Action Alert - Proposed Amendment to the Human Rights Act

Peace Movement Aotearoa

Kia ora,
As you may be aware, Doug Graham’s office is in the process of drafting legislation which will implement the Cabinet decisions of last October which include :

• a provision that the Human Rights Act will not override other legislation and regulations approved by parliament;
• the winding up of the Consistency 2000 project (C2000 was to ensure all government policy and practise was in line with the Act by the year 2000);
• the introduction of specific exemptions in areas relating to social welfare and the defence forces.

We have a simple form letter from the International Relations and Peace Standing Committee (NCW) which you can use NOW to register your opposition to this proposed legislation. Suggested text follows ...

I object strongly to the NZ government passing a bill that :

• will exempt the government in any way from the Human Rights Act;
• gives the government a permanent power to over-ride the Human Rights Act by means of regulations;
• abolishes the Consistency 2000 project;
• abolishes the right for people discriminated against by unlawful conduct to claim damages in respect of the Human Rights Act;
• means the government will be able to develop alternative compliance procedures for policy development in relation to policy consistency with the Human Rights Act.