Latest news with #RightsAotearoa
Scoop
2 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Rights Aotearoa Demands Urgent Re-evaluation Of Regulatory Standards Bill's Human Rights Impact
Press Release – Rights Aotearoa Leading Human Rights NGO Calls Ministry of Justice Assessment 'Dangerously Superficial' and 'Constitutionally Incoherent' WELLINGTON, 4 June 2025 – Rights Aotearoa, New Zealand's leading NGO devoted to promoting and defending universal human rights, today called on Attorney-General Judith Collins KC to urgently instruct the Ministry of Justice to comprehensively re-evaluate its advice on the Regulatory Standards Bill's consistency with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990. The Ministry's advice concluded that the Bill 'appears to be consistent with the rights and freedoms affirmed in the Bill of Rights Act.' Rights Aotearoa has delivered a detailed letter to the Attorney-General demonstrating that this conclusion represents a grave failure of constitutional analysis that ignores the Bill's fundamental threat to human rights, democracy, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 'The Ministry of Justice has failed in its constitutional duty to assess this Bill's impact on human rights properly,' said Paul Thistoll, CEO of Rights Aotearoa. 'Their analysis acknowledges that the Bill departs from how rights and freedoms are expressed in the Bill of Rights Act, yet inexplicably concludes it has no impact on those rights. This is constitutionally incoherent.' Rights Aotearoa's analysis identifies multiple critical failures in the Ministry's assessment. The Ministry examined only one right superficially—freedom of expression—while ignoring clear conflicts with electoral rights, freedom from discrimination, minority rights, and the right to life. The advice fails entirely to consider how the Bill's mechanisms will create 'regulatory chill,' deterring future governments from enacting essential protections. Of particular concern is the Ministry's failure to analyse the Bill's complete exclusion of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, despite the Waitangi Tribunal's findings that the Crown breached Treaty principles through inadequate consultation with Māori and its recommendation for an 'immediate halt' to the Bill's progress. The organisation highlighted how the Bill's emphasis on property rights and narrow economic efficiency will systematically undermine anti-discrimination protections. Essential measures like disability accommodations, pay equity legislation, and protections against discrimination could be challenged as 'impairing' property rights. 'This Bill creates a competing quasi-constitutional framework that elevates property rights above all other human rights,' the letter states. 'It attempts to lock in a narrow ideological worldview that will bind future Parliaments.' Rights Aotearoa has committed to filing an action in the High Court, should the Bill pass in its current form, seeking a declaration that it is inconsistent with the Bill of Rights Act. The organisation calls on the Attorney-General to instruct the Ministry of Justice to conduct a comprehensive re-evaluation that accurately analyses the Bill's downstream effects on all rights, considers its practical operation, examines the constitutional implications of creating a parallel rights framework, evaluates the exclusion of Te Tiriti, and assesses the impacts on anti-discrimination protections. 'At this critical constitutional moment, New Zealanders deserve rigorous, honest analysis of how this Bill will affect their fundamental rights,' said Thistoll. 'The current advice is not merely inadequate—it's dangerously misleading.' About Rights Aotearoa Rights Aotearoa is Aotearoa New Zealand's leading non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting and defending universal human rights. Although we have a focus on transgender, non-binary and intersex rights, we work to ensure that all people in New Zealand enjoy the full range of human rights and fundamental freedoms recognised in domestic and international law.
Scoop
2 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Rights Aotearoa Demands Urgent Re-evaluation Of Regulatory Standards Bill's Human Rights Impact
WELLINGTON, 4 June 2025 – Rights Aotearoa, New Zealand's leading NGO devoted to promoting and defending universal human rights, today called on Attorney-General Judith Collins KC to urgently instruct the Ministry of Justice to comprehensively re-evaluate its advice on the Regulatory Standards Bill's consistency with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990. The Ministry's advice concluded that the Bill "appears to be consistent with the rights and freedoms affirmed in the Bill of Rights Act." Rights Aotearoa has delivered a detailed letter to the Attorney-General demonstrating that this conclusion represents a grave failure of constitutional analysis that ignores the Bill's fundamental threat to human rights, democracy, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. "The Ministry of Justice has failed in its constitutional duty to assess this Bill's impact on human rights properly," said Paul Thistoll, CEO of Rights Aotearoa. "Their analysis acknowledges that the Bill departs from how rights and freedoms are expressed in the Bill of Rights Act, yet inexplicably concludes it has no impact on those rights. This is constitutionally incoherent." Rights Aotearoa's analysis identifies multiple critical failures in the Ministry's assessment. The Ministry examined only one right superficially—freedom of expression—while ignoring clear conflicts with electoral rights, freedom from discrimination, minority rights, and the right to life. The advice fails entirely to consider how the Bill's mechanisms will create "regulatory chill," deterring future governments from enacting essential protections. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading Of particular concern is the Ministry's failure to analyse the Bill's complete exclusion of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, despite the Waitangi Tribunal's findings that the Crown breached Treaty principles through inadequate consultation with Māori and its recommendation for an "immediate halt" to the Bill's progress. The organisation highlighted how the Bill's emphasis on property rights and narrow economic efficiency will systematically undermine anti-discrimination protections. Essential measures like disability accommodations, pay equity legislation, and protections against discrimination could be challenged as "impairing" property rights. "This Bill creates a competing quasi-constitutional framework that elevates property rights above all other human rights," the letter states. "It attempts to lock in a narrow ideological worldview that will bind future Parliaments." Rights Aotearoa has committed to filing an action in the High Court, should the Bill pass in its current form, seeking a declaration that it is inconsistent with the Bill of Rights Act. The organisation calls on the Attorney-General to instruct the Ministry of Justice to conduct a comprehensive re-evaluation that accurately analyses the Bill's downstream effects on all rights, considers its practical operation, examines the constitutional implications of creating a parallel rights framework, evaluates the exclusion of Te Tiriti, and assesses the impacts on anti-discrimination protections. "At this critical constitutional moment, New Zealanders deserve rigorous, honest analysis of how this Bill will affect their fundamental rights," said Thistoll. "The current advice is not merely inadequate—it's dangerously misleading." About Rights Aotearoa Rights Aotearoa is Aotearoa New Zealand's leading non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting and defending universal human rights. Although we have a focus on transgender, non-binary and intersex rights, we work to ensure that all people in New Zealand enjoy the full range of human rights and fundamental freedoms recognised in domestic and international law.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
From Tobaccogate To Gendergate: Casey Costello's Pattern Of Ideology Over Evidence Continues
Wellington, New Zealand Rights Aotearoa (formerly Countering Hate Speech Aotearoa) today strongly condemned Associate Health Minister Casey Costello for issuing a discriminatory directive targeting trans and non-binary pregnant people without any evidence, consultation, or regard for human rights – the latest in a disturbing pattern of ideological decision-making. Official Information Act documents prove Minister Costello: Took ZERO advice before directing Health NZ to exclude trans and non-binary people from health communications. Conducted NO analysis of human rights implications under the Human Rights Act 1993 or the Bill of Rights Act 1990. Had NO evidence to support her claim about inclusive language confusing ESL speakers. She just lied about this point. Ignored established medical best practice to pursue an ideological agenda. "Casey Costello presented her personal prejudice as fact," said Paul Thistoll, CEO of Rights Aotearoa. "She claimed inclusive language confused people with English as a second language, yet sought no advice, consulted no one, and had zero evidence. This is governance by discrimination." The minister's directive forces Health NZ to erase pregnant trans men and non-binary people from existence in health communications – a clear breach of the Human Rights Act 1993. "First, there was tobaccogate; now it's gendergate. This isn't just about words; it's about trust and a pattern of behaviour," Thistoll continued. During the tobacco scandal, Costello: Ignored Treasury officials who told her "Philip Morris would be the biggest winner" from her $216 million tax cut. First denied that a tobacco policy document existed, then claimed not to know who wrote it or how it ended up in her office. Was reprimanded TWICE by the Chief Ombudsman for acting "contrary to law" in withholding information. Claimed to have "independent advice" supporting tobacco tax cuts, but refused to reveal its source. "When a Minister bypasses evidence, ignores expert advice, and has a history of transparency issues, it undermines public confidence," said Thistoll. "Whether it's handing $216 million to Big Tobacco or erasing trans people from healthcare, Casey Costello operates the same way: no evidence, no consultation, no transparency, no accountability." This directive will erase trans and non-binary pregnant people from health communications, potentially denying them vital care, despite research from Dr George Parker showing inclusive language benefits them without harming others. Rights Aotearoa demands Minister Costello: Immediately reverse this discriminatory and evidence-free directive Issue a public apology to the trans and non-binary community for the distress caused and for pursuing policy without due diligence Commit unequivocally to transparent, evidence-based policymaking, particularly in health If Minister Costello refuses to uphold her responsibilities and correct this harmful directive by July 1st, Rights Aotearoa will: Support pregnant trans and non-binary people to file formal complaints with the Human Rights Commission and pursue proceedings before the Human Rights Review Tribunal to seek a ruling that the directive unlawfully discriminates based on gender identity "Kiwis deserve healthcare based on facts and fairness, not a Minister's personal crusade," Thistoll declared. "Casey Costello has shown she will sacrifice public health and human rights for her personal ideology. From tobacco to trans rights, she operates without evidence, hides the truth, and puts vulnerable people at risk. This must stop." OIA response CCHOIA-447 from Hon Casey Costello's office (29 May 2025) confirms no consultation or advice was sought. The Human Rights Act 1993 prohibits discrimination on the grounds of sex, which includes gender identity, according to the Human Rights Commission, based on the Crown Law 2006 Opinion. Health NZ confirmed they had no policy requiring gender-inclusive language before the minister's intervention. Minister previously found to have acted unlawfully by Chief Ombudsman in tobacco policy matters.
