Amnesty International
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Human Rights Council adopts Universal Periodic Review outcome on New Zealand: Amnesty International urges the government to enhance respect for Indigenous Rights and recognition of economic, social and cultural rights

Amnesty International welcomes New Zealand’s willingness to “move to support” the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as recommended by many states in the UPR Working Group. A/HRC/12/8/Add.1, paragraph 6.

The organisation calls on the government to announce its clear and unambiguous support of the Declaration and to reflect its provisions in domestic legislation. This will send an important signal to the Maori, iwi and hapu communities in New Zealand, as well as to the international community, of the government’s serious commitment to promoting and protecting Indigenous rights.

Amnesty International also welcomes New Zealand’s acceptance of recommendations to continue the dialogue with Maori regarding the Foreshore and Seabed Act of 2004, to explore ways of mitigating the Act’s discriminatory effects, and to provide compensation to Maori for their loss of land. A/HRC/12/8, paragraph 81, recommendations 58, 59 and 60. The Independent Ministerial Board had earlier recommended that the Act be repealed, and the government must now ensure that new legislation fully protect the human rights of Maori and enshrine the principles of recognition of customary rights, due process, good faith, and compensation.

Amnesty International welcomes New Zealand’s acceptance of the need to ensure that prisoners are treated humanely, including in privatised prisons, A/HRC/12/8/Add.1, paragraph 31 and encourages the government to amend the Corrections Act 2004 to require that conditions in privatised prisons comply with the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.

The organisation reiterates its call on the government to explore options for the early ratification of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and for greater recognition of economic, social and cultural rights in domestic legislation. A/HRC/12/8/Add.1, paragraph 4

Finally, Amnesty International applauds New Zealand’s commitment to the UPR, including the early submission of a detailed response to the recommendations and its commitment to ensure regular consultation with civil society in the follow up.

Background

The 12th session of the UN Human Rights Council yesterday adopted the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of New Zealand. Prior to the adoption of the report of the review Amnesty International delivered the oral statement above.

To see Amnesty International Aotearoa NZ’s Submissions to the UN Universal Periodic Review (November 2008) and on the NZ government’s Draft Report on the Universal Periodic Review (March 2009), please visit http://www.amnesty.org.nz/campaigns/AI_Submissions

ENDS

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