Petition Update: Expanding the Fight for Prisoner Rights
Thank you to everyone who has signed, shared, and spoken out. Every voice added to this petition proves that New Zealanders — and international supporters — will not stay silent while human rights are eroded in our prisons.
What’s Happened Since Our Last Update
Human Rights Commission Response: The Commission confirmed they received the complaint and explained their limited role under the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT). They advised that the Ombudsman is the agency best positioned to investigate and enforce change.
Our Reply: We clarified that this is not an isolated complaint — it is about every person currently managed under the PERD, PERU, and TNOC frameworks. These regimes strip away basic rights such as safe complaint mechanisms, fair legal access, regular family contact, and access to rehabilitation pathways.
Ministerial Acknowledgement: The Minister of Corrections’ office has acknowledged these concerns and has referred the complaint for investigation by the Department of Corrections.
Community Support: The petition continues to grow, with more people sharing their experiences and calling for transparency, oversight, and accountability.
Why This Matters
These frameworks allow Corrections to operate with near-total secrecy, often subjecting people to indefinite punishment without due process or a clear pathway out. This isn’t about a single case — it’s a systemic issue that impacts every person placed under these regimes.
What You Can Do
Share the petition with your networks, community groups, and social media.
Add your story if you or someone you know has been affected by these systems.
Stay informed — with policy reviews underway, public pressure is crucial to ensure changes protect human rights instead of entrenching harmful practices.
Thank you for continuing to stand with us. Together, we are building a stronger, louder call for transparency, accountability, and humanity in New Zealand’s justice system.
[Sign and Share the Petition Now 🔗]