Article

2002-12-17 Terror Networks

Death sentence may prevent NZ deporting Zaoui

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Posted by Fred Pruitt 2002-12-17 03:27 pm|| || Front Page|| [4 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Hi, I am a journalist working for the Listener magazine in New Zealand. Does anybody have any hard evidence that Zaoui is implicated in terrorist activities?
I have a lot of evidence that he never has been and am looking for some counterpoint.
Feel free to email me direct.
Cheers, Alistair.

Posted by Alistair Bone 2003-7-22 11:25:16 PM|| 2003-7-22 11:25:16 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL MEDIA RELEASE

FOR ATTENTION OF: CHIEFS OF STAFF:
01/08/2003 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

REFUGEE ? NOT "SUSPECTED TERRORIST"

The New Zealand Section of Amnesty International today called for the
immediate release of Ahmed Zaoui, the Algerian detained since December last
year as a "suspected terrorist", following a finding by the Refugee Status
Appeals Authority that he is a genuine refugee.

As Mr Zaoui has been recognized by the Refugee Status Appeals Authority as
a political refugee this means that he has not been found guilty of
terrorism in their eyes.

"The terms of the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees would not
have applied if he had been considered to be guilty of 'war crimes', 'a
crime against humanity', 'a crime against peace', or had committed any
serious 'non-political crime' in Algeria or elsewhere", said Amnesty
International New Zealand Executive Director, Ced Simpson.

"There must be truly compelling evidence to warrant the continued
imprisonment of a refugee who was legitimately elected as a parliamentarian
in a landslide election for his party in 1991, who has been in enforced
exile for a decade since and against whom there has been no clearly
substantiated allegations of criminal behavior. These allegations may well
have originated with Algerian intelligence services that have been
implicated in massive human rights violations since 1992."

Mr Simpson said "New Zealand politicians should reflect carefully on the
fact that a well-respected politician elected in fair elections as part of
a landslide victory in Algeria in 1991 was now being held in maximum
security prison in New Zealand, following a lengthy period of enforced
exile."

It is officially acknowledged that at least 100,000 people ? mainly
civilians ? have died since the election was blocked by the military.

The Algerian authorities have claimed to "have neutralized" 20,000
"terrorists" during that time.

The Appeals Authority has reviewed Mr Zaoui's case extensively in coming to
the decision and the onus is now on the government to publicly justify his
continued detention in a maximum security prison.

enz

Margaret Taylor
Activism Support Manager
Amnesty International New Zealand

Service and Development Office
1st floor, 145 Nelson Street, Auckland
Box 5300, Wellesley Street, Auckland

Tel: +64-9 303 4519 fax: +64-9-303 4528 mobile 021 165 1834

I've signed in support of putting Human Rights on the front line in Iraq!
Have you? Visit www.amnesty.org.nz

"Activism is my rent for living on this planet."
Alice Walker

Posted by Anonymous 2003-8-3 8:53:02 AM|| 2003-8-3 8:53:02 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 NZ's Refugee Status Appeal Authority examined the case of Ahmed Zaoui for 5 weeks. Of all the appeals for refugee status they hear, they dismiss more than 80%. In the case of Ahmed Zaoui they found overwhelmingly in his favour. He is a moderate man of peace, and I hope NZ is the place he will find peace and refuge.

Internet rumour is no basis for justice, nor is unsubstantiated intellegence gossip.

See http://www.refugee.org.nz/stats.htm for statistics.

Posted by LXD 2003-10-1 5:37:44 AM|| 2003-10-1 5:37:44 AM|| Front Page Top

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