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Human Rights, Responsibility and Governance

30 January 2010
A visit to Vanuatu by Betsan MARTIN

Vanuatu 29 Nov – 6 Dec 2009 A visit to Vanuatu was hosted by a Ni Vanuatu women known to us though her studies at a university in new Zealand. We found that women are bearing large burdens of extended family responsibilities – and that in urban areas there are added pressures of financial responsibility upon women who have jobs. Highlights of the visit included a village ‘Mountains to reef” watersheds management programme , and an urban theatre group which generates ecological literacy through (...)

13 May 2008
News Item on Australian Government Apology to Aboriginal People by Betsan MARTIN

Summary Apology to Australian Aboriginal People part of a flow of Government Apologies in the Pacific Region, including to Samoan people, and to Mãori Tribes. Apologies are a recent response to support the reconciliation process. They are intended to heal past wrongs on the part of governments who have exercised state powers to destroy the cohesion of indigenous peoples, or suppress initiatives for independence. Although graciously received, the apologies are part of a long journey to (...)

UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples - 26 October 2007, by Betsan MARTIN

Commentary NZ Opposes Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples In New Zealand there has been quite a lot of attention amongst Human Rights and Indigenous networks, to the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which was passed by the UN General Assembly on 13th September. There has been an outcry because of NZ opposition to the Declaration, despite years of advocacy and lobbying from Maori for the NZ government to support this indigenous initiative. The Declaration was (...)

Series of Public Forums in partnership with the Human Rights Commission - 8 January 2007, by Betsan MARTIN

The Charter of Human responsibilities committee in New Zealand is hosting a series of public seminars in partnership with the Human Rights Commission. The Human Rights Commission supports public forums and has an extensive network for citizen participation and discussion in matters of public interest. The forums we have co-hosted were in Wellington, they are to encourage public information and debate on topics relevant to Human Rights and Responsibilities. In July 2006 we hosted a (...)

Good Governance, Responsibility and the Waka - 4 April 2006, by Betsan MARTIN

Dr Humphries worked closely with the Board of a significant government agency whose task it is to work with other government agencies, community and private sector organisations to enhance the working lives of New Zealanders. Among the priorities set for this organisation is the urgent need to work with Maori and Pacific Peoples to see how the resources of this organisation can be better used to support their flourishing. The relationships between this organisation and other government (...)

Human Rights and Responsibilities - 7 January 2005, by Betsan MARTIN

This is the network that most closely corresponds to the Charter work in New Zealand. Two of the committee members have become particularly involved in Human Rights networks where discussions for collaboration on the introduction of responsibility have been initiated. There have been initial proposals to introduce provision for Human Responsibility in law, through the Human Rights legislation. A meeting with the Chief Human Rights Commissioner is planned for November. Progress at this (...)