April 09, 2014
Government in denial over racist justice
Greens co-leader Metitia Turei says the National-led Government has consistently denied any racist filters in the police and justice systems.
A United Nations working group has recommended a review of the degree of inconsistencies and systemic bias against Maori at all the different levels of the criminal justice system.
Ms Turei says the Greens have been presenting examples of discrimination for years, but ministers have refused to listen.
"Young Maori men tend to get worse treated and higher sentences for Pakeha for the same thing. We’ve seen it in the stats. You’re much more likely to get diversion for example if you’re Pakeha than if you’re Maori. You’re much more likely to be arrested and stopped and searched if you’re Maori than if you’re Pakeha, so we know that the evidence is clear but the government has refused for years to do anything about it," she says.
The UN working group will present its final report to the Human Rights Council next year.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH METIRIA TUREI CLICK ON THE LINK
http://www.waateanews.com/play_podcast?podlink=MTcwMTg=
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