Newsletter: Free speech, workplace family violence, the UN committee on women’s rights, Equality at Work in 2018
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 the current free speech debate in New Zealand, the Commission’s family violence policy […]
Read More →Birth certificate changes welcomed by takatāpui, trans and non-binary people
Source: Human Rights Commission The Human Rights commission is delighted that the Governance Administration Committee has recommended a human rights approach in simplifying the process to update sex details on birth certificates. By recommending a similar process to updating a passport or driver’s license, the Select Committee is bringing New Zealand in line with international […]
Read More →Indigenous Peoples’ Day time for recommitted efforts
Source: Human Rights Commission Today, August 9, is Indigenous Peoples’ Day in many countries around the world and it is a chance to celebrate the diversity and achievements of Indigenous peoples and to commit to ensuring that their rights are protected. In New Zealand, the day is a timely reminder of the need for continued […]
Read More →Shortland Street episode highlights need for balanced Down syndrome information
Source: Human Rights Commission Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero says the current storyline on New Zealand drama Shortland Street emphasises the need for balanced information about Down syndrome. “It is concerning that the initial suggestion raised by a person playing a medical professional on the show at the possibility of having a child with Down […]
Read More →New domestic violence law will help victims
Source: Human Rights Commission The Human Rights Commission welcomed the final reading of the Domestic Violence Victims Protection Bill which will come into force early next year. According to consultation recently carried out by the Human Rights Commission with a range of women’s organisations, gender-based violence against women and children is their number one human […]
Read More →UN women’s rights committee calls for new strategy on violence against women and a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Family Court
Source: Human Rights Commission The United Nations committee on women’s rights has today backed a call for New Zealand to adopt a cross-party and long-term strategy to combat gender-based violence against women. The call for a strategy to combat gender-based violence was made by the Human Rights Commission and NGOs to the United Nation’s Committee […]
Read More →Jackie’s CEDAW speech – NHRI meeting 9 July 2018
Source: Human Rights Commission E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e rau rangatira mā, Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa (To all authorities, all voices, to the many leaders gathered here, greetings, greetings, greetings). It is an honour and a privilege to be here today representing the New Zealand Human Rights Commission in my […]
Read More →New Zealand examined by the UN’s CEDAW Committee
Source: Human Rights Commission By Jackie Blue, Equal Employment Oppurtunities Commissioner. Next week the New Zealand Government will by examined by the UN’s CEDAW Committee (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women), to assess how well the human rights of women and girls are being upheld in our country. I will […]
Read More →Equality at work is improving but at a glacial pace
Source: Human Rights Commission Women continue to feature in the negative labour market indicators according to a new report from the Human Rights Commission. Groups that are particularly marginalised include young Māori and Pasifika women and young Pasifika men. The bi-annual Tracking Equality at Work report and web-based interactive tool released today by the Human […]
Read More →Employers offered family violence model policy
Source: Human Rights Commission The Human Rights Commission congratulates a group of pioneering employers who have published a model workplace policy on family violence and encourages other firms to take it up. “Employers know that family violence is a human rights issue that affects productivity and safety in the workplace,” says Equal Opportunities Commissioner Dr […]
Read More →Honouring our refugees
Source: Human Rights Commission REFUGEES who have resettled in New Zealand should be acknowledged as some of the bravest, kindest and most resilient people amongst us, Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy says. Today is World Refugee Day, which honours refugees’ strength and courage, and encourages awareness of and support for those who have had […]
Read More →WHO moves on trans classification welcomed
Source: Human Rights Commission An international health agency’s removal of transgender identities from its list of mental disorders should be reflected in legislation currently before the NZ Parliament, the Human Rights Commission (HRC) says. Yesterday the World Health Organization (WHO) published online the latest version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), which places all […]
Read More →The importance of changing attitudes about disability
Source: Human Rights Commission My name is Paula Tesoriero. I am the NZ Disability Rights Commissioner, responsible for protecting and promoting the human rights of disabled New Zealanders. Various international reports conclude that people with disabilities face worse outcomes than others: we generally have poorer health, lower education achievements, fewer economic opportunities and higher rates […]
Read More →Human Rights Commission supports review – Chief Commissioner David Rutherford
Source: Human Rights Commission – Press Release/Statement: Headline: Human Rights Commission supports review – Chief Commissioner David Rutherford Human Rights Commission supports review – Chief Commissioner David Rutherford February 22, 2018 The Human Rights Commission supports the announcement from Minister of Justice Andrew Little for a review regarding internal sexual harassment claims. The review will […]
Read More →Move to deliver pay equity for mental health workers positive, says Commission
Source: Human Rights Commission – Press Release/Statement: Headline: Move to deliver pay equity for mental health workers positive, says Commission Move to deliver pay equity for mental health workers positive, says Commission February 14, 2018 The Government’s announcement that they will enter pay equity talks with unions representing mental health support workers is a positive […]
Read More →Human Rights Commission welcomes Court of Appeal decision overturning care ruling
Source: Human Rights Commission – Press Release/Statement: Headline: Human Rights Commission welcomes Court of Appeal decision overturning care ruling The Human Rights Commission welcomes the decision by the Court of Appeal to overturn the Ministry of Health’s ruling about how much a mother received for caring for her son full-time. Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero […]
Read More →Human Rights Commission welcomes Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care: “An important moment in the history of human rights”
Source: Human Rights Commission – Press Release/Statement: Headline: Human Rights Commission welcomes Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care: “An important moment in the history of human rights” Human Rights Commission welcomes Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care: “An important moment in the history of human rights” February […]
Read More →New Zealand Holocaust survivors inspire award winning Anti-Racism Campaign
Source: Human Rights Commission – Press Release/Statement: Headline: New Zealand Holocaust survivors inspire award winning Anti-Racism Campaign New Zealanders who survived the Holocaust have helped inspire the Human Rights Commission’s anti-racism campaigns. Tomorrow marks UN Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 73rd anniversary of the liberation of the German Concentration and Extermination camp, Auschwitz. In New […]
Read More →ANZ supports Human Rights Commission campaign to Give Nothing to Racism
Source: Human Rights Commission – Press Release/Statement: Headline: ANZ supports Human Rights Commission campaign to Give Nothing to Racism ANZ is taking a stand against racism in New Zealand by being the first business to join the Human Rights Commission’s ‘Give Nothing To Racism’ campaign. The campaign encourages people to address small acts of racism […]
Read More →Attitudes towards students with disabilities must change, Commission says
Source: Human Rights Commission – Press Release/Statement: Headline: Attitudes towards students with disabilities must change, Commission says The recent case of an autistic boy having to move schools due to bullying is a clear indication that more has to be done to change attitudes towards children with disabilities and address bullying in schools, says the […]
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