report made three recommendations aimed at supporting survivors and the affected whanau.42 A March 2021 Commission report drawing on engagement with the affected community, noted the RCOI report does not completely address the human rights duties of the government to the affected whanau and survivors regarding their rights to remedy and called for further support.43 Recommendations: (a) Provide information on measures being taken to change social and cultural patterns which perpetuate discrimination against women and girls, including those from minority ethnic communities. (b) Provide information on measures being taken to address the specific needs of female victims of terrorism, in accordance with the Government’s duty to provide a remedy to those who have suffered serious violations of their human rights. (c) Provide information on measures being taken to prevent and address the direct and indirect impacts of violent extremism and terrorism on women and girls, including online. Human trafficking and exploitation (Article 6) Trafficking, modern slavery and exploitation 22. In March 2021 the Government released a Plan of Action against Forced Labour, People Trafficking and Modern Slavery.44 At the time of writing, the Government is consulting publicly on a legislative response to modern slavery and worker exploitation, including people trafficking.45 Currently few businesses report on these practices and the prevalence is largely invisible to the state.46 Research suggests that women and particular ethnic communities are disproportionally affected.47 Recommendations: a) What steps has the government taken to establish modern slavery legislation, that requires all entities, to conduct human rights due diligence. b) What steps has the government taken to adopt and implement the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. c) Provide information on mechanisms to ensure the protection of women and girls in supply chain operations, whether as paid or unpaid workers. d) Provide information on support mechanisms for women and girls who are survivors of modern slavery. 42 43 44 45 46 47 See recommendations 25 to 27 in The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch masjidain on 15 March 2019 “Ko tō tatou kāinga Tēnei” (December 2020) at https://christchurchattack.royalcommission.nz/thereport/. The Commission “Reflections on the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attacks on Christchurch Masjidain on 15 March 2019” (March 2021) https://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/2103/HRC_Reflections_on_the_report_of_the_RCI_on_terrorist_attacks_on_Christc hurch_Masjidain_FINAL.pdf. Hon Michael Wood “Action Plan to tackle modern forms of slavery released” (16 March 2021) https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/action-plan-tackle-modern-forms-slavery-released. The Commission is part of the Government’s advisory group for this work. While some large companies report to overseas jurisdictions regarding modern slavery, most New Zealand companies do not undertake any reporting because they do not trade overseas or because they fall below the size of an entity required to report. International Labour Organization (ILO) “Global estimates of modern slavery: forced labour and forced marriage“ (2017); ILO “Seasonal worker schemes in the Pacific through the lens of international human rights and labour standards” (December 2021). This is especially the case among small communities that include peoples from the Pacific and Asia, who are more likely to experience poverty, strong cultural obligations, fear of safety and deportation, debt burdens, and lack of affordable access to justice. Fear of repercussions including deportation and loss of income are high for victims, so calling for help is not a simple matter of choice. 9