Human Rights Commission
Media release
Embargoed until 5am 10 December 2010

Commission launches major report card on human rights

Poverty, entrenched inequality and discrimination are critical human rights issues in New Zealand according to a major report card Human Rights in New Zealand 2010 released by the Human Rights Commission today.

Chief Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan says, “The 30 priority areas for action over the next five years will strengthen human rights protections and better ensure the equality and security of everyone in New Zealand”.

The priority areas involve a major focus on economic, social and cultural rights, covering health, education, equal employment opportunities, social security and housing. They include:
• strengthening New Zealand’s constitutional and legal framework
• tackling entrenched inequalities and systemic structural discrimination
• explicitly and effectively implementing civil and political and economic, social and cultural rights.

A key recommendation in Human Rights in New Zealand 2010 is for Parliament to establish a Human Rights Select Committee to strengthen Parliament’s focus on protecting human rights. Other recommendations include reducing child poverty through a coordinated and integrated approach, with a specific attention to Māori children, Pacific and disabled children; increasing the supply and diversity of social housing; and reviewing and addressing the adequacy of core benefit rates.

“What is clear from this report card,” says Ms Noonan, “is that human rights matter. In tough economic times a robust national human rights framework is more important than ever to ensure basic security and a fair go for every New Zealander. Their realisation is vital to our expectations about life, education, health, work, our personal security, equal opportunity and fair treatment, and to our system of government.”

Ms Noonan said “A roof over your head, a fair work environment and social protections when you are unemployed or ill are basic rights. It’s in everyone’s interest that the enduring cycle of poverty be broken.”

In selecting the priorities for action, the Commission recognised that responsibility for respecting human rights extends well beyond central government – to regional and local government, business and community sectors, and voluntary groups and organisations.

“Individuals, community groups and other civil society organisations play a critical role in creating an environment of respect for human rights and harmonious race relations,” says Ms Noonan.

Human Rights in New Zealand 2010 confirms that New Zealand continues to meet international human rights standards in many respects, and often surpasses them. It shows some steady improvements since 2004, but also reveals the fragility of some of those gains and areas where progress has been reversed.

“It is clear that there is no room for complacency and that New Zealand continues to face serious human rights challenges. They are challenges, however, that can be met where there is political will and strong civil society commitment and engagement,” says Ms Noonan.

Human Rights in New Zealand 2010 is the second comprehensive report on human rights undertaken by the Commission to assess how well New Zealand meets international human rights standards. It updates the first report, published in 2004.

The Commission has chosen to launch Human Rights in New Zealand 2010 on International Human Rights Day, 10 December, which marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the United Nations in 1948. This year the international theme is “Speak up-Stop Discrimination.”

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Human Rights in New Zealand 2010 is available on the Commission’s website:click here

[Scoop copies:
Human_Rights_Review_2010_Summary.pdf
08Dec2010_132628_30_Priority_Areas.pdf
Human_Rights_Review_2010_Full.pdf]

Thirty priority areas for action on human rights in New Zealand

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