New Zealand Human Rights Grievences

Image: Countries in green have signed up to the U.N. IOCCPR, as of February 2009

New Zealand has signed up to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and must therefore submit regular reports to Geneva on the status of Human Rights in New Zealand. One such regular report is due for consideration in July 2009. Two lawyers from Wellington, New Zealand have sent in a shadow report regarding human rights abused in New Zealand. Such shadow reports are rare from New Zealand, where there are few resources available for making such reports. There is also an attitude towards prisoners by a substantial proportion of New Zealand population of, 'they deserve it' , where awareness of human rights, and principles of justice and fairness have yet to make an prevailing impact.

The police complaints authority which is funded by the New Zealand state and run by ex-police officers is one focus of the human rights shadow report submitted by Mr Ellis and the Council for Civil Liberties. The report questions the human rights of prisoners detained by the state and highlights short comings in New Zealand's laws and policy. In New Zealand, if you are detained and ill-treated, there is no effective remedy available to you (no action that is available for you to take under the current law). There is especial concern regarding the treatment of mentally vulnerable prisoners, and of children and young people in prisons.

Mr Ellis is also promoting an independent body to oversee prisons and a need for the Bill of Rights to be upheld. At the moment, the government can pass any law even if it contravenes the Bill of Rights.

Fortunately there have been some positive steps over time, like the creation of a Supreme Court and a review of laws monitoring policing and corrections, the creation of the Families Commission, allowing Civil Unions and also making an Action Plan for Human Rights. However, there is alot of work to be done to raise awareness of the importance of protecting Human Rights, from a moral and human perspectives in the country.