year in Vancouver, crowd of students and community people were pepper
sprayed, and anti-free trade activists were violently arrested and
unlawfully detained during the APEC Conference.  The Canadian government
pulled out all the stops to ensure there was no debate or dissent about the
free trade agenda that is causing such  inequality and misery to the
world's people.

"I have no doubt that the NZ Government is seeking to ensure that the APEC
leaders summit goes smoothly and that the SIS will be part of the machinery
of the state that will be used to implement this, " said Ms Menzies-Culling.

"In Canada several Indonesian agents were arrested, three of them at
gunpoint during the conference, and the Canadians were outraged at what
they saw on television.  The scandal still haunts the Jean Chretien
Government and has led to the resignation of two cabinet ministers.  New
Zealanders need to be informed and wary of any proposed changes to the law
that will limit our democratic rights to protest and dissent," Ms
Menzies-Culling concluded.

Contact: Suzanne Menzies-Culling. Ph (03) 477 3395 daytime