Tanczos Welcomes Rejection Of Discriminatory Sticker Scheme

Green Party Youth Affairs Spokesperson Nandor Tanczos said he welcomed the finding from the Human Rights Commission today that the Under 25 'Yellow Sticker' scheme discriminates on the grounds of age.

The Human Rights Commission also said the scheme could breach Section 19 of the Bill of Rights Act and that the scheme would also breach the Human Rights Act if it were not for an exemption in the Act for all Government agencies, including the police, which expires in one year.

"I have been very concerned about this scheme since its introduction in Christchurch earlier this year and I congratulate all the people who have fought against it whose efforts have seen it rejected today," said Mr Tanczos.

"This scheme was quite simply a shocker. It was designed to protect people's property through blatent discrimination against young people. It perpetuated negative stereotypes, divided the community and meant that young people who are unable to use the sticker were more likely to be victims of crime."

Mr Tanczos said he was particularly concerned with comments from the Labour MP Clayton Cosgrove today, vigorously criticising police for rejecting the scheme.

"My challenge to the people like Mr Cosgrove who supported this scheme is to take this scheme to its logical conclusions. Would these people be prepared to support similar schemes if instead of age, race was the issue?" he asked.

"I really welcome the comments from the Human Rights Commission today as it shows how out of touch people like Mr Cosgrove actually are with young people and human rights. This scheme is discriminatory and it is out of synch with New Zealand's human rights laws."

Mr Tanczos also congratulated the police for finally recognising the scheme for what it was and exercising better judgement than some politicians.

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