Human Rights Act amendment to protect religious communities 'very disappointing', says Commission

Minister of Justice Kiri Allan said a new amendment to the Human Rights Act was in response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Christchurch terrorist attack. People’s religious beliefs will be protected under a new amendment to the Human Rights Act. The Government announced on Saturday that it will amend the current law “to make sure religious communities feel safe and welcome in New Zealand”. Opposition parties were also critical of the amendment and the Goverment’s proposed hate speech laws. ROBERT KITCHIN/Stuff Act Party leader David Seymour said the amendment was a significant restriction on free speech.