United Nations report on racial discrimination

Overview

This consultation was open from 25 August to 28 September 2015.

Why are we consulting?

A draft report on New Zealand’s performance under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination has been released for public comment.

New Zealand is one of 177 countries that are a party to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The Convention commits State Parties to the elimination of racial discrimination, affirms the necessity to adopting national measures to secure the effective recognition and observance of the principles set out in the human rights treaty.

Each country provides regular reports to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which reviews countries’ compliance with the Convention.

The Ministry of Justice drafted the report in consultation with agencies on their respective areas of responsibility.

The report takes a direct approach in explaining issues New Zealand is facing and what is being done to address these issues.

The draft report responds to specific issues raised by the Committee following the review of the previous report submitted in 2012, and outlines significant developments in recent years related to the elimination of racial discrimination in New Zealand.

How can you make a contribution?

The deadline for submissions was 28 September 2015.

Public meetings

Public meetings were held in:

• Auckland on 14 September 2015 at the Human Rights Commission (Level 3, 21 Queen Street, Auckland) from 5 pm.
• Wellington on 17 September 2015 at the Human Rights Commission (Vector Building, Level 8, 44-52 The Terrace, Wellington 6144) from 5.30 pm.
   

Confidentiality

The content of any submissions will be subject to the provisions of the Official Information Act 1982 and the Privacy Act 1993. If the Ministry of Justice receives a request for information contained in a submission, it will be required to consider releasing that submission, in whole or in part, in accordance with the terms of those Acts.

If you make a written submission, please advise us if you have any objections to the release of any information contained in your submission, and if you do object, the parts of your submission you would wish withheld along with the grounds. This may include a request to withhold your name. Your views will be taken into account in making any decision whether to withhold or release any information requested.

More information

If you have any questions about this review or the public consultation process, email humanrights@justice.govt.nz.