Bad Omen for Genuine Human Rights
Friday 30 Aug 2002 Stephen Franks Press Releases -- Governance & Constitution
The appointment of Joris de Bres as Race Relations Commissioner is a bad omen for genuine human rights in New Zealand,
ACT Justice Spokesman Stephen Franks said today.
"Mr de Bres has a long background of left-wing union activism. This school of thought thinks of interest groups first
and New Zealanders second.
"The human rights movement was once about removing discrimination. Mr de Bres's background suggests he will be more
interested in creating distinctions and fostering consciousness of differences.
Even if Mr de Bres does turn out to truly respect freedom, he is now one of over eighty political commissioners running
around New Zealand ordering us all to be correct. I know of no evidence that race relations have been improved by the
powers of these commissars. In fact, they could have been made worse," Mr Franks said.
For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at
act@parliament.govt.nz.