7 May 2009 - Catholic social justice agency Caritas is looking for New Zealand to sharpen up its human rights record at home, as the government's performance is put under the spotlight by the United Nations (UN) today.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is looking for better protection for the rights of indigenous people, working children, people in prisons, and new arrivals to New Zealand. These are just some of the concerns it has put on the table for the UN Human Rights Council as New Zealand undergoes a Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of its human rights for the first time.

Caritas Director Michael Smith said New Zealand is justifiably proud of the role it has often played internationally as a human rights champion, but it cannot afford to be complacent about its human rights record at home. The agency had taken the opportunity given to non-government organisations through the UPR process to comment on human rights concerns.

"Caritas has frequently addressed Select Committees about the human rights implications of domestic legislation. We have concerns that the formal process for assessing new legislation against the Bill of Rights is not robust enough to prevent the passing of discriminatory legislation such as the Foreshore and Seabed Act in 2004."

Mr Smith said the Catholic agency is equally concerned about the removal of natural justice rights in the Immigration Bill, expected to be passed shortly. "We have also taken this opportunity to raise our ongoing concerns about adequate protection for working children, protection of workers' rights, social and economic rights including the impact of the In-Work tax credit, and the rights of people in prison."

Mr Smith said both Caritas and the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference have also called on the Government to support the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Interactive dialogue between government representatives and members of the Human Rights Council will be broadcast via the internet from 7-10pm NZT, Thursday 7 May.