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A Māori human rights campaigner has reminded those opposed to the GCSB Bill that there is a long history of states spying on indigenous peoples.
Marama Davidson gave last night’s packed Auckland Town Hall rally examples of the state using excessive powers against Māori, like the 1863 Suppression of Rebellion Act, the 1881 invasion of Parihaka, the 1907 Tohunga Suppression Act and the changes to terrorism laws in the wake of the 2007 Urewera raids.
She says it’s part of a global pattern.
"Indigenous peoples maintaining their own sovereignty over their own living systems and their own lands and waters have been further abused by the state including with surveillance powers simply because they are trying to maintain their own sovereignty and mana over protecting their environment, and that is our responsibility as kaitiaki," Ms Davidson says.
The bill widening the powers of the Government Communications Security Bureau is back before parliament today and could be passed by the end of the week with the votes of Act leader John Banks and United Future’s Peter Dunne.
Copyright © 2013, UMA Broadcasting Ltd
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