INDEPENDENT NEWS

Green Party Supports Call To End Youth Detention In Police Cells

Published: Mon 21 Jun 2021 11:51 AM
The Green Party strongly supports the call by the Children’s Commissioner to repeal the law allowing youth to be held in police cells.
Green Party spokesperson for Justice Golriz Ghahraman says children and young people do not belong in police cells alongside adults.
“These are some of our most vulnerable children and young people and we must do everything we can to ensure they are treated care and dignity when interacting with the justice system,” says Ghahraman.
“We know that holding children in detention with adults absolutely does cause long-term harm, in the case of the children held just over the past year, this has included five cases of self-harm whilst in custody. That does not reflect a rights-based justice system, focused on rehabilitation.
“Holding children and young people in police cells is one of our most pervasive human rights breaches in Aotearoa New Zealand, and it is clearly harming our children.
“We strongly support the call by the Children’s Commissioner to urgently repeal this law, and move to the use of safe, community-based homes for those children and young people who need it.
“Children and young people who come into contact with our justice system are likely to have experienced trauma, mental health issues, or have neurodevelopmental challenges – our system has failed them at multiple levels and we should not be harming them further.”

Next in New Zealand politics

Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
By: New Zealand Government
GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan
By: New Zealand Government
New Zealand Provides Further Humanitarian Support To Gaza And The West Bank
By: New Zealand Government
High Court Judge Appointed
By: New Zealand Government
Parliamentary Network Breached By The PRC
By: New Zealand Government
Tax Cuts Now Even More Irresponsible
By: New Zealand Labour Party
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media