[IPSM] MONDAY! Protest New Zealand's bid for UN Human Rights Council

[nora butler burke]

-------- Original Message --------

Hey everyone,

I know it's very short notice, but we are holding an impromptu
solidarity demonstration to support the Maori and social justice
activists who have had their homes raided and who have been imprisoned
last week under New Zealand's anti-terrorism laws. It's a flagrant
abuse of power that reminds us a lot of the ongoing repression of
dissent, especially of Indigenous peoples, here in Canada.

If you have a little time during lunch on Monday, please come out
at 1pm and lend your support.

Our friends in Aotearoa/New Zealand have indicated that it means a lot
to see that people elsewhere in the world support their struggle. We
will meet outside the UN CBD on St-Jacques street. Info is below.

Please pass the call on.

To learn more:
http://indymedia.org.nz
http://mostlywater.org/
a_highly_unsuitable_candidate_new_zealand_government_is_not_fit_to_sit_o
n_un_human_rights_council
http://mostlywater.org/this_kiwi_has_had_enough

thanks!
shannon

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Protest New Zealand's bid for UN Human Rights Council
IN SUPPORT OF IMPRISONED ACTIVISTS IN NEW ZEALAND

Montreal. Last week in Aotearoa /New Zealand, Maori sovereignty
campaigners, environmental, peace and social justice activists, were
targeted in military-style raids under the post 9/11 Terrorism
Suppression Act, and are being painted in the media as terrorists.
Police raided homes, confiscated possessions and imprisoned at least
seventeen mainly Maori activists in a military-style operation.
Amongst those arrested was prominent Maori activist and community
worker Tame Iti, who has been denied bail along with eleven others.

"We are not terrorists - we've been terrorised" read banners on a 1500
strong demonstration on Friday in the small town of Whakatane, in
solidarity with the arrestees.

Protests this week continue across Aotearoa/New Zealand. In the USA,
Australia, Germany, Greece, and South Africa, people are denouncing
New Zealand's targeting of Indigenous sovereignty campaigners ? and
making links between last week's raids, and an international trend of
labeling legitimate political dissent "terrorist".

On Monday, October 22, 2007 at 13h, we are protesting last week's
raids, and drawing attention to Canada and Aotearoa/New Zealand's
hypocracy with respect to the rights of Indigenous peoples.

Last month, New Zealand and Canada were among only 4 governments to
vote against the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
UNDRIP. The UN General Assembly adopted the UNDRIP with 143 member
states voting in favor, eleven abstaining, and Australia, Canada, New
Zealand and the US voting against the Declaration.

New Zealand is now waging a militarized campaign against Maori
sovereignty, environmental and social justice activists. Shamelessly,
New Zealand announced its candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council
for the period 2009-2012 this past Friday.

Maori advocacy for self-determination was portrayed a domestic
"terrorist" threat in Aotearoa long before 9/11 and long after
colonization of the nineteenth century.

We stand in solidarity with those in Aotearoa/New Zealand, like here
in Canada, who continue to be terrorized and persecuted by legislation
that criminalizes dissent, particularly those most affected ?
Indigenous Peoples and immigrants of colour.

New Zealand repression echos events  here in Canada
New Zealand police raids echo the treatment of Indigenous activists in
Canada. Similarly, so-called anti-terror laws are used to label
dissent ? especially the dissent of Indigenous peoples ? as criminal
and terrorist. Internationally, Canada and New Zealand have
consistently attempted to block the UN Declaration on the rights of
Indigenous Peoples.

This summer, Tyendinaga Mohawk activist Shawn Brant was arrested after
blockades of rail lines and highways on Tyendinaga land. A leader in
his community's struggle, he has been portrayed as a criminal and
terrorist. Like Tame Iti, Shawn was jailed in July 2007, and was
denied bail until the end of August.

Communities in the Mohawk territories of Kahnawake, Akwesasne, and
Kanehsatake are all too familiar with racist government repression and
attacks. In Kahnawake in 1990 and in Kanehsatake in 1994 the Canadian
government used the military to attack and repress Mohawk people. In
2006, we saw heavy police repression in Six Nations when Indigenous
activists reclaimed their land. This summer's police crackdown after
the June 29th days of action are proof that colonialism is alive and
well in Canada in the 21st century.

Repression hidden beneath laws to supposedly fight 'terror' has become
all too familiar.

Demands
We call on people to expose and oppose the New Zealand government's
repressive actions. We strongly oppose New Zealand's bid for a place
on the UN Human Rights Council for its clear suppression of the
legitimate right to dissent, and for the ongoing violent repression of
the Maori people. We demand in that New Zealand government release
those arrested and apologize to the Tuhoe.

WHEN: Monday, October 22, 13h
WHERE: Outside the UN Secretariat of the Convention on Biological
Diversity, 413, Saint Jacques Street, Montreal
CONTACT: Maori Solidarity Committee 514-839-4661, maorisolidarity at yahoo.ca

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