Call for Pacific human rights mechanism

A regional human rights mechanism to promote education and advocacy in the Pacific should be established to support countries that do not have a national human rights institution or active civil society, said delegates to an international conference held in Samoa last month.

More than 50 academics, jurists, activists attended the symposium, ‘Strategies for the Future: Protecting Rights in the Pacific’, held from 27 to 29 April 2008 in the capital Apia.

The APF Secretariat also participated in the conference discussions, which looked at issues including environmental rights, customary laws, women's rights, education, health, HIV and poverty, and how they can be addressed through innovative approaches at the national, regional and international level.

Pacific island governments were urged to translate commitments in the Pacific Plan into practical action by demonstrating the necessary political will to develop a regional human rights mechanism through the auspices of the Pacific Islands Forum and in co-operation with civil society.

At the conclusion of the conference a representative working group was established to draft and submit a proposal on a potential regional human rights mechanism for the Pacific Island leaders’ meeting in August 2009.

At the meeting the Attorney General of Samoa indicated his willingness to explore the establishment of a NHRI.

In association with the conference, the APF took part in a roundtable meeting organised by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Regional Office for the Pacific.

This meeting, to exchange information about Pacific human rights initiatives and activities, also included the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat, the Pacific Regional Rights Resource Team, the secretariat of the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police, the Association for the Prevention Against Torture and the Australian and New Zealand human rights commissions.

Prior to the conference, from 21 to 25 April, the APF provided training to the members of the Pacific Disability Forum and its women’s caucus on the new U.N. Convention of the Rights of People with Disabilities and, in particular, the role of NHRIs in monitoring government obligations under the Convention.