Kia ora Koutou Katoa,
This email is to inform you of the various acts which constitute grave
indigenous and human rights violations on a well known Maori activitist and
Independence Advocate in Aotearoa, Tame Iti of the Tuhoe Nation. Tame Iti
was arrested on Friday 20 June and charged with kidnapping, assault (of a
police officer), and possession of firearms.
These charges were brought against Tame Iti after his own home and other
homes in their area were vandalized and burgled by a few youth. Tame Iti
held a meeting with these youth to educate them and then escorted them
(kidnapping charge) to return various stolen items to the people that they
burgled. This process is considered to be a recognised cultural
intervention strategy amongst Maori communities. The Police charges seem to
be in relation to his use of cultural protocols rather than him committing
any outrageous crime.
His arrest is no surprise given that a painting worth about 1 million
dollars was stolen in the area days before Tame's arrest. The Police and
media have blamed Maori activists as the culprits. Tame sees the charges as
"outrageous" and his lawyer views them as "overkill". Timing and
circumstances of these events strongly suggest that Tame Iti's arrest is one
of being a Political Prisoner in his own lands, his own Nation.
On Monday 23 June 1997 bail was set and Tame is currently under house
arrest, confined to his home from 6pm - 6am. His trial date is set to take
place at the Whakatane District Court on July 18, 1997.
Send letters of support and/or send a cheque to help his legal defense fund
to: The Tuhoe Embassy, 57 Tuhoe Street, Taneatua, New Zealand.
Or fax +64 07 312-9669.