NZ Council for Civil Liberties

News

Open Government Partnership – CSO letter to Minister and response

Civil society organisations have written to Minister Collins who – following the reshuffle – is now the Minister responsible for New Zealand's membership of the Open Government Partnership (OGP). We suggested commitments for our fifth National Action Plan, and sought a meeting with the minister. Keep reading “Open Government Partnership – CSO letter to Minister and response”

Blog Posts

Guest post ‘Thematic Review: The Policing of public protests in New Zealand’: A Critical Response

Guest post discussing the significant issues with the IPCA's report ‘Thematic Review: The Policing of public protests in New Zealand’ which recommends changes to legislation and policing around public protests in Aotearoa. Keep reading “Guest post ‘Thematic Review: The Policing of public protests in New Zealand’: A Critical Response”

Submissions

Submission: Term of Parliament (Enabling 4-year Term) Legislation Amendment Bill

This bill would possibly extend the term of Parliament to 4 years. The Council strongly recommends that this bill is not passed. Proponents of a four-year term would be better served by first enacting methods to strengthen the legislature and our democracy by dispersing power more widely, and ensuring these measures are deeply embedded. Keep reading “Submission: Term of Parliament (Enabling 4-year Term) Legislation Amendment Bill”

News

Freedom to protest – Letter to IPCA

The Council has written to the Independent Police Conduct Authority, about its recent report, Review of the policing of public protests in New Zealand. We know that IPCA is not subject to the Official Information Act 1982, but we are asking them for information gathered during the course of producing its report anyway. Keep reading “Freedom to protest – Letter to IPCA”

News

We reject IPCA call for government to issue protest permits

The right to protest is protected by the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression in the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act. And this is why it's so disturbing to see the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) publish a report saying that people should have to apply to the government for permission before protesting. Keep reading “We reject IPCA call for government to issue protest permits”

Submissions

Submission: List of Issues Prior to Reporting for Aotearoa New Zealand’s 2025 Review under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

The peformance by New Zealand of its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is being reviewed by the UN's Human Rights Committee. The Council made a submission on issues we think the HRC should ask the government about during the review. Keep reading “Submission: List of Issues Prior to Reporting for Aotearoa New Zealand’s 2025 Review under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights”

Submissions

Submission: Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Bill

The Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Bill creates several new criminal offences. However, it is very broadly drafted, meaning people engaging in legitimate political activities, such as protests, could face sentences of up to 10 years in jail. The Bill also empowers the Police to carry out searches related to these offences without having to get a search warrant. We oppose the bill and have also recommended amendments. Keep reading “Submission: Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Bill”

Submissions

Submission: Consultation on proposed Regulatory Standards Bill

The government is proposing to introduce a Regulatory Standards Bill, which would define principles of liberty and property against which all other legislation would be tested. The Council is opposed to the proposals, and believes they seek to make the 'liberties' and property rights of companies as important as people's human rights. Keep reading “Submission: Consultation on proposed Regulatory Standards Bill”

Submissions

Submission: Budapest Convention and Related Matters Legislation Amendment Bill

The convention has been widely criticised for creating human rights problems. The convention requires New Zealand Police to invade the privacy of people here, upon receipt of demands from foreign police, without adequate safeguards like proportionality. It is far better for Aotearoa New Zealand to creatively implement treaties in ways which improve our country than to strictly adhere to the wording of treaties in ways which lower our standards.  Keep reading “Submission: Budapest Convention and Related Matters Legislation Amendment Bill”

Articles

Chairperson’s Report 2024

It seems that authoritarianism and fascism are on the rise, with war and the oppression of civilian populations quick to follow. This possibility is exactly one of the reasons why we push back against the excesses of the state. Not only is government power against the individual prone to being misused, but its use reinforces the attitude that force is the answer to everything. Civil liberties and the protections of the NZ Bill of Rights Act are vital to maintaining a proper balance of power between the state and the people. Keep reading “Chairperson’s Report 2024”