CAT/C/NZL/CO/6
United Nations
Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment
Distr.: General
2 June 2015
Original: English
Committee against Torture
Concluding observations on the sixth periodic report
of New Zealand*
1.
The Committee against Torture considered the sixth periodic report of New Zealand
(CAT/C/NZL/6) at its 1292nd and 1295th meetings, held on 21 and 22 April 2015 (see
CAT/C/SR.1292 and 1295), and adopted, at its 1312nd and 1314th meetings, held on 5 and
6 May 2015, the following concluding observations.
A.
Introduction
2.
The Committee welcomes the interactive dialogue held with the State party’s highlevel multisectoral delegation, as well as the additional information and explanations
provided by the delegation to the Committee.
B.
Positive aspects
3.
The Committee welcomes the State party’s ratification of the Optional Protocol to
the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and
child pornography.
4.
The Committee also welcomes the following legislative and administrative changes
in areas of relevance to the Convention:
(a)
Amendments to family court legislation, to enable resolutions to be made
faster and in a more fluid manner;
(b)
The introduction of police safety orders to protect women and their families
when the police cannot arrest someone for family violence owing to insufficient evidence;
(c)
The implementation of the Immigration Act 2009, which entered into force
on 29 November 2010 and prohibits the expulsion of persons to a place where they are at
risk of torture and limits the situations in which asylum seekers may be detained;
(d)
The enactment of the Immigration Amendment Act 2013, which gives
agencies the time needed to make enquiries into the backgrounds of groups of individuals,
pending decisions on refugee or protection claims;
* Adopted by the Committee at its fifty-fourth session (20 April-15 May 2015).
GE.15-11091 (E)