Protesters give ‘blood offering’ outside spy HQ

Human blood was poured on the doorstep of New Zealand’s spy headquarters in Wellington yesterday.

About 40 protesters, chanting and praying, alleged the GCSB helped gather intelligence, leading to United States drone strikes.

Some were blocking the Pipitea St building’s entrance for more than an hour at midday. Blood – some in bottles, most poured out – was on the ground between them.

Forrest Chambers, spokesman for the protesters, said seven of them had 30ml of blood each taken by ‘‘medical professionals’’ before coming to the GCSB, where the blood was left on the ground outside.

‘‘The GCSB has spilled so much blood that perhaps they can clean this blood up themselves.’’

GCSB director Andrew Hampton said the bureau respected people’s right to peaceful protest.

‘‘Protecting the security and wellbeing of New Zealand and New Zealanders, so citizens can enjoy their rights and freedoms, is why the GCSB exists.

‘‘Everything we do must be in New Zealand’s interests based on priorities set by the New Zealand government.

‘‘The GCSB is required to act in accordance with New Zealand law and with all human rights standards recognised by New Zealand law. This applies to sharing of intelligence with our Five Eyes partners.’’

The bureau had made a recent ‘‘concerted effort’’ to be more transparent, he said.

Professional cleaners were brought in to clean up the blood.

Hampton did not answer questions regarding whether New Zealand’s involvement in Five Eyes led to US drone strikes in the Middle East.

A spokeswoman from the protest group said the action was the culmination of Drone Assassination Awareness Week, during which the group had been fasting and praying for the civilian victims of US military drone strikes.

The group described the protest as a ‘‘blood offering’’ made to raise awareness about GCSB links to the multinational Five Eyes spy community.

The group said it was demanding a full review of New Zealand links to the Five Eyes intelligence alliance – which also comprises Australia, Canada, Britain and the US – as well as any support the local agency might be giving to US drone operations.

‘‘We also ask that the GCSB make public all their files from 1987 to 2007.

‘‘We appreciate the need for operational secrecy, so they can keep the last 10 years up to the present under wraps. But scrutiny of their historic files cannot compromise their current operations,’’ the spokeswoman said.

‘‘If the GCSB have done nothing wrong, then they have nothing to fear in releasing their historic files.’’