Ombudsman’s investigations will ensure the voices of people with learning disabilities are heard
Source: Human Rights Commission The Ombudsman’s investigations into the oversight of facilities and services for people with learning disabilities is timely says Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero. The voices of people with learning disabilities have often been unheard or silenced for too long, says Ms Tesoriero. “This is particularly so when people are living in […]
Read More →17 recommendations from the United Nations Universal Periodic Review on disability
Source: Human Rights Commission Earlier this month, United Nations member states made recommendations to improve human rights in New Zealand. There were 194 recommendations. Seventeen of the recommendations were specifically about disability. The recommendations have been published in a draft report. These will be finalised and presented to the New Zealand Government to accept or […]
Read More →“It is imperative we do not lack conviction” — Chief Commissioner
Source: Human Rights Commission By Paul Hunt, Chief Human Rights Commissioner Friends, we live in a dangerous world. In many countries, there’s a pushback against human rights, toleration and respect for cultural diversity. You know the countries. I don’t need to name them. They are not few. This pushback coincides with a time of shocking […]
Read More →Human rights and well-being need to be at the centre of Government’s reform agenda
Source: Human Rights Commission The Chief Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt is urging the New Zealand Government to place human rights, equality and well-being in the centre of its reform agenda. Mr Hunt made the comments in response to the Justice Minister Andrew Little’s submission to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva last […]
Read More →Why it matters that New Zealand could receive its first LGBTI+ recommendation before the UPR
Source: Human Rights Commission By Katharine Woolrych Geneva — Worldwide, the rights of people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and sexual characteristics are under threat. Same-sex sexual activity is a crime in 72 countries, and can be punished with the death sentence in eight countries. Transgender people, whose gender identity is different from the […]
Read More →What is the Universal Periodic Review, and why is it important for New Zealand?
Source: Human Rights Commission On Monday (21 January) Justice Minister Andrew Little will discuss New Zealand’s human rights record over the past four-and-a-half years at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. The Minister’s address will be part of the third review of human rights in New Zealand carried out at the council. These […]
Read More →Acting Chief Executive, Muaausa Pele Walker
Source: Human Rights Commission Muaausa Pele Walker has been with the Human Rights Commission since 2006. For the last four years she has been the Chief Mediator for the Commission. Prior to joining the Commission, Pele’s professional experience included senior management roles with the Otago Health Board, the Office of the Auditor General and Resolution […]
Read More →Breach of human rights highlights need for right to privacy protections
Source: Human Rights Commission The findings from State Services Commission’s Inquiry into the Use of External Security Consultants shows the need for stronger protections to safeguard human rights, especially privacy says Chief Legal Advisor Janet Anderson-Bidois. “The right to privacy is a fundamental human right. It is unacceptable for citizens to be subject to wrongful […]
Read More →Pacific women paid lowest in New Zealand’s Public Service
Source: Human Rights Commission A pay gap of 21% for Pacific women working in the public service is alarming and needs to be addressed urgently, says Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Saunoamaali’i Dr Karanina Sumeo. Dr Sumeo was commenting on the findings in the State Services Commission’s “Our People: Public Service Workforce Data 2018” report. “The […]
Read More →New Zealand needs to take a human-rights based approach
Source: Human Rights Commission Acting Chief Human Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero will highlight significant human rights issues in New Zealand with United Nations member states in Geneva this week. Every five years, United Nations member states hear about the human rights issues facing New Zealanders and then make recommendations to the New Zealand Government about […]
Read More →Grace Millane’s death reminds us of the violence so many women in New Zealand face
Source: Human Rights Commission By Saunoamaali’i Dr Karanina Sumeo Grace Millane’s death is an absolute tragedy. While the details of the case are still emerging, our hearts rightly ache that we couldn’t protect Grace, a visitor to our country. Grace’s death also reminds us of the very real dangers so many women face in New […]
Read More →Rebekah Armstrong: What the Australian Modern Slavery Act will mean for big Kiwi businesses
Source: Human Rights Commission Australia has a Modern Slavery Act. It comes into effect 1 January 2019 and places legal requirements on companies earning more than A$100 million ($104.7m) per annum to publicly report on modern slavery risks in their supply chains. The new Act is part of the global response to address the human […]
Read More →Paula Tesoriero: Human rights declaration as relevant as ever at 70
Source: Human Rights Commission Three New Zealanders helped bring about the land mark Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 70 years ago, writes Acting Chief Human Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero. Anniversaries often prompt reflection. The 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December is a useful moment to look at what we […]
Read More →Transformational change needed to reform our Education system
Source: Human Rights Commission The Human Rights Commission welcomes the release of the Tomorrows Schools Independent Taskforce: “Our schooling futures: Stronger Together’ Report. Acting Chief Human Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero says the recommendations in the report are an opportunity to create an education system that is innovative, flexible and focused on collaboration rather than in […]
Read More →New accessibility work programme important step in breaking down barriers
Source: Human Rights Commission The Human Rights Commission welcomes the announcement of a new government work programme focussing on accessibility. Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero says the announcement paves the way forward to breaking down some of the barriers experienced by New Zealanders on a daily basis, in particular disabled New Zealanders. “A quarter of […]
Read More →Having a voice: A conversation with Robert Martin
Source: Human Rights Commission Having a voice: A conversation with Robert Martin December 3, 2018 Today is the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities – a day to focus on the full and equal participation of disabled people. Earlier this month, Paula Tesoriero, the Disability Rights Commissioner spoke with Robert Martin MNZM to […]
Read More →November Tūrangawaewae Newsletter
Source: Human Rights Commission Welcome to the latest Human Rights Commission newsletter Tūrangawaewae – a summary of recent developments on the New Zealand human rights landscape, and the work the Commission is doing for a better, fairer New Zealand. This issue covers why we need to create an education system that is inclusive of everyone, […]
Read More →Human Rights Commission calls for new body to ensure pay transparency
Source: Human Rights Commission The Human Rights Commission is calling for a new independent body to be set up to ensure transparency in reporting about pay equity. The Commission outlined the reasons for the new body in its submission to the Education and Workforce Committee on the Equal Pay Amendment Bill . Equal Employment Opportunities […]
Read More →Suffrage 125 Anniversary
Source: Human Rights Commission New Zealand celebrates 125 years of women’s suffrage The 19th of September 2018 marked 125 years since the law changed in Aotearoa New Zealand so that all people, including women could vote. The law change came about after a determined campaign over a number of years by a group of women led […]
Read More →Human Rights Commission welcomes Royal Commission into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-Based Institutions
Source: Human Rights Commission Human Rights Commission welcomes Royal Commission into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-Based Institutions November 13, 2018 The Human Rights Commission welcomes the Prime Minister’s commitment to fulfilling the expectations of those who called for this inquiry into abuse in care. We also acknowledge the expertise […]
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