Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Human Rights Commission to monitor Cyberbullying Law

Human Rights Commission to monitor Cyberbullying Law

The Human Rights Commission welcomes new laws to address cyber-bullying and supports a review in a year’s time to check whether the objectives of the legislation are being met.


“The Harmful Digital Communications Act aims to strike the right balance between freedom of expression and our need as a community to challenge our bullying culture and protect people who are under attack.” said Chief Human Rights Commissioner David Rutherford. “We support ongoing monitoring of the processes that are being introduced and a review of the Act in a years time to determine if its objectives are being met. The Commission has decades of experience balancing various freedoms and rights, particularly freedom of speech. There will always be some difficulty applying legal rules that require subjective interpretation but I am hopeful that the new processes that are being introduced will be applied in a sensible and pragmatic manner that strikes the correct balance between the competing rights and freedoms.”


He said Kiwis need to be open about New Zealand’s bullying culture if we are to ever challenge and change it.

“Replacing New Zealand’s bullying culture with a culture that says it Not OK to bully and intimidate other people will not happen overnight but this is an important step,” said Mr Rutherford.

“All New Zealanders need to buy into changing our culture of violence: but it won’t happen unless all of us buy into it.”

“Bullying isn’t just happening on the sidelines of sports games or in classrooms: it’s 2015 we need to address the bullies who torment and bully others on social media platforms and this law change is a good start.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

The Harmful Digital Communications Act introduces a range of measures to address damaging online communications and ensure perpetrators are held account for their actions.

“Kiwis need to understand that it is a basic human right to be free from bullying, violence and harassment. All of us, particularly our children, have a right to be safe. Bullying is a major human rights issue and one we need to talk about, address and challenge,” said Mr Rutherford.

“Balancing the rights to freedom of expression with the need to protect people – particularly vulnerable young people – is never easy but it is imperative if we are to strengthen the human rights of all New Zealanders.

ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.