If you haven’t yet seen it, the Human Rights Commission recently released a new human rights, sexual orientation, sex and gender identity resource – Born Free and Equal.
Copies can be ordered from the Commission by emailing resources@hrc.co.nz or can be downloaded from the HRC website here: www.hrc.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/BornFreeEqual_for_Web.pdf
The right to health, to justice, to work, to education, to be free from discrimination: these rights belong to all of us. New Zealand has signed international agreements to uphold these rights, but how well are we actually doing?
The Universal Periodic Review is an important opportunity for individuals, NGOs and civil society organisations to share their experience and views on New Zealand’s realisation of human rights for everyone. What people and communities say can influence future developments. It isn’t just about writing reports. Communities will be consulted on what’s important for them. UPR 13/14 is an opportunity to work with other like minded groups, and to lobby the Government to make voluntary commitments and/or accept recommendations made by the working group following the UPR 13/14 process.
The Commission is offering free workshops to support civil society in UPR 13/14. In addition there will be opportunities to engage in discussions with government officials in April/May and subsequently to comment on the draft New Zealand government report. The Commission would also welcome the opportunity to discuss key issues with community groups and individuals to feed into the UPR 13/14 process.
The workshop dates and times for 2013 are:
Please contact Michael White on michaelw@hrc.co.nz if:
In the meantime for more information on UPR 13/14 and how you can get involved see: http://www.hrc.co.nz/international-human-rights-new/faqs-for-upr-1314
The Commission looks forward to working with you around UPR 13/14 to ensure the full and active engagement of civil society organisations across the country, helping to garner actual positive changes on the ground.
Monitoring Places of Detention: Annual Report 2011
The latest annual report by the five organisations responsible for monitoring places of detention in New Zealand under the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) has been tabled in Parliament and is available on the Human Rights Commission website, at: http://www.hrc.co.nz. Those organisations, the Ombudsmen, Children’s Commissioner, Independent Police Conduct Authority, Inspector of Service Penal Establishments and the Human Rights Commission are known as National Preventive Mechanisms, and designated under the OPCAT to monitor places where people are deprived of liberty.
Hard copies of the report are also available and can be requested by emailing Infoline@hrc.co.nz.
Further information can also be found at: www.hrc.co.nz.
The National Preventive Mechanisms invite members of civil society to meet with them to discuss the monitoring activities, and to seek the views of civil society on key issues regarding the conditions and treatment of people in detention. Please feel free to forward this invitation to interested people/ networks. Dates and venues are as follows:
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Wellington |
Wednesday 2 May | 12.30pm–2.00pm | Human Rights Commission
Level 1, Vector Building 44-52 The Terrace Wellington
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| Christchurch | Wednesday 16 May | 12.00pm–1.30pm | Kilmore Street Training RoomWestpac Business Hub
55 Jack Hinton Drive Addington
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| Auckland | Tuesday 29 May | 11.00am–12.20pm |
Human Rights Commission Level 3, Zurich House 21 Queen Street Auckland Central |
Please RSVP to jessican@hrc.co.nz.
This is a link to the Human Rights Commission’s Wider Journey report.
This paper aims to provide information about accessibility for disabled people and invites feedback on these issues.
The paper focuses on accessibility in three areas: the built environment, access to information and independent voting in Aotearoa.
The Wider Journey is part of the Commission’s work on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the Disability Convention).
The report will help to inform the Government of its responsibilities and will also form part of the Commission’s independent report to the United Nations.
The consultation closes at the end of March 2012 and the Commission would appreciate your feedback on this draft paper.
Please get in touch if you need any further information.
Josie Maskell
The following came out on the Human Rights Commission’s website on Friday 2 December 2011.
The Wider Journey report
People with disabilities continue to face daily challenges in their lives because of the physical environment, in accessing information and in exercising their right to an independent vote. The Commission has produced a draft discussion report, The Wider Journey: The Rights of Disabled People to support and inform all those working towards better accessibility for disabled people through the built environment, access to information and independent voting in Aotearoa.
The Wider Journey is part of the Commission’s work under its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the Disability Convention). The report will help to inform the Government of its obligations and will also form part of the Commission’s independent report to the United Nations.
The report has been produced in a range of accessible formats, and a summary of the report is also available.
The Commission would appreciate your feedback on this draft report. Please complete the online feedback form on our website, call Infoline 0800 496 877 (toll free) or email Infoline@hrc.co.nz. Please respond by Friday 30 March 2012.
