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Human Rights Commission
The New Zealand Action Plan for Human Rights (NZAPHR) mid term review is now available. The HRC website has a feedback option and start of post 2010 process .
In making its UPR submission the Human Rights Commission has singled out Child Poverty as a key issue.
UNICEF- Youth Justice
UNICEF have issued two papers entitled "Young and Accountable". Should NZ lower the age of Criminal Prosecution
A Fair Go For All Children- a report for OCC
This 80 page report is the work of Michael Fletcher and Maire Dwyer. It raises the question of how we determine poverty through the eyes of children, and what options does NZ have if we are serious in addressing this root cause of so much misery.
The media release of OCC is at:
http://www.occ.org.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/5127/CC_ChildPoverty_070808.pdf
It follows on from "Left Behind" recently published by CPAG.
Given the National Party policy statement re DPB we will be interested to see how the debate pre election, and action post election, will assist to reduce this inditement of society where 20% of children are disadvantaged.
Convention onn the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Extract from Speech notes for the celebration of the
Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
24 September 2008
The HRC is delighted to welcome the ratification of the CRPD.
Ratification of this Convention is a truly historic occasion for disabled people everywhere. The more countries that ratify, the more hope for the most disempowered people in the world.
New Zealand has played a significant role in the development of this convention – and I would mention Don McKay in particular here. At the outset the Minister for Disability issues received advice that was less than supportive. Chief Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan and others worked hard to encourage the positive New Zealand contribution which has been made by so many people, government and NGOs.
It was a privilege to be able to travel to New York to participate in negotiations at the UN and to be able to be part of the NZ delegation as well as to work with other National Human Rights Institutions, the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions and the representative of the International coordinating council of National Human Rights Commissions, as well as with NGOs and disabled peoples’ organisations.
http://www.odi.govt.nz/whats-happening/index.html
Social Report 2008
In respect of children, defined as those 0-17 years, the report continues to be unhelpful. As in past years various age brackets are used, most commencing at age 15 years.
As the Government prepares to release its draft report to the UN in respect of the Convention we will be watching for reference to the following:
Page
7 why ethnicity is not shown for low incomes
7 drinking water quality
14 teenage pregnancy
18 solo parenting
19 disability
27 youth suicide
31 obesity
32 hazardous drinking alcohol
37 early childhood participation
38 school leaving qualifications
62 populations with low income
66 household crowding
96 air quality
98 drinking water quality
120 contact between young people and their parents
Prostitution Law Review Committee
The Prostitution Law Review Committee presented its report to the Associate Minister of Justice on 14 May 2008. The Committee’s report, The Report of the Prostitution Law Review Committee on the Operation of the Prostitution Reform Act 2003,, was tabled in the House of Representatives on 23 May 2008. A list of the Committee’s recommendations can be found in the Executive Summary.
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