Latest news with #LisaWoods
Scoop
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Human Rights In Aotearoa On A Downward Trend
Research released today by the Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI) raises serious concerns for how human rights are being upheld in Aotearoa New Zealand. The data is available on the HRMI Rights Tracker, showing ongoing downward trends across most of the rights associated with Safety from the State, and Empowerment. In looking at the categories under Safety from the State, the only positive news is a perfect score of 10 on Freedom From the Death Penalty. But in the past year, Freedom From Forced Disappearance has declined to 8.2, Freedom From Extrajudicial Execution has declined to 7.9, Freedom From Arbitrary Arrest has declined to 7.0 (all out of a score of 10). Deeply concerning, Freedom From Torture and Ill-Treatment sits at 6.4. Lisa Woods, Movement Building and Advocacy Director for Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand, said, "Ultimately, we're concerned that this is part of a wider raft of laws, policies and practices chipping away at the foundations of our society. We're seeing a sustained, systematic undermining of Te Tiriti and Indigenous rights. We're also seeing proposals that remove fundamental rights of people in prison, a concerning use of urgency in Parliament that in effect stifles debate, and more. "That our nation scores 6.4 out of 10 on Freedom From Torture and Ill-Treatment is shocking. Those who were identified by human rights experts to be particularly at risk of having this right violated include: people with disabilities, Māori, people experiencing homelessness, people accused of a crime, refugees and people seeking asylum, children and the rainbow community. "We have to honestly question where we are as a country. This is unacceptable, not to mention a stain on our international reputation," said Woods. In the Empowerment section of the HRMI data, New Zealand has also declined in the past year in the areas of Opinion and Expression (7.1), Participation in Government (6.4), and Freedom of Assembly and Association (7.4). Across all these categories, Māori are at or near the top of those most affected. Jacqui Dillon, Executive Director of Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand, said, "Step one for Aotearoa New Zealand is upholding Te Tiriti and the tino rangatiratanga it guarantees. "When we do, we can build a strong foundation that provides a place for us all to belong. This is exactly how we strengthen our society so that it is characterised by respectful relationships and a just framework for how we can make decisions together. "While the Government is busy setting up a hotline for road cones, it's asleep at the wheel on protecting the things that matter most to the people of Aotearoa New Zealand. "A quick look around the world will tell you that we cannot be complacent when it comes to undermining the foundations of a respectful society. This is a slippery slope. "We are stronger when human rights are not only respected but strengthened. For everyone," said Dillon.
Scoop
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
It's More Than Just Equal Pay
Press Release – Amnesty International There can be legitimate reasons for using urgency. However, we are concerned that urgency is being used over and over and over again when it doesnt need to be – avoiding the scrutiny and public input that helps protect against bad law. In response to reports that the Government is amending the Equal Pay Act under urgency, Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand's Movement Building and Advocacy Director, Lisa Woods, said: 'This looks like an abuse of process. Once again we are seeing the Government rushing through legislation without adequate oversight and the opportunity for us all, especially those most impacted, to have a say. That's not what happens in a healthy, thriving, representative democracy. There can be legitimate reasons for using urgency. However, we are concerned that urgency is being used over and over and over again when it doesn't need to be – avoiding the scrutiny and public input that helps protect against bad law. This is a problem we've seen across successive governments. It risks normalising undemocratic practices, bypassing normal checks and balances that support transparency and participation. The use of urgency is not an isolated concern. We're seeing actions by Government utterly disregarding Te Tiriti o Waitangi – a fundamental part of our constitutional make-up. We're seeing accountability and transparency challenged in other areas such as with the Official Information Act. New Zealanders must seriously question what path this is all leading us down and take a stand for the kind of society we want – one that's based on respect, dignity and equity. This starts with getting our foundation right. For Aotearoa New Zealand this is about upholding Te Tiriti and the tino rangatiratanga it guarantees. In doing so we provide a place for us all to belong, for respectful relationships to flourish and a just foundation for how we can make decisions together. When our systems are designed so we can all make a meaningful contribution, we can all benefit in so many ways, including more well-rounded and informed decision-making, stronger communities and feelings of belonging and connection. Not to mention overcoming intergenerational inequities in how different groups of people are paid.'
Scoop
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
It's More Than Just Equal Pay
In response to reports that the Government is amending the Equal Pay Act under urgency, Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand's Movement Building and Advocacy Director, Lisa Woods, said: "This looks like an abuse of process. Once again we are seeing the Government rushing through legislation without adequate oversight and the opportunity for us all, especially those most impacted, to have a say. That's not what happens in a healthy, thriving, representative democracy. There can be legitimate reasons for using urgency. However, we are concerned that urgency is being used over and over and over again when it doesn't need to be - avoiding the scrutiny and public input that helps protect against bad law. This is a problem we've seen across successive governments. It risks normalising undemocratic practices, bypassing normal checks and balances that support transparency and participation. The use of urgency is not an isolated concern. We're seeing actions by Government utterly disregarding Te Tiriti o Waitangi - a fundamental part of our constitutional make-up. We're seeing accountability and transparency challenged in other areas such as with the Official Information Act. New Zealanders must seriously question what path this is all leading us down and take a stand for the kind of society we want - one that's based on respect, dignity and equity. This starts with getting our foundation right. For Aotearoa New Zealand this is about upholding Te Tiriti and the tino rangatiratanga it guarantees. In doing so we provide a place for us all to belong, for respectful relationships to flourish and a just foundation for how we can make decisions together. When our systems are designed so we can all make a meaningful contribution, we can all benefit in so many ways, including more well-rounded and informed decision-making, stronger communities and feelings of belonging and connection. Not to mention overcoming intergenerational inequities in how different groups of people are paid."
Scoop
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Chilling Government Proposal To Remove Voting Rights
Yesterday news broke that the Government is proposing a total ban on voting for people in prison. Currently people in prison who are serving less than three years are able to vote. The proposed blanket ban is a breach of human rights. The High Court has previously ruled it is an unjustifiable limitation on the rights protected by the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act and made a "declaration of inconsistency", which was upheld in a Supreme Court decision. The 2023 Independent Electoral Review stated all prisoners should have the right to vote. Lisa Woods, Movement Building and Advocacy Director for Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand, said: "This is disturbing. Despite a raft of decisions and advice saying it breaches people's human rights, the Government is still proposing this blanket ban, which will disproportionately harm Māori. The right to vote is a fundamental right. This Government's proposal is chilling. This policy is also incoherent. We're seeing the stacking of punishment on top of punishment, when the focus should be on rehabilitation. It fundamentally undermines human dignity. We all want a sense of agency. We all want respect and to have a say in the decisions that influence our lives. When systems are designed so we can all make a meaningful contribution, we can all benefit in so many ways, including more well-rounded and informed decision-making, stronger communities and feelings of belonging and connection. Ultimately, we're concerned that this is part of a wider raft of laws, policies and practices stripping away the foundations of our society. We have to see the big picture and seriously question what path this is leading us down as a society. We must take a stand for the type of society we want. Te Tiriti provides a starting point - a strong foundation that offers a place for us all to belong, for respectful relationships to flourish and a just foundation for how we can make decisions together."
