AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REPORT 2016/17

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS
Sexual and other physical violence against
women and girls remained high, despite wide
recognition of the problem and efforts to
address it. The Human Rights Committee
expressed concern about low rates of
reporting and prosecution of perpetrators. An
overhaul of domestic violence laws was
announced. After years of insufficient
funding, the government announced NZ$46
million (US$33 million) will be provided to
support services for victims of sexual
violence.
CHILDREN’S RIGHTS
The 2016 Technical Report on Child Poverty
found that nearly one in three New Zealand
children live below the poverty line. The
Human Rights Committee expressed concern
about the significant number of children
suffering physical and psychological abuse
and neglect. The government announced the
creation of a Ministry for Vulnerable Children,
to be implemented in 2017.
LEGAL, CONSTITUTIONAL OR
INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
By the end of the year, the government had
still not formally responded to
recommendations by the 2013 Constitutional
Advisory Panel to improve the Bill of Rights
Act 1990. Economic, social and cultural
rights continued to lack full protection in
domestic legislation, as recommended by the
Advisory Panel.
NICARAGUA
Republic of Nicaragua
Head of state and government: Daniel Ortega Saavedra
Conflict over land in the North Atlantic
Autonomous Region sparked violent attacks
against Miskitu Indigenous Peoples. Human
rights defenders continued to experience
threats and intimidation because of their
work. Indigenous and Afro-descendant
communities denounced violations of their
rights to consultation and free, prior and
informed consent in the context of the
development of the Grand Interoceanic
Canal. Communities and human rights
organizations expressed concern at the
potential negative impact of the Canal on
their lives. A total abortion ban remained in
place.
BACKGROUND
In November, Daniel Ortega of the Sandinista
Front for National Liberation (FSLN) was reelected
President for a third consecutive
term. Rosario Murillo, his wife, was elected
Vice-President for the first time. According to
media reports, the FSLN also increased their
representation in the Congress.
WOMEN’S RIGHTS
Impunity for gender-based violence against
women persisted. A local observatory run by
women’s rights organizations reported that
between January and October there had
been 44 gender-based killings of women, 30
of which remained unprosecuted.
Women living in poverty continued to be
the main victims of maternal mortality, and
Nicaragua had one of the highest teenage
pregnancy rates in the Americas region.
Abortion was banned in all circumstances,
even when vital to save the woman’s life.
GRAND INTEROCEANIC CANAL
The proposal to build the Grand Interoceanic
Canal continued to generate controversy, with
civil society organizations reporting a number
of potential human rights violations linked to
the project. According to local organizations,
if built, the Canal would lead to the eviction of
tens of thousands of people and would
directly affect the livelihoods of peasant
farmer communities, Indigenous Peoples
and others.
In April, members of the National Council
for the Defence of the Land, Lake and
National Sovereignty presented the National
Assembly’s First Secretary a citizensponsored
bill supported by nearly 7,000
signatories calling for the repeal of the law
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