27 May 2007 For immediate release

MEDIA RELEASE

Human Rights Commission Taken to the Human Rights Commission

A complaint of discrimination has been lodged with the Human Rights Commission over its National Statement on Religious Diversity.

The New Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists, an organisation that exists to serve the interests of non-religious New Zealanders, claims that the New Zealand Statement on Religious Diversity discriminates against the non-religious.

Andrew Geard from the NZARH explains “The Statement says that religious communities and their members have a right to safety and security. There is no mention of the same right for the non-religious. This is particularly worrying because religious beliefs are often the cause of intolerance and persecution.”

“The non-religious have been excluded from being directly involved in the drafting of the Statement. As a result the Statement shows a clear bias in favour of the religious.”

The complaint can be viewed at www.nzarh.org.nz.

ENDS

© Scoop Media