Overview

This page contains the activities we are working on at present. It is updated as we commence each new project. If you have an interest in any particular project, contact us. If you wish to view documents referred to on this page, use the links on the right of the page. They are also archived in the resources section.

Current Projects:

LAW INTO ACTION: Publication underway

The Foundation is now promoting Law into Action: economic, social and cultural rights in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is being published by Thomson Reuters. We were fortunate to secure funding from the NZ Law Foundation to cover copy editing and enable us to deliver a print ready PDF to the publisher.

We identified a gap in the available literature for a publication which explores the historical and potential implementation of economic, social and cultural rights in New Zealand in a way that is inclusive, functional, and readily applicable to ‘doing’ rights and making positive changes in our country. The publication is both comprehensive and accessible to as wide an audience as possible. For more detailed information, see our home page.

Our many contributors are experts in their fields, including both academics and practitioners.

Previous Projects:

Justice for Ahmed Zaoui

The Foundation supports Ahmed Zaoui who has gained refugee status following a hearing by the Refugee Status Appeal Authority, but who still remains in solitary confinement under a National Security Risk Certificate. This certificate is under review by the Inspector-General of the Security Intelligence Service.

The Foundation has prepared FAQs about his case and is assisting in raising funds towards the legal costs and expenses being incurred by Mr Zaoui in order to bring witnesses to New Zealand to appear before the Inspector-General of the SIS in the review of the security risk certificate . Send your cheque (made out to "Human Rights Foundation: for Ahmed Zaoui legal expenses for witnesses ") to:

Human Rights Foundation

PO Box 106343

Auckland City

You can view:

• the decision of the Refugee Status Appeal Authority;
• "Key Points" of the decision;
• FAQs

and make up your own mind about his continued detention.

Freedom's Ramparts on the Sea

The HRF and the Refugee Council have issued a report outlining their concerns over the routine detention of asylum seekers since September 2001.

Funded by Amnesty International, Freedom's Ramparts on the Sea details the impact the routine detention policy has had on New Zealand's refugee system.

It also highlights areas of refugee policy that need urgent attention. Download the report - Freedom's Ramparts on the Sea.

Housing as a human right

The Foundation is currently working on the right to housing. We prepared a report to the United Nations Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee for consideration when the Committee examined the New Zealand Government's Periodic Report to the Committee. Download the report.

Court of Appeal overturns High Court decision

The Court of Appeal has ruled that the Immigration Service has the power to detain refugee status claimants on their arrival in New Zealand. This effectively overturns the High Court decision that the government's practice of routinely detaining asylum seekers was unlawful. You can download the Court of Appeal decision or the earlier High Court decision as well as the High Court Judge's earlier interim decision that those detained were entitled to make immediate bail applications.

Read the Foundation's press release about the issuing of the proceedings, or download the statement of claim .

We have also archived the reports from the NZ Herald .

The Foundation gratefully acknowledges the dedication and expertise of its legal team: Dr Rodney Harrison, QC, and Deborah Manning, with assistance from Margaret Lewis and Ryken and Associates