A proposed new bill in New Zealand would move the country a step closer to becoming a police state.  Under the new proposals, the right to remain silent would be removed, police would be able to search houses without warrants, and the police would be given the power to search computers remotely.  Privacy activists have raised concerns that the new bill would give too much power to the police, enabling them to restrict the freedom of speech.

Parliament’s justice and electoral select committee is considering the Search and Surveillance Bill which is based on a 2007 Law Commission report and also brings together police powers which are scattered through numerous statutes.

It gives police and other law enforcement agencies increased powers such as the ability to compel people to answer questions, clone computer information and makes changes to searches and surveillance.

While MPs have stated that the new bill is to focus only on criminals, privacy advocates worry that it could easily be turned against regular citizens.  The problem lies in the fact that, given these types of powers, if the police “think” a person is a criminal, they can proceed to search homes and computer equipment as well as put surveillance teams on the suspected criminal.

While there is a slim chance this will pass into law, if you live in New Zealand, write to your MP and tell them not to vote for such a bill.