Ahmed Zaoui Still Imprisoned Without Charge: Government Loses Legal Battles, Inspector-General Loses Job

Abstract

As the powers of surveillance agencies like the SIS continue to be widened, nobody should be under any illusions that there is a genuine impartial process for public oversight or accountability. The office of Inspector-General has never provided that, and the replacement of the office holder does not address this underlying problem. Ahmed Zaoui remains incarcerated. The country is indebted to him and his legal team for finally seeing off an Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security. However, the Government has clearly indicated its intention to see Mr Zaoui off as well. It has recently been revealed that New Zealand is approaching other countries about whether they would take Mr Zaoui in the event of his deportation. It is important for him and for the country as a whole that all possible legal and political measures be adopted to prevent this from happening.