Human Rights

New Zealand is strongly committed to the protection and promotion of international human rights, as embodied in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and in the seven core human rights treaties.

New Zealand seeks to defend and advance international human rights in multilateral human rights fora, focussing on the meetings of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva and in the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and negotiations of new international human rights instruments.

New Zealand also focuses on the promotion of human rights in our region and in countries with which we have bilateral relationships, through exchanging views about human rights and providing practical assistance.

• More on New Zealand and Human Rights

 

Human Rights Day 2009

Non discrimination was the main theme of Human Rights Day 2009, which was commemorated on 10 December.

• Human Rights Day 2009 - [UN website]
• About Discrimination - Human Rights Day feature - [UN website]

The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon made a statement to commemorate the day.

• United Nations Secretary General Statement - [UN website]

New Zealand is strongly committed to the protection and promotion of international human rights, as embodied in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and in the seven core human rights treaties. Further information on human rights can be found on the following UN websites and also in this section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's website.

• United Nations Human Rights webpage - [external site]
• The Dag Hammarskjold Library marks Human Rights Day - [UN website]

 

Adoption of a United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution on Preventable Maternal Mortality and Morbidity and Human Rights

On 17 June 2009, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on preventable maternal mortality and morbidity and human rights. New Zealand worked in partnership with Colombia to lead the negotiations. More information on the resolution is below:

• Adoption of a United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution on Preventable Maternal Mortality and Morbidity and Human Rights

 

United Nations Review of New Zealand’s Human Rights

On Thursday 7 May 2009, the UN Human Rights Council reviewed New Zealand’s human rights situation under the Council’s new process – the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

More information on New Zealand’s UPR review is below:

• New Zealand’s National Human Rights Report
• New Zealand’s Human Rights Review

 

Latest Human Rights Statements by New Zealand Representatives and on behalf of New Zealand

• Human Rights Council: 14th session: Women's Human Rights and the Right to Education: Statement by New Zealand on behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand, 7 June 2010
• Ninth session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Statement by Hon Dr Pita Sharples, Minister of Maori Affairs, 19 April 2010
• 54th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. Statement by Hon Pansy Wong, Minister of Women's Affairs, New York, 1 March 2010
• UNGA 64: Third Committee: Report of the Human Rights Council: Statement by NZ Permanent Representative, HE Mr Jim McLay, 30 Oct 2009
• UNGA 64: Third Committee: Human Rights Questions: Statement by NZ Permanent Representative, HE Mr Jim McLay, 27 Oct 2009
• UNGA 64: Third Committee: Human Rights Instruments: The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Statement by Ms Nicola Hill, Representative of New Zealand on behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand, 20 October 2009
• UNGA 64: Third Committee: Rights of the Child: Statement by Karina Boutin, Permanent Mission of Canada to the UN, on behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand, 15 October 2009
• UNGA 64: Third Committee: Advancement of Women: Statement by Helen Horsington, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Australia to the UN, on behalf of Canada, Australia and NZ, 13 October 2009
• Statement by NZ Permanent Representative, HE Mr Jim McLay at the 2nd session of the Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2 September 2009
• Human Rights Council: 11th Session: Statement on introduction of Resolution on maternal mortality and morbidity and human rights on behalf of New Zealand and Colombia, 17 June 2009
• Resolution on maternal mortality and morbidity and human rights as adopted by the Human Rights Council, 17 June 2009 (PDF 27KB)
• UN Human Rights Council: 11th Session: Item 3 Interactive Dialogue: Reports of the Special Rapporteurs on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers and Freedom of Expression: Statement on Fiji, 2 June 2009
• Human Rights Council: Special Session on Sri Lanka: New Zealand Statement, 29 May 2009
• Human Rights Council (10th session): General Debate: Joint Statement - Maternal Mortality, 16 March 2009
• 53rd Commission on the Status of Women: Statement by Shenagh Gleisher, Chief Executive, Ministry of Women's Affairs, 5 March 2009
  

top of page