Pacific Island countries

Although a number of human rights mechanisms do exist in the Pacific – such as safeguards in national constitutions, good governance structures and active civil society groups – concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of human rights protection in the region.

Over the last few years, there has been increasing dialogue about forms of human rights mechanisms for the Pacific.

The development of the Pacific Plan of Action for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Integration, endorsed by Pacific leaders in 2005, has given significant momentum to the issue.

A number of Pacific Island countries, including Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Palau, have taken preliminary steps to establishing national human rights institutions (NHRIs).

The government of Nauru is also considering options for a human rights body.

In 2009 representatives from 13 Pacific countries took part in a major regional workshop to discuss issues around the establishment of national human rights institutions in their island states.

The workshop – co-organised by the Asia Pacific Forum, the OHCHR and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat – engaged government representatives, parliamentarians, public officials and members of civil society on human rights protection systems in the Pacific.

It provided participants with the relevant knowledge and methodological tools developed by the United Nations for establishing NHRIs, with a particular focus on the standards set out in the Paris Principles.

It was also a forum to share lessons learned from NHRIs around the region, especially the experiences of NHRIs on small island states such as the Maldives and Timor Leste.

The APF will continue to work with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, OHCHR, governments and civil society groups to progress the establishment of NHRIs in the Pacific that comply with Paris Principles standards.