Abortion Law Reform Association Of New Zealand
22 July 2012 For Immediate Release
ALRANZ Urges Government To Heed UN Committee’s Call For Abortion Reform
The Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand (ALRANZ) today welcomed reports that the United Nations Convention on
the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Committee has again called on the New Zealand
government to review its abortion laws.
The Committee is currently reviewing New Zealand’s seventh periodical report and had asked the government to provide
information on steps taken to review the legislation on abortion contained in the Crimes Act of 1961, as recommended by
the Abortion Supervisory Committee (ASC).
When questioned directly by the Committee last week, the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Jo Goodhew, said there was no
“appetite” for reform, and that any attempt to change the law would require a bill passed by Parliament. Since abortion
is a conscience vote, there would be no guarantee the Government could enact such reform.
ALRANZ President, Dr. Morgan Healey said that while she was heartened by the interest the CEDAW Committee had taken in
New Zealand’s antiquated abortion laws, she wasn’t surprised at the government’s response.
“It’s important that pressure from international bodies like CEDAW remains. The Committee has consistently voiced its
concern around the ability of women in this country to access a comprehensive suite of sexual and reproductive health
services, specifically including abortion,” she said. “But so far, neither National nor Labour governments have shown
any interest in addressing those concerns.”
In its submission to the Committee, ALRANZ emphasized exactly the points raised by the CEDAW expert from Switzerland,
Patricia Schulz. Schulz argued during the hearing that abortion law reform was required to bring New Zealand “up to
speed with the country’s standard of human rights”. In its submission, ALRANZ insisted that the current legal framework
for abortion hinders access to the highest standards of health for women.
“In order for New Zealand to fulfill its obligations to CEDAW and ensure women are able to realize their right to
health, abortion law reform is a necessity, “ Healey said today.
“The CEDAW Committee and the ASC both recognize this. The excuse of a lack of political appetite to tackle abortion
should no longer suffice. The women of this country deserve better from their elective representatives, particularly
when 67% of them will never know what it means to be faced with an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy,” she said.
END