2007-10-18 | In an urgent appeal, the International Indian Treaty Council has asked agencies of the United Nations to intervene on behalf of Maoris in New Zealand who are being subjected to arrests, detentions and police raids. IITC's letter follows:

INTERNATIONAL INDIAN TREATY COUNCIL
2390 Mission St., Suite 301
San Francisco, CA. 94110
Telephone (1) (415) 641-4482
Fax (1) (415) 641-1298
email: alberto (at) ttreatycouncil.org; iitc (at) treatycouncil.org

October 17, 2007
Special Representative for the Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders, Ms. Hina Jilani:
Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Expression, Mr. Ambeyi Ligabo:
Working Group on Arbitrary Detentions:
and,
Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous Peoples, Mr. Rodolfo Stavenhagen
Via fax: +[41-22] 917-9006
Via email: urgent-action (at) ohchr.org

URGENT APPEAL: Raids and arrests against Maori by the New Zealand government

Please receive our respectful greetings.

The International Indian Treaty Council, an Indigenous NGO with Consultative Status before ECOSOC, has received many emails from Maori friends and associates in New Zealand concerning massive raids in Maori Communities against Maori activists, by the Government of New Zealand acting under recently adopted so-called “Terrorism Suppression” legislation:
On Monday, October 15, the government of New Zealand began a series of home invasions, raids and interrogation under threats of terrorist activities against the state. The Crown has decided to employ its recent Terrorism Suppression Act to lockdown on social justice activist, Houses continue to be being invaded, possessions confiscated and charges being threatened which will allow for Maori activists to be charged under the Terrorist Suppression Act that carries sentencing for life.

The ages of people currently under custody range from 18 – 64. Many being arrested and held are young people trying to do good things for Maori communities. These events are allegedly the largest scale operation headed by special operations from the Head of States Office. There appears yet no explanation for the timing of these invasions. The indigenous movement for self - determination is what is being blamed by the media for instigating acts of terrorism.
PLEASE CONTINUE READING.
censored-news.blogspot.com/2007/10/international-indian-treaty-council.html

Please also see:

Brenda Norrell:
Global oppression intense as Indigenous Peoples rise up and organize
www.unobserver.com/index.php

International Indian Treaty Council www.treatycouncil.org

Indigenous Peoples Caucus www.ipcaucus.net

The International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs – IWGIA
www.iwgia.org

Draft United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples
www.unhchr.ch/huridocda/huridoca.nsf/(Symbol)/E.CN.4.SUB.2.RES.1994.45.En

www.unobserver.com/