International Human Rights Law

This note reviews New Zealand practice concerning international human rights law in 2017. New Zealand continued its engagement with UN treaty based bodies for the promotion and protection of human rights as a result of its commitments under various human rights treaties. Engaging in the process of “constructive dialogue” which characterizes the U.N. efforts to secure compliance with treaty obligations, this year New Zealand submitted its periodic report under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights while the U.N. issued its concluding observations on New Zealand’s human rights practises under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on the Elimination of All forms of Racial Discrimination. This year also saw the U.N. Committee against Torture delivered a list of issues for New Zealand to consider in advance of its state report due in 2019 while the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment issued it observations and recommendations based upon its visit to New Zealand from 29 April to 8 May 2013. In addition, during 2017 the Human Rights Committee which oversees the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights heard a number of individual communications involving New Zealand while the Committee Against Torture which oversees the implementation Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment also heard a complaint against New Zealand On the domestic side, the New Zealand Human Rights Commission continued its work, supporting the UN and the reporting process as well as engaging in numerous campaigns promote and protect the human rights of individuals living in Aotearoa New Zealand.