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.

Samoa established a national human rights institution in 2013, with support and assistance provided by the APF, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS). In 2015, a new leadership team was appointed to Fiji's Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission.

A number of Pacific Island countries, including Papua New Guinea and Palau have taken preliminary steps to establishing national human rights institutions (NHRIs). The governments of Nauru and the Solomon Islands are also considering options for a human rights body.

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