Rosslyn Noonan, New Zealand Human Rights Commission

After leading the New Zealand Human Rights Commission for the past ten years, Rosslyn Noonan formally ends her term as Chief Commissioner on 31 August 2011.

She joined the Commission having worked in Brussels with Education International in a role that saw her regularly engage with the United Nations Human Rights Commission, the International Labour Organisation and other intergovernmental agencies.

“However, when I started I had very little idea about how demanding and unique a position like this is,” Ms Noonan said.

“But it’s an immensely rewarding role because you have the opportunity to work across every section of the community. Most importantly, you can make a genuine difference in the lives of people.”

She cites two ground-breaking national inquiries conducted by the Commission during her term – one on accessible public transport for people with disabilities and one on the rights of transgender people – as initiatives that have delivered significant outcomes for marginalised groups in New Zealand.

“We learnt a great deal from those inquiries, most importantly the need to commit almost as many resources to the follow-up as to the inquiry itself,” she said.

“A report that gathers dust on the shelf isn’t going to help bring about practical changes in the day-to-day lives of people and, really, that’s what we should be striving to achieve.”

Ms Noonan said a similar ethos lies behind other aspects of the Commission’s work, such as resolving discrimination and human rights complaints through discussion and mediation and engaging the public in conversations on important issues around cultural diversity and fairness in the workplace.

She also expressed pride in the Commission’s pioneering approach to human rights community development, which seeks to empower individuals and communities in regional parts of the country to identify and address the human rights issues they face.

“These projects fill you with hope because they show that human rights can be a really powerful tool for change at the community level.”

A broader focus

On taking up the role, one of Ms Noonan’s primary goals was to help transform the Commission from a largely anti-discrimination body into a full national human rights institution.

“I’ve been very fortunate to be part of a team of Commissioners who, without exception, have been immensely committed people with huge amounts to offer in their areas of expertise,” she said.

“Working together, and with the support of great staff members, we have broadened the focus of the Commission and made some very considerable achievements.”

Some have been hard won. For example, after almost ten years of advocacy, the Commission now has a commitment from the New Zealand Government that every child of compulsory school age can go to school, regardless of their immigration status.

“This is the sort of result that keeps you motivated because access to education has such profound implications for children and their future.”

Ms Noonan said the Commission’s constructive approach to raising and addressing human rights issues had also helped bolster its reputation in the community and among national decision makers.

For example, following New Zealand’s ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, the Commission was given the role of coordinating a system of visits by independent monitoring teams to inspect places of detention.

It is also one of three independent bodies designated – again with a coordinating role – to monitor the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in New Zealand.

“I think this is a very clear demonstration of the practical role that the Commission can play to make our international human rights commitments a reality for people and communities here at home,” she said.

International engagement

National human rights institutions (NHRIs) provide a “critical link” between the international community and the national level, a point Ms Noonan has stressed during her time as Chairperson of the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.

Elected to the position in 2009, she successfully led a campaign to increase opportunities for NHRIs to participate in the work of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

“It is important that NHRIs are heard internationally because we offer authoritative, independent information and analysis about human rights issues on the ground,” Ms Noonan said.

“However, our main reason for engaging with the international human rights system is to support and enhance our work on the ground.”

She said that NHRIs that provide sound advice and work constructively with government, the private sector and the community can and do make a real impact.

“There is growing recognition that strong human rights foundations are not only important for peace and stability, but also for the sustainable economic development of countries.”

Relationships

Ms Noonan said a highlight of the last ten years has been the opportunity to work with colleagues from across the region through the Asia Pacific Forum.

“I’ve found it so inspiring and energizing to spend time with my friends and colleagues in the APF. I marvel at the work they do, often in very difficult circumstances,” she said.

“I also think we’ve been able to work together incredibly effectively across our geographic and cultural divides and, through sharing our experiences, motivate each other to achieve more in our own work.”

In the time ahead, Ms Noonan will continue to work with and advise NHRIs. She will also explore the idea of writing about NHRIs to record the experiences and insights of those working in the field.

“Of course, I could easily have stayed longer as Chief Commissioner because there is always more to do. However, I’m very confident that my successor will build on what the Commission has achieved so far.”