The Government of Vanuatu has taken an important step towards strengthening human rights protection with the launch of a scoping report on the establishment of a national human rights institution (NHRI), followed by a two-day writeshop to begin developing a national NHRI policy.

Launched in Port Vila in July 2026, the report marks the culmination of a process that began in 2019. Developed through a partnership between the Government of Vanuatu, the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF), the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), the report examines the desirability and feasibility of establishing a Paris Principles-compliant NHRI in Vanuatu.

The seven-year journey to the report's launch reflects the Government of Vanuatu's commitment to advancing human rights despite significant challenges. During this period, Vanuatu faced the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple tropical cyclones, earthquakes and other competing priorities in an already resource-constrained environment. Despite these setbacks, the Government remained committed to completing the process and ensuring that people across the country had an opportunity to contribute.

Drawing on extensive consultations with government agencies, civil society organisations, customary leaders, faith-based organisations and communities throughout Vanuatu, the report explores how a national human rights institution could best serve the needs and priorities of the people of Vanuatu. The consultations revealed strong support for the establishment of an NHRI.

Following the launch, members of Vanuatu's Human Rights Committee met over two days to consider the report's findings and begin drafting a national policy on the establishment of an NHRI. The writeshop was facilitated by the APF and SPC and brought together representatives from key government ministries and agencies to identify priorities and next steps.

As a network of more than 25 national human rights institutions across the Asia Pacific region, the APF recognises the important role that independent human rights institutions play in strengthening governance, accountability and human rights protection. More national human rights institutions in the Pacific would further strengthen regional cooperation, peer learning and collective responses to shared human rights challenges.

The APF thanks the Government of Vanuatu, SPC for its partnership, and all those who contributed to the consultations and development of the report and looks forward to continuing its support as Vanuatu considers the next steps.