Human Rights Issues in New Zealand: Racial Discrimination and Health Inequalities

Running head: HEALTHCARE
HEALTHCARE
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

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Introduction
Today's world accepts the concept that every person has the right to, and has the authority to live
a dignified life. It is a prevalent occurrence which human beings everywhere require. This
includes the recognition of their personal and collective wellbeing in various ways (Lewis et al.
2017, p. 381). However, in many nations around the globe, such rights or freedoms are rejected
by exploitation, repression, repression, etc. Human rights received global attention in the wake of
the Second World War, which killed millions.
The notion of human rights today involves, especially concerning growth, the climate,
and self-determination, civil and political rights or government freedom, financial, social and
cultural demands. It is the duty of the country, as stated, to safeguard and encourage human
liberties. The country also should develop circumstances for a peaceful life that permit every
person in this state to enjoy human rights (Kelsey 2015,p. 12). However, given that, there is a
growing danger of violations of human rights arising from several of the country operations. The
international law also ensures and encourages the implementation and compliance with human
rights, whether in its universal or regional manifestations.
Human rights in New Zealand had to be implemented throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
But New Zealand was complacent during this period about the requirement to recognize human
rights officially (Legislation.govt.nz. 2019). It seemed that it wasn't necessary because of the
limited human rights issues that existed in New Zealand. This scenario changed rapidly. Racism
has been a source of poverty, death and marginalization throughout New Zealand' s history and
was motivated by a conviction of the supremacy of the ruling class, especially among indigenous

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people. Besides, for at least 100 years in New Zealand, there have been socio-economic health
mortal inequalities.
The thesis statement of the essay argues with the two major human rights issue that is the racial
discrimination and the health inequalities, which are some of the significant human rights issues
that still prevails in New Zealand. The essay illustrates the advocacy actions that have been taken
by New Zealand for the targeted points followed by recommendations and conclusion summary.
Discussion
UDHR Article 1 -Free and equal
All human beings are born free and fair and should be treated the same way.
Indignity and freedoms, all men are born free and equal. They have purpose and awareness and
should behave in the sense of fraternity towards one another (Ssenyonjo 2016).
Convention of International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination (ICERD)
According to WHO.int. (2019) , New Zealand has undertaken to assist the efforts taken to
uphold the statement by the OHCHR and other prestigious U.N. organizations. It took an active
part in the U.N. General Assembly and the annual U.N. Human Rights Commission (CHR)
meeting. The rights of females, kids and native individuals have been supported in New Zealand.
The U.N. system has been a powerful multilateral focus in New Zealand's human rights strategy
always (Houkamau, Stronge & Sibley 2017,p. 61). However, in terms of ethnic discrimination
in the nation, the disparities and difficulties remain. New Zealand may well be one of the most
tolerated states in the world, owing to its multicultural history and the mix of various populations

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that have migrated from every corner of the world (Tushnet 2017,p.270). Nevertheless, Māori
and Pasifika people have continuing to experience racial and structural discrimination, especially
in terms of education, justice and work. Perhaps not as brutal as the 1960s Alabama, but under a
high furnace of civilization, it denigrates people who are distinct from Pākehā population, no
matter how insignificant discriminations these may be. New Zealand, the country is as racial as
South America.
The figure below illustrates the scenario of racial discrimination that is prevalent in the country.
Source: Devere (2016,p.267)