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Post by Kiwi Frontline on Aug 12, 2019 16:56:02 GMT 12
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Post by Kiwi Frontline on Aug 12, 2019 16:56:28 GMT 12
RESTORING PRISONERS' RIGHT TO VOTE STILL NOT A PRIORITY - ANDREW LITTLE Taking away prisoners' rights to vote was part of a "fascist" culture the National-led Government fostered against criminals, Justice Minister Andrew Little said on Monday. His comments come in the wake of a new Waitangi Tribunal report which says people behind bars should be allowed to vote because the Electoral Act is inconsistent with the Treaty. Prisoners' rights to vote were revoked in 2010 by the National-led Government. Before then, prisoners serving sentences under three years - the length of a parliamentary term - were allowed to vote. Little said while it's not a priority, the combined impact of the Supreme Court ruling and the tribunal's report means something has to be done. "At some point we are going to have to address it... My view is there is something here I need to at least put in front of Cabinet, and Cabinet can decide what the next step can be.".... www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/08/restoring-prisoners-right-to-vote-still-not-a-priority-andrew-little.html |
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Post by Kiwi Frontline on Aug 12, 2019 16:57:14 GMT 12
‘POLITICAL DEMISE’ – ALLOWING PRISONERS TO VOTEThe Waitangi Tribunal report released today, found that the 2010 law change was inconsistent with Treaty principles and led to significant prejudice against Māori. SST National Spokesperson Jess McVicar says “We cannot forget that 71% of prisoners are incarcerated for homicide or other violent crime. They are in prison as punishment for their offending, to keep society safe from them and to try and rehabilitate them. The Victims of homicide do not get the right to ever vote again, whereas their offender does - when they are released!” Jess says voting will not assist in their possible rehabilitation, and it will not assist the survivors in their healing process. Jess believes it will see the political demise of the Government if they allow prisoners to vote, and would also cement the concerns that our system has become overly offender friendly. “I know there is an over-representation of Maori in prison, that is undeniable! But that is for no reason other than they committed a crime, and if they have been incarcerated for longer than the voting period, then chances are it is for a serious crime.”.... www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1908/S00160/political-demise-allowing-prisoners-to-vote.htm
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Post by Kiwi Frontline on Aug 12, 2019 16:57:44 GMT 12
PRISON VOTE BAN BREACHED TREATY The Waitangi Tribunal has found a law change that took the vote away from prisoners breaches the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. One of the consequences of the section was an increase in the already disproportionate removal of Māori from the electoral roll. The tribunal recommended the legislation is amended urgently to remove the disqualification of all prisoners from voting, irrespective of sentence; and that the Crown start a process immediately to enable and encourage all sentenced prisoners and all released prisoners to be enrolled in time for the next general election in 2020. It also wants to see a process to ensure Crown officials provide properly informed advice on the likely impact that any Bill, including members' Bills, will have on the Crown's Treaty of Waitangi obligations..... www.waateanews.com/waateanews/x_news/MjI0Mjk/Prison-vote-ban-breached-treaty
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