Zaoui victim of mental torture, says Locke

11.45am

Green MP Keith Locke is accusing the Government of being responsible for the mental torture of Algerian asylum seeker Ahmed Zaoui and is demanding that he be immediately moved out of Paremoremo Prison.

Mr Locke says a trauma consultant and professor of psychology, Tony Taylor, has conducted a three-day examination of Mr Zaoui and concludes that he has been "mentally damaged" as a result of his solitary confinement.

"Not unexpectedly, 10 months in Paremoremo's D-Block has taken a severe toll on Mr Zaoui's mental health," said Mr Locke, the Green Party's Foreign Affairs spokesperson. "It would be cruel and unconscionable to keep him in solitary confinement there for any longer."

Mr Locke has been visiting Mr Zaoui in prison regularly. He last visited him on Friday morning.

"Mr Zaoui should have been freed after being granted refugee status by the Refugee Status Appeals Authority. But if he is to be forced to endure hearings on a Security Risk Certificate then it should be in the most humane environment possible.

"There is no reason why he couldn't be transferred to the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre, where most detained asylum seekers are held.

"Since I first visited Mr Zaoui in Paremoremo last December it has been a constant battle to improve his conditions."

Mr Locke says he is pressing the Corrections Minister, Paul Swain, to allow Mr Zaoui to receive visitors during the week. At present he is only allowed visitors on Sunday (although an MP can see him on any day).

Mr Locke says remand prisoners in Mt Eden prison are, by contrast, allowed visitors four days of the week.

"Mr Swain claims Mr Zaoui is in solitary for his own protection, but surely Mr Zaoui should have some say in this. Mr Zaoui would be much happier mixing with other prisoners," said Mr Locke.