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."

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:

• 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
  

Police want to use Tasers

And you have to wonder. As Marie Dyhrberg has pointed out, the UN has declared the device as an implement of torture. When you see reality TV cops using Tasers or the Polish immigrant shocked to death for nothing other than expediency - you have to wonder if Taser use is any different to other forms of torture.

If the police in NZ add the Taser to their arsenal it will no replace guns but relatively harmless pepper spray.

It is not the exception that should make the rule in matters of humanity. Police culture would be corrupted by the power of this machine that induces extreme agony. Police should never be trained to punish - that is up to judges and juries.