Media release: Ian Dunwoodie…
The Terror group, Iran’s ‘Republican Guard Corps’ (IRGC), has been designated a Terrorist Entity in Australia. There are now calls to do the same in New Zealand.
On the same day the NZSIS (NZ Security Intelligence Service) released its Security Threat Report, Ian Dunwoodie made a submission to designate Iran’s ‘Republican Guard Corps’ (IRGC) a terrorist entity here in New Zealand.
Submission to ban Iran Terror group in NZ
Dunwoodie says the Iran Terror group is “an immediate and significant threat to New Zealand’s National Security”. His submission asserts that due to the immediacy of the threat the Government agencies responsible for National Security should consider a ban immediately.
The Submission notes that the Iran Terror group is responsible for terrorist acts in Australia, and that the Australian Government has listed it as a “state sponsor of terrorism”.
Australia has stated that the Iran Terror group provides support, weapons and finance to Hizbollah, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Dunwoodie points out that these three subordinate groups are already banned terrorist entities in New Zealand. It follows that their sponsor should also be banned.
And that other like-minded countries have listed the IRGC a terrorist entity – in addition to Australia, they include Canada, UK, USA and the European Parliament.
IRGC strategy of violence, agitation & incitement
The Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Senator Penny Wong, has previously said of the IRGC strikes – “These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil. This is an attack on our society, aimed at creating fear, stoking internal divisions and eroding social cohesion …… and to sow hatred and division in our community … ”.
Noting the Minister’s comments, Dunwoodie said that as well as violence, terror and intimidation, IRGC strategy includes provocateurs, disinformation, agitation and incitement.
Process for designating the Iran Terror group a Terrorist Entity.
Dunwoodie made his submission to ban the IRGC to the Terrorist Designations Working Group via the NZSIS. In the end, the decision to ban is made by the Prime Minister under section 22 of the Terrorism Suppression Act. Dunwoodie, who is enrolled as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand,made the submission in his personal capacity.
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National Security issues also raised with the Ombudsman in an URGENT Complaint…
Last week Dunwoodie also lodged an URGENT Complaint with the Ombudsman after the Electoral Commission announced that the Free Palestine Party was being registered as a party under the Electoral Act.
As part of a public consultation process, Dunwoodie had earlier made an Objection to the Electoral Commission arguing that the Free Palestine Party had failed to meet the Electoral Act’s Registration Requirements.
He also raised issues of National Security, saying it has been reported that a senior Official of the Free Palestine Party is also a representative of a group which has been designated the equivalent of a Terrorist Entity in Canada, USA and the European Union.
Dunwoodie’s Objection also highlighted New Zealand’s Terrorism Suppression Act, asking the Electoral Commission to investigate whether the Free Palestine Party, or any other party seeking registration, has ties to a group that has been designated a Terrorist Entity in New Zealand.
Following the announcement of the party’s registration Ian Dunwoodie immediately lodged an URGENT Complaint with the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman has the power to investigate decisions by the Electoral Commission.
It is an URGENT Complaint because party registration relates to the Electoral Process, and the Electoral Process has already begun.
