Editorial: Paula Bennett's 'fewer human rights' comment out of order

Mark Dawson, editor of Wanganui Chronicle

THE pressure of a tight election with its stresses and moments of desperation can result in the brain and mouth temporarily disengaging.

So one could forgive Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett for saying that some Kiwis have "fewer human rights than others". At least, one could have if she had retracted the statement and made clear that human rights apply to everyone.

She was promoting National's policy for addressing the drug epidemic, specifically methamphetamine and specifically criminal activity.

One of the proposals is to give the police the power to search "gang members" without a warrant, which has the look of a slippery slope to abuse of people's rights. Her justification - that some people have "fewer rights" - is appalling.

For starters, not all "gang members" are criminals - but it seems law-abiding citizens will suffer just the same.

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University of Canterbury sociologist Dr Jarrod Gilbert described Bennett's remarks as "sinister".

"Our country, and the principles of Western justice that underpin it, are more valuable than a political party's advantage on the hustings," he added.

Having spent many years researching his book Patched: The History of Gangs in New Zealand, he may know more about this subject than the Deputy Prime Minister.

On a visit to Whanganui for the literary festival, he explained how police data had the late, esteemed broadcaster Sir Paul Holmes listed as a "gang associate" - his daughter Millie Elder was dating the son of a gang member.

I wonder how Sir Paul would have reacted to having police raid his home without a judicially-approved warrant.

Dr Gilbert also points out that the majority of drug dealers aren't gang members.

Giving the police more resources to combat crime should be welcomed, but not at the expense of civil liberties.

Given the tendency of power to corrupt, Dr Gilbert is right to question just how far this proposed new police discretion will extend and where will it stop.