HUMAN RIGHTS IN NEW ZEALAND 20 1 0 In the past six years, the NZDAP has grown to approxi- Assessments of New Zealand today in other chapters of mately 250 organisations – with 661 registered projects in this report – including those on human rights and the 2009 – taking practical initiatives to: Treaty of Waitangi; the rights of migrants; the right to • recognise and celebrate the cultural diversity of our society asylum; the right to freedom of opinion and expression; and the right to freedom of religion and belief – should be read in conjunction with this section. • promote the equal enjoyment of everyone’s civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, regardless Compliance with international of race, colour, ethnicity or national origin standards • foster harmonious relations between diverse peoples. Networks have been established for people interested in religious diversity, language policy, media and refugee issues. Through the networks, the Commission has developed a Statement on Religious Diversity (2007), 14 a Statement on Language Policy (2008) 15 and a Statement on Race Relations (2008). 16 New Zealand ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in 1972. It has not made the declaration provided for in Article 14, which enables individuals to complain directly to the UN Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). It has, however, activated the parallel ICCPR procedure, which also provides for individual complaints about racial discrimination. In response to the Universal Organisations can register any programme or project that Periodic Review of New Zealand by the UN Human Rights contributes to a diverse, equal and harmonious Aotearoa Council in 2009, the Government indicated that it would New Zealand. Registered projects include: consider adopting the Article 14 procedure. • organisation of and participation in diversity events New Zealand generally complies with and exceeds inter- • promotion of diversity in the workplace and catering national standards in terms of its legislation and policies for the diverse needs of clients and customers • development of policies and programmes for diversity, equality and harmony • assisting with the settlement of new migrants and refugees • educational programmes, research and publications • workshops, conferences and forums on diversity, human rights and harmonious relations • intercultural and interfaith dialogue and co-operation. New Zealand today Aotearoa i tënei rä This section examines New Zealand’s compliance with international standards, and explores race relations in on race relations. CERD assessments of New Zealand have generally been positive, while identifying areas for further attention. In its most recent report in 2007, the committee welcomed: • the importance given to the principle of self-identification when gathering data on the ethnic composition of the population • the adoption of the 2004 New Zealand Settlement Strategy and the Settlement National Plan of Action • the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme • the reduction of socio-economic disparities between Mäori and Pacific peoples on the one hand, and the rest of the population on the other hand in particular in the areas of employment and education • the significant increase in the number of adults, three key areas: discrimination and harassment; safety; including non-Mäori, who can understand, speak, read and recognition and support for cultural diversity. and write the Mäori language 14 Statement on Religious Diversity, accessible online at http://www.hrc.co.nz/hrc_new/hrc/cms/files/documents/27-Aug-2009_09-44-53_ Religious_Diversity_09_Web.pdf 15 Statement on Language Policy, accessible online at http://www.hrc.co.nz/hrc_new/hrc/cms/files/documents/21-May-2009_15-42-34_ Statementonlanguagepolicy.html 16 Statement on Race Relations, accessible online at http://www.hrc.co.nz/hrc_new/hrc/cms/files/documents/21-May-2009_14-36-48_ Statement_on_Race_Relations.html 63