Each year 21 March is observed around the globe as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The date recalls the tragic loss of life at Sharpeville in South Africa in 1960, and is dedicated by the United Nations to the achievement of the goals of the Convention for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. New Zealand signed the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination on 25 October 1966 and ratified it on 22 November 1972.

A message from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:

Race Relations Day coincides with our Human Rights Commission’s annual Review of Race Relations. It surveys general developments in race relations over the previous year, collates key data, analyses complaints and provides an overview of race relations research.

The latest Review, released on 10 March, stresses that social and economic inequalities in New Zealand remain unacceptably high. Despite some positive progress – the growth of te reo Māori and the Māori economy; Parliament reflecting the cultural diversity of the country; and the settling of historical claims for breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi – there are still entrenched racial inequalities in health, education, employment, justice and housing.

The report notes that youth unemployment, child abuse, educational underachievement, and poor health continue to affect Maori and Pacific peoples disproportionately. “It is also time to examine whether there are still systemic or institutional barriers to racial equality that need to be addressed,” stated Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres.

Two pieces of legislation passed in 2010 are highlighted as going against basic human rights principles: the introduction of ‘three strikes’ provisions in sentencing and the removal of prisoners’ right to vote.

“This is of great concern, particularly since Parliament passed the legislation in both cases despite advice to the contrary from the Attorney-General. He told Parliament that the three-strikes legislation was “inconsistent with the right against disproportionately severe
treatment”, it would result in “disparities between offenders that are not rationally based”, and it might result in “gross disproportionality in sentencing”. He described the removal of prisoners’ right to vote as “unjustifiably inconsistent with the electoral rights affirmed by section 12 of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.” Both provisions are likely
to have a disproportionate effect on Maori.

This years full review, along with past reviews, can be found here.

Events have been taking place throughout March to celebrate Race Relations Day. Details of these, and more upcoming events, can be found on the Human Rights Commission website here.