Human Rights Commission
Media release
27 October, 2009

Broader human rights complaints on the rise

More than half the complaints coming to the Human Rights Commission from New Zealanders seeking help and advice are now about broader human rights issues.

The Commission’s 2009 annual report reveals that of the 3489 complaints, 1405 were about potential unlawful discrimination. The balance of 2084 complaints involved broader human rights issues, such as the rights of seasonal workers and the right to education for children.

Of the unlawful discrimination complaints, Chief Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan noted the area of employment and pre-employment continued to be the most prominent source of complaints, accounting for 43 per cent of approaches. Ms Noonan said the continuing high numbers showed the impact of the economic recession on everyday New Zealanders.

The 2009 annual report identifies many areas of progress in the country’s human rights record. These included policies to reduce violence against young people and to reduce poverty. There was greater respect for the use of te reo and some innovative migrant settlement initiatives.

Ms Noonan welcomed some improvements in the socio-economic indicators for Māori and Pacific peoples, a renewed school curriculum and better recognition of the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. The annual report acknowledged how human rights had been incorporated into New Zealand aid programmes.

The 2009 annual report records the Commission’s 13 recommendations to the Government for immediate action. The major recommendations are:

• more systematic introduction of international human rights obligations, including economic, social and cultural rights, into domestic law, policy and practice
• action on all forms of unlawful discrimination and socio-economic disparities
• review constitutional arrangements to give greater effect to human rights protections and the Treaty of Waitangi
• reduce the prison population and the disproportionate number of Māori in prison
• reduce violence and strengthen victims’ rights
• develop a national plan to combat poverty, with a focus on children, disabled people, Māori and Pacific peoples
• commit fully to the right to education
• implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• support for the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

To download a copy of the annual report, click here:2009 Annual report

ENDS

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