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Human rights in New Zealand have been eroded in the name of counter-terrorism, says a new book published by the Law Foundation.
Spokeswoman Trish Green said Associate Professor Alex Conte's book, Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights in New Zealand, was written largely for lawyers and practitioners but would have far-reaching interest.
Professor Conte found that New Zealand mostly met its counter-terrorism obligations in a way which complied with international human rights law, but there were serious deficiencies which needed immediate attention such as the power of police access to computers and computer data.
He questioned the use of international counter-terrorist obligations as an excuse to extend state powers.
Professor Conte is a member of the advisory panel of experts to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism and a fellow to the International Policy Institute on Counter-Terrorism.
- NZPA
