Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

PSA: World Human Rights Day an opportunity to reflect

This year’s World Human Rights Day is an opportunity to reflect on the state of the world 70 years after the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, says the PSA.

"Today’s 70th anniversary firstly shows how enduringly well the declaration has stood the test of time, as well as giving cause to reflect on the ongoing struggles that remain for truly universal human rights to be achieved," say PSA national secretaries Kerry Davies and Glenn Barclay.

"Articles in the declaration that affirm the right everyone has to equal access to public service, wherever they live, and that defend the right to just and favourable conditions of work show a level of progressive thinking that workers around the world can take heart from.

"As so clearly and forcefully set out, word for word, in article 23, everyone has rights to equal pay for equal work, to just and favourable remuneration and to form and join trade unions, without any discrimination.

"The PSA agrees with the message from Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero today that the declaration is as relevant today as it ever has been," say Kerry Davies and Glenn Barclay.

"Without protection hard-won rights can be lost. That’s one of the reasons it was so important to see balance restored to employment relations with the passing of a new law last week to enhance the basic rights of workers in the form of the Employment Relations Amendment Act.

"We wish Paula Teoriero well for her presentation later this week of a report on the status of human rights in New Zealand to representatives of UN member states in Geneva. It is a credit to equal pay advocates that she will be reporting on game-changing settlements and that steps being taken to eliminate the gender pay gap will be presented.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

"There is always more to do, but at the same time there is no better time to benchmark ourselves each year than on World Human Rights Day".

Note: New Zealand was one of the 48 states that proclaimed the Declaration at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in Paris, on 10 December 1948. The Declaration, which includes 30 articles and a preamble, was worked on by representatives from around the world, including our Prime Minister Peter Fraser. Supporting Fraser were South Canterbury Hospital Board member and political activist, Ann Newlands, and a young lawyer and diplomat Colin Aikman, who was studying in London. #StandUp4HumanRights

ENDS


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.