The Human Rights Foundation of Aoteoroa New Zealand [“HRF”] is a charity registered with the Charities Commission (registered on 14 April 2008 – Reg. No. CC22917). HRF is also a charitable trust incorporated on 23 October 2001 under The Charitable Trusts Act 1957 (Reg. AK/1171103) and it is heavily involved in “advocacy”. The Charities Commission website (www.charities.govt.nz) records HRF as having 12 Board members. HRF received a total income of $45,486 in the financial year ended 30 June 2011, of which $22,062 came from a government grant and $20,953 from other grants. Its total expenditure was $42,542.
Upholding human rights is fundamental to the maintenance of good community standards and a functioning civil society, just as the upholding and promotion of the moral and spiritual welfare of its citizens is.
HRF’s Objects are succinctly stated on its website as: “We promote human rights through research, education and advocacy” (see www.humanrights.co.nz), and on its Trust Deed: “To promote human rights including by education, training and advocacy…” The high level of (political and representative) “advocacy” this registered charitable entity/lobby group engages in can be gauged from its involvement in the following examples of its activities:
- HRF made a submission to the Justice and Electoral Select Committee opposing the Video Camera Surveillance (Temporary Measures) Bill.
- HRF made a submission on the Ministry of Justice’s Bail Review.
- HRF made a submission to the Law and Order Select Committee on the Criminal Procedure (Reform and Modernisation) Bill.
- HRF publicly opposed increased access to Firearms by frontline Police
- HRF made a submission to the Law and Order Select Committee on the Electoral (Disqualification of Convicted Prisoners) Amendment Bill.
- HRF made a submission on the Search and Surveillance Bill.
- HRF was one of the founders of CATT – formed to oppose Police plans to introduce American made Taser guns into New Zealand policing operations.
- HRF made a submission on the government’s Immigration Review.
- HRF made a submission on the Crimes (Abolition of Force as a Justification for Child Discipline) Amendment Bill. Like a number of other registered charities, it supported the so-called ‘anti-smacking’ legislation championed by Green MP Sue Bradford.
- HRF made a submission on the Torture Amendment Bill.
- HRF provided support for Ahmed Zaoui in his high-profile and lengthy battle over his refugee status, raising legal costs and expenses. Dr Rodney Harrison QC, HRF Advisory Council member and Deborral Manning were the legal team providing legal counsel to Ahmed Zaoui.
- HRF has publicly condemned Indonesian authorities over Violence in Papua.
- HRF has pointed out deficiences in the New Zealand draft report on the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination.
- HRF Advisory Board member Dr Rodney Harison QC has been counsel for Tame Iti and other Operation 8 accused of alleged group terrorism activities and firearm offences in the Ureweras. HRF has expressed its position on this highly contentious political issue.
- HRF made a submission to the Select Committee on the Terrorism Suppression Amendment Bill May 2007
- HRF made a submission on the Social Security Amendment Bill March 2007
- HRF made a submission on the Human Rights (Women in Armed Forces Amendment) Bill – )ctober 2006
- HRF made a submission on the Maori Purposes Bill. October 2006
The commitment of The Human Rights Foundation of Aoteoroa New Zealand – a highly respected registed charity – to (political and representative) “advocacy” must be well understood by the Charities Commission. Such well-publicised lobbying activities are laudable and may well deserve much greater publicity both in New Zealand and overseas.
Upholding human rights is fundamental to the maintenance of good community standards and a functioning civil society, just as the upholding and promotion of the moral and spiritual welfare of its citizens is.
Leave a Reply