ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
The Human Rights Commission has confirmed today it was not advocating for a change to hate speech laws.
“We are not proposing any changes to hate speech laws,” said Human Rights Commission spokeswoman Christine Ammunson.
“We are asking Police to collect “hate crime” data as part of their crime statistics. For example, if Jewish graves are desecrated we want Police to record that crime as more than just property damage.”
An open letter has been widely reported in the media, and the Commission hoped to read it. However, those who signed it have yet to forward it to us, so we are unable to comment on it said Ms Ammunson.
“There are a number of laws that are already in place that deal with speech and actions that attack people or groups on the basis of their personal characteristics. Courts and tribunals interpret these laws with reference to freedom of expression and other relevant legal principles” Ms Ammunson said.
Earlier, an Auckland University professor has written an open letter rejecting the "forceful silencing of dissenting or unpopular views" on university campuses.
The letter, co-ordinated by Auckland University of Technology's History Professor Paul Moon, was signed by 27 high-profile New Zealanders, including Dame Tariana Turia and Don Brash.
It is reported in the media that this letter was in response to Human Rights Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy's call for a review of "hate speech" law. It was also understood that police was suggesting it be looked at as a specific crime.
The Human Rights Commission has confirmed today it was not advocating for a change to hate speech laws.
“We are not proposing any changes to hate speech laws,” said Human Rights Commission spokeswoman Christine Ammunson.
“We are asking Police to collect “hate crime” data as part of their crime...
The Human Rights Commission has confirmed today it was not advocating for a change to hate speech laws.
“We are not proposing any changes to hate speech laws,” said Human Rights Commission spokeswoman Christine Ammunson.
“We are asking Police to collect “hate crime” data as part of their crime statistics. For example, if Jewish graves are desecrated we want Police to record that crime as more than just property damage.”
An open letter has been widely reported in the media, and the Commission hoped to read it. However, those who signed it have yet to forward it to us, so we are unable to comment on it said Ms Ammunson.
“There are a number of laws that are already in place that deal with speech and actions that attack people or groups on the basis of their personal characteristics. Courts and tribunals interpret these laws with reference to freedom of expression and other relevant legal principles” Ms Ammunson said.
Earlier, an Auckland University professor has written an open letter rejecting the "forceful silencing of dissenting or unpopular views" on university campuses.
The letter, co-ordinated by Auckland University of Technology's History Professor Paul Moon, was signed by 27 high-profile New Zealanders, including Dame Tariana Turia and Don Brash.
It is reported in the media that this letter was in response to Human Rights Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy's call for a review of "hate speech" law. It was also understood that police was suggesting it be looked at as a specific crime.
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