Human Rights Commission leads review into seclusion and restraint practices

The Human Rights Commission is leading a review into seclusion and restraint practices in New Zealand with funding from the United Nations.

“The Human Rights Commission and other organisations have repeatedly raised concerns about the way Government agencies detain some New Zealanders and keep them in solitary confinement or seclusion,” said Disability Rights Commissioner Paul Gibson.

“The case of Ashley Peacock – locked away in seclusion for more than 23 hours a day – is tragic and shocking. Humanely meeting the needs of detained individuals, including those who have complex mental health and psycho-social conditions, is a key area of concern in New Zealand.”

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has provided the Commission with funding to investigate seclusion and restraint practices in New Zealand. This will assist the Commission to follow up on recommendations made in 2013 by the United Nations Sub-Committee on the Prevention of Torture. The Commission is engaging an international expert in seclusion practices who will be assisting the Commission with this important project.

“Any organisation that holds people in detention – whether they be a District Health Board or a Prison – must protect the human rights of those in their care and should be open to the scrutiny of human rights monitoring experts,” said Mr Gibson.

“How we treat our most vulnerable tells us a lot about the kind of country we are are: Ashley and others like him deserve human rights just like every other New Zealander.”