AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PRESS RELEASE
16 June 2014

Amnesty International adds support to campaign to put children’s rights at top of election agenda

Amnesty International will join more than 30 organisations tomorrow to launch Tick for Kids - a campaign that aims to put children’s rights at the top of the New Zealand election agenda.

The human rights organisation recognises that there is a failure to comprehensively address inequality and child poverty in New Zealand, and is therefore joining the campaign to call for human rights to be central to politicians’ election conversations.

Tick for Kids will launch at Grey Lynn School in Auckland on Tuesday 17 June at 11.30am, with Grey Lynn children quizzing politicians on what they will do for children’s rights this election.

“Human rights must be a central part of the New Zealand election and in particular in any proposals that have an impact on children,” said Amanda Brydon, Advocacy Manager at Amnesty International.

“Tick for Kids will be working to ensure politicians prioritise children’s rights so that the new parliament can make progress on some of the urgent issues facing children and their families, and Amnesty International is proud to be a part of that.”

With issues such as child poverty, housing and inequality set to be central to election discussions, it is imperative that children’s rights are a central focus.

“By failing to address such issues with a human rights approach, our politicians are missing out on a key opportunity to provide holistic and effective solutions for New Zealand children,” said Amanda Brydon.

“With the slogan “it takes a child to raise a country” Tick for Kids is a coalition focused on New Zealand’s future and the well being of its children. For Amnesty International, this future is dependent on parties across the political spectrum putting human rights first.”

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