NZ Council for Civil Liberties

Submissions

Submissions

Submissions

Submission: Demonstrations Near Residential Premises Amendment Bill

The Council opposes this attempt to limit our right to protest as a completely unjustified restraint on our civil liberties. If it should pass we make suggestions for improvements including tighter definitions and the requirement to give a warning before arrest. Keep reading “Submission: Demonstrations Near Residential Premises Amendment Bill”

Submissions

Submission: Regulatory Systems (Internal Affairs) Amendment Bill

The Operation Burnham inquiry concluded that NZDF should not be uncritically trusted to oversee itself. Given that the IGD appears not to be overseeing NZDF either, the Public Records Act remains the primary safeguard we have as a nation to hold NZDF accountable for its mistakes. Keep reading “Submission: Regulatory Systems (Internal Affairs) Amendment Bill”

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”

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”

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)”