Universal Periodic Review (UPR) – 18th Session
Intervention for New Zealand
Delivered by Peter Mulrean
Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., U.S. Mission
UN Human Rights Council
Geneva, January 27, 2014
Thank you Mr. President. The United States warmly welcomes Judith Collins, Minister of Justice and Ethnic Affairs, and the delegation of New Zealand to the UPR Working Group.
We commend New Zealand’s long-standing leadership on and commitment to human rights internationally. We commend the government’s efforts to strengthen its partnership with the Māori to realize durable and fair settlements of historical claims under the Treaty of Waitangi . We support the Government of New Zealand’s continued efforts to protect children against abuse and neglect, as well as its efforts to counter domestic violence. We look forward to continuing to work with the Government of New Zealand to promote and protect human rights and democratic institutions in the region and around the world.
At the same time, New Zealand continues to face challenges related to human trafficking, such as identifying trafficking victims and prosecuting perpetrators.
Bearing in mind these concerns, we recommend that New Zealand:
- Continue efforts to address gaps in societal service delivery and education programs and to address societal discrimination against indigenous persons and individuals belonging to ethnic minority groups;
- Increase efforts to investigate and prosecute alleged trafficking offenders, and adopt legislation that will expand New Zealand’s current anti-trafficking legal framework to prohibit and adequately punish all forms of human trafficking.
Thank you Mr. President.