Latest news with #SamSachdeva
Scoop
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Balancing Risk With Overreach In Our Terror Laws
The government wants to tighten our terror laws, but critics fear it will mean a corresponding trampling of advocacy groups and free speech. The government is eyeing an overhaul of the country's terrorism legislation, which is necessary, it says, to keep New Zealanders safe in a rapidly evolving world and keep pace with modern threats. However, critics are warning that the move could come at a steep price, specifically a loss of civil liberties. The proposed changes, still in the closed-door consultation phase with a handpicked selection of groups and experts, would give police and intelligence agencies broader powers to intervene earlier, redefine what constitutes a "terrorist act" and expand preventative detention powers, all in the name of public safety. Today, The Detail spoke with Newsroom national affairs editor Sam Sachdeva and University of Waikato terrorism and firearms expert Alexander Gillespie about the potential changes to the Terrorism Suppression Act and how the government will balance risk without resorting to overreach. "What this is really about is are our current terror laws fit for purpose, and where do we draw the line between dealing with the very real threat that is posed by terrorist groups and terrorists, while still preserving the fundamental political freedoms and rights and liberties that all New Zealanders hold dear," Sachdeva told The Detail. He said critics, worried that those freedoms and rights are now at risk, are fired up. "Look, they are. We have seen the Council for Civil Liberties, [and] the Free Speech Union has now come out as well, expressing some concern about this. "So, it's early stages, but it seems like it's something that could quite easily animate or light a fire under a lot of these rights groups who are concerned." The terror law, enacted in 2002 following the 11 September terror attacks, allows governments to formally designate people or groups as terrorist entities, freezing their assets and making it illegal to financially support, recruit for, or participate in a designated terrorist entity. Minor changes were made after the 15 March terror attack in 2019 and the New Lynn Countdown Supermarket attack in 2021. Sachdeva said among the new potential changes are making membership of a terrorist entity a criminal offence, creating new offences to capture public expressions of support for a terrorist act or designated entities - including showing insignia - and modernising definitions for terms like "material support" to capture new online forms of support. Extending the renewal period for terrorist designations to five years, from three at present, is also being considered. The government said there will be safeguards and judicial oversight. The proposed changes are expected to go before Parliament later this year. Gillespie, speaking to The Detail from Vienna, where he is working on gun reforms, said the threat of a terror attack has long lingered in New Zealand, and while the likelihood of another attack will never be zero, the risk can be lowered. "Part of reducing that risk is making sure the law is as good as it can be. That the balance between civil liberties and risk is correct. And that we have proportionate penalties for those who are willing to advocate the use of violence against civilians to change policy. "I support looking at it... I think it's foreseeable that the tensions in our society are going to be around for the foreseeable future. And to make sure they are fit for purpose, because when I look back at recent times, our laws weren't fit for purpose, and now we need to be thinking, 'what more can we do?'." While the debate on security versus liberty and protection versus principle will undoubtedly continue, one thing is certain -in the fight against terror, New Zealand is searching for a line, but it will not be easy to draw. here.
Newsroom
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsroom
Where to draw the line on terror
The Government is eyeing an overhaul of the country's terrorism legislation, which is necessary, it says, to keep New Zealanders safe in a rapidly evolving world and keep pace with modern threats. However, critics are warning the move could come at a steep price, specifically a loss of civil liberties. The proposed changes, still in the closed-door consultation phase with a handpicked selection of groups and experts, would give police and intelligence agencies broader powers to intervene earlier, redefine what constitutes a 'terrorist act' and expand preventative detention powers, all in the name of public safety. Today, The Detail speaks with Newsroom national affairs editor Sam Sachdeva and University of Waikato terrorism and firearms expert Alexander Gillespie about the potential changes to the Terrorism Suppression Act and how the Government will balance risk without resorting to overreach. 'What this is really about is are our current terror laws fit for purpose, and where do we draw the line between dealing with the very real threat that is posed by terrorist groups and terrorists, while still preserving the fundamental political freedoms and rights and liberties that all New Zealanders hold dear,' Sachdeva tells The Detail. He says critics, worried that those freedoms and rights are now at risk, are fired up. 'Look, they are. We have seen the Council for Civil Liberties, [and] the Free Speech Union has now come out as well, expressing some concern about this. 'So, it's early stages, but it seems like it's something that could quite easily animate or light a fire under a lot of these rights groups who are concerned.' The terror law, enacted in 2002 following the September 11 terror attacks, allows governments to formally designate people or groups as terrorist entities, freezing their assets and making it illegal to financially support, recruit for, or participate in a designated terrorist entity. Minor changes were made after the March 15 terror attack in 2019 and the New Lynn Countdown Supermarket attack in 2021. Sachdeva says among the new potential changes are making membership of a terrorist entity a criminal offence, creating new offences to capture public expressions of support for a terrorist act or designated entities – including showing insignia – and modernising definitions for terms like 'material support' to capture new online forms of support. Extending the renewal period for terrorist designations to five years, from three at present, is also being considered. The Government says there will be safeguards and judicial oversight. The proposed changes are expected to go before Parliament later this year. Professor of International Law Al Gillespie, speaking to The Detail from Vienna, where he is working on gun reforms, says the threat of a terror attack has long lingered in New Zealand, and while the likelihood of another attack will never be zero, the risk can be lowered. 'Part of reducing that risk is making sure the law is as good as it can be. That the balance between civil liberties and risk is correct. And that we have proportionate penalties for those who are willing to advocate the use of violence against civilians to change policy. 'I support looking at it … I think it's foreseeable that the tensions in our society are going to be around for the foreseeable future. And to make sure they are fit for purpose, because when I look back at recent times, our laws weren't fit for purpose, and now we need to be thinking, 'What more can we do?'' While the debate on security versus liberty and protection versus principle will undoubtedly continue, one thing is certain – in the fight against terror, New Zealand is searching for a line, but it will not be easy to draw. Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here. You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Balancing risk with overreach in our terror laws
Photo: Sanka Vidanagama / NurPhoto via AFP The government wants to tighten our terror laws, but critics fear it will mean a corresponding trampling of advocacy groups and free speech. The government is eyeing an overhaul of the country's terrorism legislation, which is necessary, it says, to keep New Zealanders safe in a rapidly evolving world and keep pace with modern threats. However, critics are warning that the move could come at a steep price, specifically a loss of civil liberties. The proposed changes, still in the closed-door consultation phase with a handpicked selection of groups and experts, would give police and intelligence agencies broader powers to intervene earlier, redefine what constitutes a "terrorist act" and expand preventative detention powers, all in the name of public safety. Today, The Detail spoke with Newsroom national affairs editor Sam Sachdeva and University of Waikato terrorism and firearms expert Alexander Gillespie about the potential changes to the Terrorism Suppression Act and how the government will balance risk without resorting to overreach. "What this is really about is are our current terror laws fit for purpose, and where do we draw the line between dealing with the very real threat that is posed by terrorist groups and terrorists, while still preserving the fundamental political freedoms and rights and liberties that all New Zealanders hold dear," Sachdeva told The Detail . He said critics, worried that those freedoms and rights are now at risk, are fired up. "Look, they are. We have seen the Council for Civil Liberties, [and] the Free Speech Union has now come out as well, expressing some concern about this. "So, it's early stages, but it seems like it's something that could quite easily animate or light a fire under a lot of these rights groups who are concerned." The terror law, enacted in 2002 following the 11 September terror attacks, allows governments to formally designate people or groups as terrorist entities, freezing their assets and making it illegal to financially support, recruit for, or participate in a designated terrorist entity. Minor changes were made after the 15 March terror attack in 2019 and the New Lynn Countdown Supermarket attack in 2021. Sachdeva said among the new potential changes are making membership of a terrorist entity a criminal offence, creating new offences to capture public expressions of support for a terrorist act or designated entities - including showing insignia - and modernising definitions for terms like "material support" to capture new online forms of support. Extending the renewal period for terrorist designations to five years, from three at present, is also being considered. The government said there will be safeguards and judicial oversight. The proposed changes are expected to go before Parliament later this year. Gillespie, speaking to The Detail from Vienna, where he is working on gun reforms, said the threat of a terror attack has long lingered in New Zealand, and while the likelihood of another attack will never be zero, the risk can be lowered. "Part of reducing that risk is making sure the law is as good as it can be. That the balance between civil liberties and risk is correct. And that we have proportionate penalties for those who are willing to advocate the use of violence against civilians to change policy. "I support looking at it... I think it's foreseeable that the tensions in our society are going to be around for the foreseeable future. And to make sure they are fit for purpose, because when I look back at recent times, our laws weren't fit for purpose, and now we need to be thinking, 'what more can we do?'." While the debate on security versus liberty and protection versus principle will undoubtedly continue, one thing is certain -in the fight against terror, New Zealand is searching for a line, but it will not be easy to draw. Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here . You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Newsroom
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Newsroom
Detentions and arrests at US borders sow fear
America is witnessing an escalating fallout for migrants on local streets and in their homes – and visitors at the borders. And the tougher approach could put Kiwis travelling to the United States at risk of arrest or detention. 'I wouldn't bet against it,' Newsroom national affairs editor Sam Sachdeva tells The Detail. 'I hope it doesn't come to that; you would hope the connection between New Zealand and the US would guard against that, but I would have thought the same about Australia and the US, and yet we have heard of a number of Australians who have found themselves in this situation. 'So, while I hope not, I certainly wouldn't rule it out, unfortunately. And that speaks to the really worrying situation we are in at the moment, in regard to the US.' Donald Trump's return to the White House has seen an already tough border control toughen up, resulting in a growing number of tourists and backpackers being detained and strip-searched at American airports, then deported, even those armed with return tickets and visas. Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, along with several European countries, have now updated their travel advisories for the US to reflect the added risk at the border. New Zealand's Government says it has started a review of official travel advice, but the status remains at 'exercise increased caution', which dates back to last November, before Trump took office again. Sachdeva believes it is time for New Zealand to join other countries and update the travel advisory. 'You could argue, one way or another, about what extent we should be criticising the US approach … but certainly in terms of travel advice, I think there is no harm in looking at the rules that are there and being a little bit more firm. 'You can point to the very public cases that have been reported on and say 'These are the consequences, this is what could happen – please double-, triple-check everything, all your travel documents. 'And be aware that if you are a transgender New Zealander or if you are someone with a history of activism, this could be an issue. It doesn't necessarily mean it will be a problem, or you will be detained … but equally, you shouldn't discount it, and I think you should have alternative plans or safeguards in place if the worst is to happen.' The Trump crackdown has been most severe for migrants living in America, with a fast-growing number of those without – and with – proper documentation being picked up on the streets or from their homes and being detained, some for weeks or months. Many have been deported. US immigration lawyer Hannah Brown represents detained immigrants, and says America is no longer the country she knows. 'This does not feel like my America right now, I can confidently say this is not my America,' she says from her attorney practice in Minneapolis. 'I talk to at least a couple of people a week who were taken into [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] custody at the bus stop, waiting for their kids to be dropped off or picked up from school. 'These are not people who are violent criminals – these are not people who are criminals at all, they are people who came to the US to work or to seek a better life or for fear of something happening in their home country. 'A lot of them are being picked up while they are around their children, which I think is devastating for everyone involved.' She says the condition of detention centres is 'really rough'. 'They are not good, people are not getting access to the medications they need, they can't get access to their attorneys. Attorneys have had to sue the federal government just to get access to their clients to prepare for their hearings. It's bleak. 'They are treated like criminals, despite this being a civil detention.' She says the feeling on the ground in America, right now, is 'tense'. 'You can feel it in the air. There are fewer people on the streets. You can feel that … shoulders are up, people are tighter, people are less willing to talk or have conversations. Nobody trusts anybody else right now, it's really difficult. 'People without the right documentation and even those who have it are being targeted right now … they are afraid to leave their homes; they are afraid to go to work. 'So, the Trump administration has created this class of people who are constantly living in fear, whether they are here lawfully or not'. Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here. You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter.
