New Zealand approves anti-terrorism laws to counter foreign fighters risk
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Version 0 of 1. New Zealand passed anti-terrorism measures on Tuesday that increase domestic surveillance powers and attempt to stop nationals from travelling abroad to fight for groups such as Islamic State. Politicians voted in favour of the bill by 94 votes to 27. The prime minister, John Key, welcomed the result, saying the government was enhancing domestic security as well as responding to the rapidly evolving threat posed by New Zealanders fighting abroad. The law allows the nation’s domestic spy agency to carry out surveillance for up to 24 hours without a warrant. It also increases the amount of time the government can cancel a passport on national security grounds from one year to three years. The law was fast-tracked through parliament and is scheduled to expire in 2017. New Zealand has had few terrorist incidents in its history, but Key recently said government agencies had a watch list of between 30 and 40 people said to be engaged in extremist behavior. He said some had travelled to Syria to engage in fighting with Isis, some had tried to travel but failed, and some were suspected of funding terrorism. |