New Zealand Human Rights Commission Submission to the CAT in relation to NZ’s 6th periodic review 46. The Commission recommends that: a) the requirement set out in section 7.60 of the Cabinet Manual be more explicit in requiring identification of implications in relation to international human rights commitments and extended to apply to all policy and legislation (both primary and secondary); and b) Ministers and officials be directed to strictly adhere to current and extended Cabinet Manual requirements. Human Rights Select Committee 47. Many NGOs and civil society organisations have stated that they want to see a dedicated Human Rights Select Committee established that would scrutinise legislation and section 7 vets, and conduct thematic inquiries and issues reports. This has been raised by some submitters in relation to this review. 48. In 2014 the Standing Orders Committee considered whether it was appropriate in the New Zealand situation to establish a Human Rights Select Committee. It concluded that it was not, stating:22 It could be difficult to maintain the membership of such a committee, and in principle, this proposal could potentially marginalize important matters that already seem to be too confined to legal and academic circles. …However, there is another part to the equation: as well as drawing the attention of members to Bill of Rights matters, there should be an increased emphasis on expressing these issues in ways that are comprehensible, not only for member, but for the public in general. The answer is not to shut NZBORA matters away in a specialist committee, as that could in fact be counter-productive. New Zealand has a well-regarded system of subject select committees that have multiple functions and exercise general oversight of policy, legislative, and 22 Standing Orders Committee, Review of Standing Orders (July 2014) at 15. 18