Leaked MoJ Proposal Reveals Planned Secret Terrorism Law Overhaul

HENRY BROADBENT (HE/HIM)

A leaked Ministry of Justice document seen by the New Zealand Council for Civil Liberties (NZCL) reveals the Government is currently considering a secret proposal to overhaul the Terrorism Suppression Act, in a dangerously draconian development. The closed-door proposal includes the creation of new criminal offences encompassing expressions of support (distribution of information, display of symbols) and, notably, a focus on New Zealanders internet activity. Proposed changes could allow ministers to class online endorsement of/support for proscribed groups as “material support” for terrorist activity. 

The consultation document reportedly also includes provisions to lengthen the period of designation from three years to five, and to make it far easier for the Government to label a group with the designation. 

A statement from the NZCL has condemned the secret consultation, describing the closed doors process as “a disgrace”, and the proposed powers given to ministers as “dangerous” and open to misuse by the police.

Misuse of such laws overseas renders the threat posed by these proposals far from academic. Hundreds of people in the UK have been arrested in the past few weeks since the UK ban of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. 

As Israel ruthlessly bombs Gaza, shoots children, aid seekers, doctors and journalists, and starves entire families to death each day, retired teachers, reverends, priests, former magistrates and charity directors are among those facing criminal charges in the UK for opposing the ongoing genocide. Already, police and ministers there are using the ambiguity of these authoritarian practices to blur lines further. Last week, a protester in Kent was threatened with arrest by armed police and had her house raided for holding signs that simply read: “Free Gaza” and “Israel is committing genocide”. Meanwhile, UK ministers continue to flagrantly break international law in their support for the Israeli war machine. Oppose their actions and you may face jail time. We must not let this be the case in Aotearoa.