February 15, 2024
Media release: New Zealand’s human rights record under scrutiny
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New Zealand’s human rights record under scrutiny
Wairarapa Moana Incorporation were one of only five non-government organisations selected to speak directly to Geneva based United Nations diplomats this week on New Zealand’s human rights record.
In a strongly worded statement, Sonya Rimene, Wairarapa Moana ki Pouākani Incorporation (WMI) Committee of Management and Iwi Chair for Rangitāne Tū Mai Rā Trust criticised the New Zealand Government for stopping the return of lands at Pouākani to Wairarapa Māori by the Waitangi Tribunal.
“This was a breach of our human rights, rights as indigenous people and te Tiriti o Waitangi”, said Sonya Rimene.
Ms Rimene has been well received by Geneva based United Nations diplomats and human rights experts.
“At bilateral meetings with individual countries I’ll be asking them to encourage the New Zealand Government to comply with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”
The Incorporation’s specific recommendations to the United Nations are:
Commit to returning to WMI the lands which were the subject of our resumption application to the Waitangi Tribunal.
or
Undertake to meet its obligations under Article 28(2) of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to provide compensation that is ‘equal in quality, size, and legal status or of monetary compensation or appropriate redress.’
Support for Wairarapa Moana Incorporation’s case against the Crown continues to grow, with Iwi Chairs this year at Waitangi, endorsing the case against the New Zealand Government.
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