5 hrs ago
New Zealand Says It Cannot Block Planned US Execution Livestream
The US military says it plans to execute Nidal Hasan by firing squad on December 3.
The Pentagon says people will be able to watch the execution live online.
Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people and hurting 32 others at Fort Hood in 2009.
New Zealand’s censor says the country cannot stop people from watching a livestream while it is happening.
New Zealand law also requires officials to balance possible harm with freedom of expression.
Rights groups say showing an execution live would be cruel and disrespectful.
Amnesty International Australia asked Australia’s prime minister to urge the US to change its decision.
The White House did not say whether President Donald Trump supports the livestream.
The Pentagon said Nidal Hasan’s execution by firing squad is planned for December 3 and would be livestreamed.
Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist, was convicted of killing 13 people and wounding 32 at Fort Hood in 2009.
New Zealand’s Classification Office said it cannot classify or block a livestream while it is happening.
Chief Censor Caroline Flora said New Zealand law requires balancing freedom of expression against the likelihood of harm.
Rights groups condemned the planned broadcast, while Amnesty International Australia urged Anthony Albanese to ask the United States to reverse the decision.
- Who
- Nidal Hasan; the US Pentagon; New Zealand’s Classification Office; and rights groups including Amnesty International Australia.
- What
- The Pentagon said Hasan’s planned execution by firing squad would be livestreamed; New Zealand’s censor said it could not block the stream.
- Where
- The execution is planned in the United States. New Zealand’s Classification Office commented on whether access could be blocked there.
- When
- The execution is planned for December 3; the report was published October 9.
- Why
- The Pentagon said people need to understand the serious consequences of such acts; rights groups objected to making an execution a public spectacle.
Criticism of Livestreaming
Defense and Legal Considerations
Broadcasting the execution
Criticism of Livestreaming
Amnesty International Australia said livestreaming an execution disregards human dignity and compounds the cruelty of the death penalty.
Defense and Legal Considerations
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the execution a “no-brainer” and said people need to understand the serious consequences of such acts.
Restricting access
Criticism of Livestreaming
Rights groups called on governments to protest the decision, and Amnesty International Australia asked Australia’s prime minister to press the US to reverse it.
Defense and Legal Considerations
New Zealand’s Classification Office said it could not classify a livestream as it happens or block access, and Chief Censor Caroline Flora said the law requires balancing freedom of expression with the likelihood of harm.
Key facts
- Planned execution date
- December 3
- Method
- Firing squad
- Person sentenced
- Nidal Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist
- Fort Hood casualties
- 13 people killed and 32 wounded in 2009
- New Zealand censor’s position
- The Classification Office said it cannot classify a livestream while it is taking place or block access to it.
- US approval
- The Pentagon said President Donald Trump approved the execution on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recommendation.
- Rights-group response
- Amnesty International Australia urged Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to press the US to reverse the decision.
Quotes
Kyin z om Dhongdue
Campaign manager at Amnesty International Australia.
“The threshold for banning content under New Zealand law is high and requires that we balance freedom of expression with the likelihood of harm.”
theprint.in
“The suggestion that an execution by firing squad should be livestreamed for public viewing is an appalling disregard for human dignity.”
theprint.in
New Zealand Classification Office spokesperson
Spokesperson for New Zealand’s national censorship authority.
“The Classification Office cannot classify a livestream event as it is taking place, and we, nor any other body, has the authority to block access to a livestream event.”
theprint.in
Sources
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