Monday, June 9, 2008
Police to publish more details on Taser Trails
"What information has been published by the police is scant, it is misleading and it is very, very brief in terms of the actual incidents themselves and what the public ought to be shown and consider if they're going to be part of a decision whether to arm the police again," says Marie Dyhrberg of the Campaign Against The Taser group.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Campaign against the Taser
CATT spokesperson Marie Dyhrberg called on the Commissioner of Police to delay his decision on the Taser until the public has had the opportunity to view and comment on all relevant information about the trial, not just the summaries made available so far, which the Ombudsman has called "sanitised":
'I have read the summaries and compared them with the tactical options report accounts. In my view, many of the summaries are extremely brief, and have the effect of "sanitising" the original reports.' – Chief Ombudsman
The criticism has been welcomed by anti-Taser campaigners such as lawyer Marie Dyhrberg.
"The police have not been open and transparent. They have been very selective about in what information they have decided to provide to the New Zealand public," she says.
'I have read the summaries and compared them with the tactical options report accounts. In my view, many of the summaries are extremely brief, and have the effect of "sanitising" the original reports.' – Chief Ombudsman
The criticism has been welcomed by anti-Taser campaigners such as lawyer Marie Dyhrberg.
"The police have not been open and transparent. They have been very selective about in what information they have decided to provide to the New Zealand public," she says.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Radio New Zealand News : Latest News : 200806041940 : Bail process should include relatives, says murder victim's family
Bail process should include relatives, says murder victim's family
The family of a teenager killed, ask they be included in considering bail for the youth charged with the killing, after he took up residence 1km from the family home.
Marie Dyhrberg said it is in the defense's own interests to ensure clients are bailed as far away as possible from their alleged victims and their families because it protects a client from confrontation and allegations of improper contact.
- partly extracted from radio nz posted at 7:40pm
The family of a teenager killed, ask they be included in considering bail for the youth charged with the killing, after he took up residence 1km from the family home.
Marie Dyhrberg said it is in the defense's own interests to ensure clients are bailed as far away as possible from their alleged victims and their families because it protects a client from confrontation and allegations of improper contact.
- partly extracted from radio nz posted at 7:40pm
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
PM Criticised for speaking on case
Macsyna King's lawyer Marie Dyhrberg says PM Helen Clark should not get involved in the high profile case.
She says politicians have no right to dictate how the justice system should run.
Dyhrberg says it would not be right for police to reopen the case because of demands from political and pressure groups.
Linked article from TVNZ has details. Click on the heading.
She says politicians have no right to dictate how the justice system should run.
Dyhrberg says it would not be right for police to reopen the case because of demands from political and pressure groups.
Linked article from TVNZ has details. Click on the heading.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Taser debate reignited by Christchurch police shooting | NATIONAL | NEWS | tvnz.co.nz
Taser debate reignited by Christchurch police shooting | NATIONAL | NEWS | tvnz.co.nz
A senior police officer fired several shots at a 37 year old after the man reportedly charged the police office with a claw hammer.
NZ First law and order campaigner Ron Mark raised this issue as "proof of that the Taser is needed".
But barrister and anti-taser campaigner Marie Dyhrberg says there would be consequences from not having strict guidelines on the use of the Taser.
She says it could be used to make people comply with police rather than for containing someone threatening violence.
Dyhrberg says there needs to be better consultation about when to use them.
A report on the effectiveness of Tasers is due out in December.
A senior police officer fired several shots at a 37 year old after the man reportedly charged the police office with a claw hammer.
NZ First law and order campaigner Ron Mark raised this issue as "proof of that the Taser is needed".
But barrister and anti-taser campaigner Marie Dyhrberg says there would be consequences from not having strict guidelines on the use of the Taser.
She says it could be used to make people comply with police rather than for containing someone threatening violence.
Dyhrberg says there needs to be better consultation about when to use them.
A report on the effectiveness of Tasers is due out in December.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Naming usual after conviction - Christchurch News - The Press
Naming usual after conviction - Christchurch News - The Press
Marie Dyhrberg comments on name suppression following the conviction of Peter Stewart, on historical child-sex charges, who would have faced "almost inevitable" failure in his bid to keep his name secret.
Dyhrberg said rights were being trampled when defendants were identified before accusations were proven in court.
"There is a presumption (on conviction) for naming that you can't argue against," she said.
"There will be rare cases where it will still be appropriate for really emotional family issues, and particularly when the public good isn't served by naming someone."
"It doesn't hurt the public to wait a few more weeks. The argument that the public ought to know in no way outweighs the presumption of innocence."
Marie Dyhrberg comments on name suppression following the conviction of Peter Stewart, on historical child-sex charges, who would have faced "almost inevitable" failure in his bid to keep his name secret.
Dyhrberg said rights were being trampled when defendants were identified before accusations were proven in court.
"There is a presumption (on conviction) for naming that you can't argue against," she said.
"There will be rare cases where it will still be appropriate for really emotional family issues, and particularly when the public good isn't served by naming someone."
"It doesn't hurt the public to wait a few more weeks. The argument that the public ought to know in no way outweighs the presumption of innocence."
Friday, December 14, 2007
Scoop: CATT releases report on Taser Trial
Scoop: CATT releases report on Taser Trial
Marie Dyhrberg seemed a lone voice who spoke out against the Taser and its introduction into New Zealand police on a trail basis. And then suddenly a condemnation of it as a device of torture came from the United Nations. Torture has been one of the uses of Tasers as no doubt most have een portrayed in the media.
"Introducing potentially lethal weapons into policing is a matter that must be fully justified before it is done - both to the public, and to Parliament which bears the ultimate responsibility for the welfare and safety of all New Zealanders", Dyhrberg said. "Following an independent inquiry, any subsequent decision must be made at Ministerial level, with every effort made to ensure a meaningful democratic process."
It is certainly not in the interests of New Zealanders that one individual take on this decision. A civil servant should not make political decisions.
Some of the key points of the CATT report include:
Marie Dyhrberg seemed a lone voice who spoke out against the Taser and its introduction into New Zealand police on a trail basis. And then suddenly a condemnation of it as a device of torture came from the United Nations. Torture has been one of the uses of Tasers as no doubt most have een portrayed in the media.
"Introducing potentially lethal weapons into policing is a matter that must be fully justified before it is done - both to the public, and to Parliament which bears the ultimate responsibility for the welfare and safety of all New Zealanders", Dyhrberg said. "Following an independent inquiry, any subsequent decision must be made at Ministerial level, with every effort made to ensure a meaningful democratic process."
It is certainly not in the interests of New Zealanders that one individual take on this decision. A civil servant should not make political decisions.
Some of the key points of the CATT report include:
- the Taser is likely to be misused or used in inappropriate situations
- a decision by the Police Commissioner to introduce the Taser will itself be flawed, and will not enjoy widespread legitimacy
- more than 290 deaths have been linked to the Taser in the United States since 2001
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