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I’ll do it, but only if you’ll help

Pledge “nzsedition”

"I will write to Justice Minister Mark Burton urging the repeal of New Zealand's sedition laws but only if 20 other New Zealanders will do the same."

— Idiot/Savant

Deadline to sign up by: 11th May 2007
53 people signed up (33 over target)

Country: New Zealand

More details
The law of sedition is an archaic crime which criminalises "exciting disaffection" against the government. In the past it has typically been used as a tool of political persecution, claiming among its victims Maori and labour leaders, conscientious objectors and pacifists, and those seeking Samoan independence. After lying dormant for over fifty years, the law was recently revivied to prosecute Tim Selwyn, and now seems to be being used as a "catch-all" offence in the place of more appropriate (but harder to prove) charges.

The law was recently reviewed by the Law Commission, who recommended repeal. This was backed by a coalition of four minor parties: United Future, the Greens, the Maori Party and ACT. Justice Minister Mark Burton says that this is a sign that repeal has wide support - but we should not leave him in any doubt. So, I'd like people to show their support by writing to him urging that the law be repealed.

Hon Mark Burton
Minister of Justice
Parliament Buildings
Wellington

(No stamp required, so all this costs is time, paper and an envelope).

If you need background information, the Law Commission's report can be found here:

http://www.lawcom.govt.nz/ProjectReport....

More information on the law of sedition, its application in New Zealand, and its victims can be found at the following links:

http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2005/08/...
http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2005/08/...

I've set a target of 20 people, but remember that you can sign up even after a pledge has met its target. The more people who write, the stronger the message it will send.

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Comments on this pledge

  • Good work Idsy, I'm sure it'll be at 20 in no time :-)
  • Sedition is a monstrous law - it always has been, and always will be. It serves no purpose in a society that considers itself to have developed high standards of civil liberties.
    Macro, 6 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • Ask dirty DICK Hubbard when he is going to stop holding city council meetings in SECRET and tell him to stop trespassing and arresting members of the public like Penny Bright over 6 times so far and over 14 in total!
    the real president, 6 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • The sedition law is both archaic, and open to abuse. A charge of wilful damage would have sufficed when Helen Clarke's electorate office was attacked.
    Abolishing this law would be a step towards a less didactic society.
    Kerry Tankard, 6 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
This pledge is closed for new comments.

Current signatories (Green text = they've done it)

Idiot/Savant, the Pledge Creator, joined by:

  • Lewis J Holden
  • Jeremy Greenbrook-Held
  • Peter Cresswell
  • Bernard Darnton
  • Nigel Kearney
  • Michael Homer
  • Will de Cleene
  • Span
  • R Wheeler-Ayling
  • Paul Litterick
  • thomas forrow
  • Ben Thomas
  • bomber
  • Mikaere Curtis
  • Simon Stewart
  • Hayden Wood
  • the real president
  • Kane Bunce
  • David Parker
  • Kerry Tankard
  • morgan davie
  • Steven Price
  • Gavin Middleton
  • Russell Brown
  • Mark Derby
  • Alan Gorton
  • Nicholas O'Kane
  • Julio Pop
  • Nathan Ahern
  • Lukas Clemens Schroeter
  • Luke Ryan
  • David Farrar
  • Pamela Mills
  • James Cairney
  • dad4justice
  • Richard McGrath
  • David V Williams
  • Jordan Carter
  • Phil Sage
  • Andrew Rockell
  • Camille Johnson
  • 12 people who did not want to give their names

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