Rights watchdog warns of abuse under New Zealand government plan to extend spying powers

WELLINGTON, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand government's own Human Rights Commission on Friday criticized government plans to extend the surveillance powers of one of its main intelligence agencies, saying they lacked adequate oversight and accountability.

The commission's report is likely to bolster opposition to the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) and Related Legislation Amendment Bill, for which the government is struggling to muster Parliamentary support.

Chief Commissioner David Rutherford said the commission submitted its report directly to the government due to the seriousness of the proposed measures and "the need for proper oversight of the surveillance activities of intelligence agencies. "

He said the commission was concerned that the proposed changes were "wide-reaching without sufficient safeguards against abuse of power."

"There is inadequate oversight and inadequate provision for ensuring transparency and accountability," Rutherford said in a statement.

While the commission recognized that some level of surveillance was justifiable in a democratic society, "the right to privacy is fundamental in a democracy and reinforces other fundamental rights, such as rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. "

The commission recommended a full and independent inquiry into New Zealand's intelligence services to consider their role and function, their governance and oversight mechanisms and the balance between human rights and national security.

It also called for stronger accountability and oversight mechanisms, including Parliamentary oversight, in addition to the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security.

The commission's report came after a series of submissions to Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee expressing concerns over the Bill.

Radio New Zealand reported Friday that Prime Minister John Key, who is also Minister Responsible for the GCSB, said the commissioners should ask themselves why they had failed to put a submission in to the Parliamentary committee on time.

He said they were funded by the government and the only people who could not make the June deadline.

The GCSB is forbidden to spy on New Zealand citizens and residents, but the government wants to overturn this ban after the agency was caught illegally spying on the communications of German Internet mogul Kim Dotcom.

The founder of file-sharing site Megaupload, Dotcom had his Auckland home raided by police in January last year at the behest of United States law enforcement agencies, who are seeking his extradition on Internet piracy, money-laundering and racketeering charges.

A subsequent government report found the GCSB might have illegally spied on more than 80 people.