STATEMENT BY MALAYSIA
Review of New Zealand
18th Session of the UPR Working Group of the
Human Rights Council
27 January – 7 February 2014
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Mr. President,
Malaysia welcomes the delegation of New Zealand to the Human Rights Council. We thank them for their presentation of the national report.
2. My delegation appreciates New Zealand’s on-going policies and programmes to further enhance the promotion and protection of the human rights of its people. We note the key priorities that the Government has set forth in their human rights agenda based on the challenges and constraints that New Zealand is currently facing.
3. In particular, we take note the efforts made by the Government to improve the lives of the Maori, and encourage the Government to continue strengthening their social, economic and cultural rights. We also note the progress made by the Government in improving the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities. Despite these progress, my delegation views that more could be done to improve the human rights situation in the country.
4. In this regard, my delegation wishes to make the following three recommendations:
4.1. One: To eliminate the gender pay gap across all groups and ethnicities using demonstrated effective mechanisms, including intensive monitoring processes and legislative levers;
4.2. Two: To take all necessary measures to provide appropriate support to allow disadvantaged families and their children to move out of poverty sustainably and continue to provide assistance to those who remain under the poverty line; and
4.3. Three: To step up efforts in providing equal access to health services to its people, particularly to the minority and indigenous peoples in the country.
I thank you.
GENEVA
27 January 2014