International Human Rights
NZs National Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Report
New Zealand’s human rights performance came under scrutiny at the United Nations Human Rights Council in May 2009.
United Nations Review of New Zealand’s Human Rights Performance 2009
Under its international obligations New Zealand has to prepare a national Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report every four years that assesses progress on meeting its international human rights obligations.
As part of the process the Human Rights Commission prepared its own assessment, including recommendations that it considered would enhance human rights in New Zealand. This was the first time New Zealand had participated in the new UPR process. The review is an assessment of human rights by member states of the United Nations. The process is in the form of a dialogue, rather than a hearing.
The review took place in Geneva on May 7, 2009. The Government was represented by Justice Minister Simon Power. Chief Human Rights Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan also attended the session.
Individual UN member states can ask questions and make recommendations to New Zealand, but the Council itself does not make a judgment. New Zealand has the option to accept or reject recommendations made by individual states.
For more information
- Universal Periodic Review Progress Chart (2011)
- Read the Government’s New Zealand’s National Human Rights Report submitted to the United Nations
- Read Report of the work group on the Universal Periodic Review
- Draft Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review – New Zealand (100Kb PDF)
- Read an account of New Zealand’s human rights review at the United Nations
- Link to UN webcast.
- Visit the United Nations Office of the High Commission for Human Rights (UNHOCHR) Universal Periodic Review page.
- Read the official documentation which was prepared for the UPR Review.
- Read the Government’s New Zealand’s National Human Rights Report submitted to the United Nations.
- Read the UN media release on the UN Human Rights Council’s adoption of the New Zealand report including final comments from Council members and the New Zealand government’s response (September 2009) (Word 60Kb)
- Read the Human Rights Commission’s concluding statement to the Human Rights Council on New Zealand’s universal periodic review (September 2009) (PDF)
To read the Commission’s Report on New Zealand’s Human Rights Performance click on the links below:
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Find out more about the UPR process.