12-year plan for victims 'softened'

Official papers reveal the Government softened its plan to double to 12 years the limitation period for crime victims pursuing claims against prisoners.

A spokesman for Justice Minister Phil Goff said last night that the Government heeded Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade advice that such a measure put New Zealand at risk of breaching international law.

Papers released to National under the Official Information Act cite the ministry's concern that doubling the limitation period to 12 years could lead to New Zealand breaching the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Officials cited article 26 and the risk New Zealand may not accord "equality before the law and equal protection of the law".

The papers also reveal the Human Rights Commission advised that the proposals risked contravening international human rights standards.

The spokesman said the Government considered in the end that extending the period to 12 years added little to the policy.

However, the Prisoners and Victims Compensation Bill, which is before a select committee, still suspends the six-year limitation period for the time the person is imprisoned.

The spokesman said suspending the period while the offender was in jail left victims six years from the person's release to pursue a claim. In December, Mr Goff said the bill did not breach the Bill of Rights Act or international law.