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.