Mr President,
Allow me to extend the gratitude of Sweden to His Excellency Simon Power and his delegation for taking an active part in our dialogue here today. We would like to raise two issues:
First; The CEDAW committee has expressed concern about the continued prevalence of violence against women, particularly among Maori, Pacific and other minority women and the low rates of prosecution and convictions for such crimes . They stressed the need to identify the causes of violence against women. We have noted that your National Report, mentions several measures that have been taken to enhance the protection of women and children against domestic violence. We also know that you have worked on a National Strategy on domestic violence, but would recommend to increase those efforts with a view to combat all sorts of violence against women in New Zealand.
Second; We welcome that your presentation addressed the issue of equality and non-discrimination of Maori persons. Also in the national report, you describe a number of measures that have been taken to address these challenges. Sweden is concerned about the over-representation of Maori and Pacific persons in New Zealand’s prisons and in the country’s criminal justice system at large. We welcome the new measures that were mentioned in your presentation this morning and recommend to continue those efforts to ensure that people belonging to minority groups are not discriminated against in the criminal justice system.
Thank you, Mr President.