UNCROC Concluding Observations

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
In its concluding observations on the NZ government’s 5th report on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the UN Human Rights Committee was concerned that NZ should strengthen its efforts to combat child abuse, by improving mechanisms for early detection and the encouragement of reporting of suspected and actual abuse.

Convention Against Torture (CAT)
In its concluding observations on the NZ government’s 5th report on the Convention Against Torture (CAT) the UN Committee on Torture was particularly concerned about juvenile justice arrangements in NZ. It recommended the extension of youth court jurisdiction up to age 18 (currently 17). It criticised the low age of criminal responsibility (10). It raised concerns that there were inadequate detention facilities, which meant young people were being held with adults.

In its draft 6th report on CAT, the NZ government accepted that young people were being detained in police cells, but defended its position on the age of criminal responsibility and on limiting the jurisdiction of youth court.
Click this link to read the draft 6th report


2nd Universal Periodic Review of NZ
Many of the recommendations made during the UPR  related to children’s rights, particularly to child poverty.

Click UPR under Children’s Rights in NZ to read the recommendations and other related documents.