Racism rife in crisis: Asians cop it
Commission also receives complaints about ethnic funding and closed toilets
Racism toward Chinese and Asian people has been a steady source of human rights complaints during the Covid-19 pandemic — but some people have also complained about funding going to Pacific and Ma¯ori communities.
The Human Rights Commission says it’s received more than 300 complaints and inquiries related to the Covid-19 pandemic this year.
Among the complainants are people who have taken issue with funding provided to Ma¯ori and Pacific communities, saying that other ethnic groups are missing out.
The Government announced in April it was putting $17 million toward helping Pacific communities during the Covid-19 crisis, and it had previously announced $30m would be put toward Ma¯ori health services.
People being discriminated against when seeking housing based on their health, and the closure of public toilets for disabled people during the lockdown, were also among the 311 coronavirus-related inquiries and complaints the commission had received since January 1.
Concerns have previously been raised about toilet closures, with reports of beachgoers defecating in sand dunes after councils declined to reopen toilets when the country moved to level 3.
On Sunday, Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon said there had been a spike in complaints about racism during the pandemic, particularly from Chinese and other Asian people.
He was worried students of Asian descent would face bullying on returning to school.
“Covid-19 is the most serious human rights emergency Aotearoa New Zealand has experienced since 1945,” Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Saunoamaali’i Karanina Sumeo said.
Measures taken during a national emergency had to be “lawful, proportionate, fair, just, non-discriminatory, and subject to independent scrutiny”.
Saunoamaali’i said the coronavirus was not a reason to discriminate against people because of their race, colour, ethnic or national origins, disability, gender, age, health status or on any other grounds.
The Human Rights Commission would continue to monitor and review potential human rights breaches and advise the Government, businesses and other groups about human rights and the Treaty of Waitangi.
“We are committed to ensuring that violation of rights of New Zealanders is heard and addressed by duty bearers and decision-makers.”
The Human Rights Commission has launched a website, covid19.hrc. co.nz, to help people understand their rights during the pandemic. People can also report concerns related to human rights and Covid-19.