NZ Council for Civil Liberties

Steven Ensslen

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”

Submissions

Submission: Here ora? Preventive measures for community safety, rehabilitation and reintegration (NZLC IP54, 2024)

The Council opposes preventative detention and post-sentence orders in principle. We reluctantly acknowledge that we should not abolish preventative measures at this time. The Council generally supports the Law Commission's Preferred Approach, but we do note some objections. Keep reading “Submission: Here ora? Preventive measures for community safety, rehabilitation and reintegration (NZLC IP54, 2024)”

Submissions

Submission: Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Bill

The Council opposes the Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Bill as it infringes on our civil liberties while not providing sufficient justification for doing so. It seems to us that the bill is more about political signalling than improving our justice system. Keep reading “Submission: Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Bill”

Submissions

Submission: Restoring Citizenship Removed By Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill

The Council has long opposed the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982, which we have described as unjust and racist. Therefore the Council supports the Restoring Citizenship Removed By Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill. Keep reading “Submission: Restoring Citizenship Removed By Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill”

Submissions

Submission: Public safety and serious offenders: a review of preventive detention and post-sentence orders

The Council opposes preventative detention and post-sentence orders in principle. The Council reluctantly acknowledges that the rest of our systems are in such an unsatisfactory state that we can not recommend abolishing preventative detention at this time. There are small numbers of people who are dangers to themselves and others who are currently managed though preventative detention. Keep reading “Submission: Public safety and serious offenders: a review of preventive detention and post-sentence orders”

Submissions

Submission:Immigration (Mass Arrivals) Amendment Bill

Seeking refuge is a human right. This bill discriminates against asylum seekers who associate with one another. It is unconscionable to imprison people seeking refuge for nothing more than associating with other people with similar needs. The Council calls for the Committee to reject this bill. Keep reading “Submission:Immigration (Mass Arrivals) Amendment Bill”

Submissions

Submission: Independent Electoral Review

While great play is made of our Parliament being supreme in Aotearoa’s mostly un-entrenched constitutional arrangements, we believe it is weak, has too few members, is significantly under-resourced, does not function well, lacks independence, and is therefore dominated by the executive. We need to invest more in our Parliament to improve the quality and independence of its work, and thereby our democracy. Keep reading “Submission: Independent Electoral Review”