For the 2016/17 – 2019/20 SOI and SPE the Commission updated its
Strategic Framework to better link the Commission’s overarching vision,
through the outcomes and impacts sought, with the outputs that are
being funded. This new structure provides a clear reportable framework
that forms the basis for the Commission’s ongoing work programme in
both the short- and long-term.
In addition to the impacts outlined in the foreword, the following section
provides a summary of some of the impacts and contributions made by
the Commission in 2015/16. The progress made against the identified
standards and performance measures under each of the Commission’s four
output areas as outlined in the Statement of Performance Expectations
(SPE) 2015/16 – 2018/1, are described in detail in the Statement of
Performance section of this report.
Impacts
More people in New Zealand know and practise their rights
and fulfil their responsibility to respect the human dignity and
rights of others.
eople and organisations that have legal obligations to respect
P
and protect human dignity and rights do so
Better remedies for breaches of human dignity and rights
The Commission received 5336 enquiries and complaints about human
rights matters in 2015/16 (5236 in 2014/15). Of these, 1274 were
complaints of alleged unlawful discrimination under the Human
Rights Act.
A total of 68 percent of all enquiries and complaints (3618 compared
to 3341 last year) requested the Commission’s help in resolving their
complaint or dispute. In addition, 23 percent (1220 compared to 1442
last year) sought the Commission’s advice about human rights obligations,
data for research, legal advice and assistance with human rights training.
Six percent (302) registered concern about a current human rights issue
and there were 196 enquiries about the Commission’s publications. Most
of the enquiries and complaints related to employment and Government
activity, with disability the most frequent reason for contacting the
Commission.
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Human Rights Commission