Human Rights Commission
Media Release
09 July 2007

Paper examines human rights issues in Pacific nations

Consultation with a range of Pacific nations has identified the need and desire for a more comprehensive focus on human rights.

The paper Pathways for Pacific States published by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat with the assistance of the New Zealand Human Rights Commission was based on visits to Tuvalu, Niue and Samoa.

In Samoa one respondent said there was a need for greater human rights protections to speak for the “…voiceless people in society, to prick people’s consciences and as a cheaper alternative to legal action.”

The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Greg Urwin urged Pacific leaders to make use of the paper as an important guide for how the recognition of international human rights conventions served to improve governance.

“This paper will be a tool that will help Pacific states achieve the goals of sustainability, quality governance and the observance of human rights as outlined in the vision of the Pacific Plan endorsed in 2005,” he said.

The paper found that the Pacific region faces significant human rights issues. These included discrimination, protection and equal treatment for those living with HIV/AIDS, violence against women and children and how substandard housing and water supply threatened the right to health.

At the same time the effectiveness of existing human rights mechanisms was hampered by a lack of funding and coordination, communication problems and the need for more awareness of international human rights standards.

New Zealand Human Rights Commissioner Joy Liddicoat said, “Nevertheless there are already national human rights institutions in the region that meet international standards. There is a good foundation to build on and to ensure that organisations reflect the traditional strengths of Pacific cultures.”

She said these included the importance of family, a cooperative approach to economic and social activity and the resilience gained from living in small populations spread over vast distances.

Pathways for Pacific States can be downloaded by clicking ­­­­here

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat website: http://www.forumsec.org/

ENDS