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New Review Shows the Law is Failing to Stop Exploitation And Human Trafficking in New Zealand

A review of New Zealand’s laws relating to human trafficking, slavery and labour exploitation shows there are serious gaps in our laws that have made it difficult for New Zealand agencies to prosecute those who exploit workers in NZ Justice Acts New Zealand carried out a review of the laws in this country and were astonished to find that government agencies have undertaken investigations into exploitation of workers in New Zealand, but no investigations have reached Court in the past four years.

This new report outlines cases of trafficking and exploitation since the early 2000’s and says more should be done to protect victims of trafficking and modern-day slavery in New Zealand. It appears that most victims are sent home, while the offenders are not sufficiently punished.

As well as highlighting the failures, “Protecting the Vulnerable” comprehensively and systematically works through all possible avenues for a legal remedy for victims of trafficking or slavery in New Zealand.

NZ has been heavily criticised for its inaction in this year’s Trafficking in Person’s report as well as by the United Nations Human Rights Council. This new report from Justice Acts New Zealand agrees that New Zealand’s laws are inconsistent with New Zealand’s international obligations and outlines what needs to be done.

Justice Acts New Zealand calls for changes to the Crimes Act (in the Organised Crime Bill), a national review of the Prostitution Reform Act, and the temporary permit policy to be extended for exploited migrants to allow them to find new work in New Zealand. Justice Acts New Zealand also recommends that the Government does what it has promised the international community – conduct empirical research in New Zealand, co-operate with civil society organizations and look at ways to provide victim support to those enslaved and exploited in New Zealand.

BACKGROUND

Justice Acts NZ was founded in 2011 and is committed to empowering kiwis to combat modern-day slavery, human trafficking and labour exploitation in New Zealand.

It’s spokesperson and media contact; Steph Lambert is available to provide further details and is available for interview.

Justice Acts New Zealand may also be able to assist with contacts for lawyers who acted for some of those affected. However as you can understand it is vital to protect the identities of those who have been victims of exploitation and modernday slavery.

Attached is the report, as well as links to the US State Department Report and the United Nations Report on human rights.

UN report: A_HRC_26_3_New_Zealand_E_iDrits.pdf

State Dept report: Trafficking in Persons Report 2014

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