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 →Australia: Medivac Bill a welcome step towards humanity for refugees
Source: Amnesty International NZ In response to the Medivac Bill passing the senate and the Prime Minister’s announcement that Christmas Island will be reopening Amnesty International Australia Refugee Coordinator Graham Thom said: “The passing of the Medivac Bill is a welcome step towards humanity for the refugees on Manus and Nauru. It is reassuring that […]
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 →Amnesty International Israel: Government Ministers incite with “anti-semitism” to silence war-crime allegations towards Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
Source: Amnesty International NZ Since the publication of the new Amnesty International report “Destination: Occupation” last night, ministers in the Israeli government are attacking the Amnesty International movement as “anti-Semitic”. This is wild incitement based on lies, deception and misrepresentations that are easy to debunk, with the purpose of derailing public debate from the real […]
Read More →Israel/OPT: Tourism companies driving settlement expansion, profiting from war crimes
Source: Amnesty International NZ Online booking giants Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia and TripAdvisor are fuelling human rights violations against Palestinians by listing hundreds of rooms and activities in Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land, including East Jerusalem, Amnesty International said today. In a new report, “Destination: Occupation”, the organisation documents how online booking companies are driving […]
Read More →Time for US, Australia to change policy on West Papua or risk major setback
By Ben Bohane Reports of the Indonesian military using white phosphorous munitions on West Papuan civilians last month are only the latest horror in a decades-old jungle war forgotten by the world. But new geopolitical maneuvering may soon change the balance of power here, prompting regional concern about an intensifying battle for this rich remote […]
Read More →Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: Extreme inequality a test for the new Government
Political Roundup: Extreme inequality a test for the new Government by Dr Bryce Edwards. Jacinda Ardern has just arrived in Davos for the World Economic Forum, where she is promoting her Government’s “economics of kindness” approach to other world leaders and elites. Her message is in line with the fact that her Labour-led administration was […]
Read More →Kazakhstan
Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Safe Travel Reviewed: 22 January 2019, 14:45 NZDT Still current at: 22 January 2019 Exercise increased caution in Kazakhstan due to terrorism and violent crime. TerrorismThere is an underlying threat of terrorism in Kazakhstan. On 18 July 2016, a gunman in Almaty killed three policemen […]
Read More →Bangsamoro Islamic troops choose peace via historic Philippines vote
By Sofia Tomacruz in Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao Battle-scarred they might be, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have faced their toughest campaign yet. Armed with nothing but a first-time vote, young troops from the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces prayed they would win the decades-old struggle for autonomy and independence through yesterday’s ballot. More than 150,000 former […]
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 →Consider youself one of us
Column: Barbara Sumner – As a child, my family saw the musical Oliver. For days after, my adopting mother hummed and sang the theme tune: Consider yourself one of usConsider yourself at homeConsider yourself one of the family ….etc etc The song is a bit of an earworm. I’d forgotten it and the memory until […]
Read More →Panama: World Youth Day 2019
Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Safe Travel Panama: World Youth Day 2019 Between 22 and 27 January 2019, World Youth Day (a youth event organised by the Roman Catholic Church) will take place in Panama. Before you goIf you’re a New Zealander planning on attending World Youth Day, we encourage […]
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 →Fiji: Tropical Cyclone Mona
Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Safe Travel Fiji: Tropical Cyclone Mona Tropical Cyclone Mona is currently tracking towards Fiji, and is forecast to make landfall on the main islands as a Category 1 or 2 cyclone around Sunday morning (local time). Tropical Cyclone Mona may bring heavy rain and strong […]
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 →Fiji warns ‘selfish’ countries amid Paris Agreement climate rulebook deadlock
Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama … urging world leaders to summon the courage and political will to make the switch from dirty to clean energy. Image: Fiji Times Pacific Media Centre Newsdesk Talks to draft the Paris Agreement rulebook remained deadlocked today on traditionally tough issues. Emerging economies – China, India, Brazil and South Africa […]
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