Transparency International New Zealand has recently submitted its response to the Government’s draft Seventh Periodic Report under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Our submission highlights issues relating to transparency, integrity, and anti-corruption—areas central to TINZ’s work. Recommendations include:
- a call for a Modern Slavery Act that allows for a national referral mechanism; also New Zealand should end employer-tied visas;
- any review of the legal aid scheme equity should also be a criteria for review alongside efficiency and sustainability, since Māori, Pacific peoples, and women experience more barriers in accessing legal assistance;
- prisoners on remand should also have access to education and employment programmes;
- more comprehensive action is needed to address the harm being caused to prisoners held in remand facilities;
- prisoners should have the right to vote;
- New Zealand needs legislation and regulation to counter online harm, just as we have legal redress opportunities via print, radio, and tv mechanisms;
- The Official Information Act should be extended to include parliamentary services and Officers of Parliament; and proactive release should become a standard expectation across the public sector;
- repeal of legislation that extends voter registration further out from voting day;
- strengthening of Standing Orders and guidance on the use of urgency, and urges political leaders and parties to support public participation in law and policymaking by limiting the use of fast-track legislation and urgency.
This process is an important opportunity to assess how well New Zealand is meeting its international human rights obligations, and to identify areas for improvement.
You can read our full submission here.
