The Human Rights Party is a small political party in New Zealand. It focuses on what it sees as social justice, believing that insufficient emphasis is placed on people's economic, social and cultural rights. The party believes that liberals are in error by pursuing only civil and political freedoms, saying that without a just society, the disadvantaged cannot exercise these freedoms.
In the 2002 elections, the Human Rights Party stood one candidate, Anthony van den Heuvel. He won 66 votes. In the 2005 elections, van den Heuvel stood again, and was joined by Anthony Ravlich. The two gained a total of 66 votes between them. In the 2008 election, the party stood three candidates, gaining 222 votes. One of its candidates, Anthony Ravlich, was subsequently convicted and fined $200 for refusing to file the required return of electoral expenses
The party contested the 2009 Mt Albert by-election, gaining 13 votes.
The party is standing a single candidate in the 2011 election: Anthony van den Heuvel in Auckland Central.
Famous quotes containing the words human, rights and/or party:
“I do not remember anything which Confucius has said directly respecting man’s “origin, purpose, and destiny.” He was more practical than that. He is full of wisdom applied to human relations,—to the private life,—the family,—government, etc. It is remarkable that, according to his own account, the sum and substance of his teaching is, as you know, to do as you would be done by.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Quite often ... these little guys, who might be making atomic weapons or who might be guilty of some human rights violation ... are looking for someone to listen to their problems and help them communicate.”
—Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter, Jr.)
“The best number for a dinner party is two—myself and a dam’ good head waiter.”
—Nubar Gulbenkian (1896–1972)