Race Relations Case Concluded

The proceedings between National MP Murray McCully and Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres over the Commissioner's speech on the United Nations Day for Cultural Heritage in 2002 have been concluded.

The Human Rights Commission says it accepts, and will not be appealing, the judgment of the Full Court of the High Court that the immunity from proceedings in the Human Rights Commission Act 1993 did not apply to the speech.

Mr McCully has advised that he will not be further pursuing his claim in the Human Rights Review Tribunal.

Mr McCully and Mr de Bres both recognise the importance of freedom of speech and the fact that the nation's early history is a matter of sensitivity for New Zealanders.

Mr de Bres has expressed regret at any offence caused by his speech.

Mr McCully says he is satisfied that the question of immunity for Commissioners has been properly settled by the High Court and, in light of Mr de Bres' expression of regret at any offence caused, sees no point in prolonging the matter.

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>