Kiribati became the first country in the region to endorse the Pacific Members of Parliament Denarau 2015 Declaration on Human Rights and Good Governance at a recent parliament sitting at the end of May.

“This Honourable Maneaba ni Maungatabu [Parliament] acknowledges the Declaration released at the Pacific Members of Parliament consultation in January 2015 in Denarau, Fiji and pledges full support to the Declaration and commits to uphold and fulfil the protection of the human rights of her citizens and the conduct of Good Governance,” the motion stated.

Speaking in parliament in support of the declaration, Honourable Vice President of Kiribati, Ms Teimwa Onorio challenged all members of Parliament to make a commitment to the declaration and human rights as a whole.

Honourable Ms Onorio also acknowledged the many contributions of various partners in advancing human rights in Kiribati with mention of the support by the Regional Rights Resource Team of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).

In January 2015, members of parliament (MPs) from 11 countries across the Pacific region affirmed their commitment to good governance and human rights with the signing of a formal declaration.

The MPs echoed the Pacific leaders’ vision in the new Framework for Pacific Regionalism (2014), calling for a Pacific region ‘known for its quality of governance and respect for human rights’ in a statement called the 2015 Denarau Declaration on Human Rights and Good Governance.

The MPs noted the progressive steps taken by Pacific governments in the ratification of core human rights treaties, including the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).  SPC RRRT has planned this year to carry out a number of National MPs Consultations as follow up to the Regional Consultation and at the request of Governments to progress human rights, good governance and sustainable development.

SPC RRRT is funded by the Australian Government, the European Union and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Visit our website to download a copy of the declaration.

Media contact

For further information, please contact Jilda Shem, SPC RRRT’s Communication Officer on phone +679 330 5994 or email [email protected].

Suva – A high-level delegation from Kiribati has taken part in a mock human rights reporting session in Suva, Fiji, to prepare for the country’s second Universal Periodic Review by the United Nations in Geneva.

Kiribati will be reviewed on 19 January 2015 by the Human Rights Council to assess the Pacific nation’s performance in protecting and promoting human rights, including progress made in implementing recommendations from its first review in 2010.

The Kiribati delegation, led by the Minister for Women, Youth and Social Affairs, the Hon Tangariki Reete, and the Attorney General, the Hon Titabu Tabane, attended the mock session yesterday which was staged by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community's Regional Rights Resource Team (SPC RRRT) in partnership with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

The Universal Periodic Review is a key mechanism which allows all UN Member States to declare action taken to improve human rights in their countries and to fulfil their human rights obligations.

SPC RRRT Senior Trainer, Romulo Nayacalevu, said the review is important because it exposes countries to best practice and enables them to seek technical assistance from organisations such as SPC to meet their commitments and obligations under international human rights treaties.

“Positive developments and challenges are discussed among countries while dialogue with civil society and the international community is enhanced, often resulting in prioritising action to address the crucial human rights issues on the ground,” Mr Nayacalevu said.

SPC RRRT supports all 22 Pacific countries and territories to build a culture of human rights, and assists nation states to commit to, and observe, international human rights standards. This work is funded by the Australian Government and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

For more information, please contact Jilda Shem, SPC RRRT Communications Officer, on +679 330 5994 or email [email protected]

Suva – To mark International Human Rights Day today, 10 December 2014, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) is partnering with government ministries in the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu, to present individuals and organisations with Human Rights Awards.

The theme for the awards is ‘human rights in everyday life’, which covers many aspects of our daily lives, including rights to food, shelter, education, health, protection, freedom of expression and many more.

The Pacific is not immune to human rights violations, with violence against women a critical concern for the region.  According to studies by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with SPC, the Pacific region has some of the highest rates of violence against women in the world.

National studies in 2009 and 2010, in Samoa, Kiribati, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu, indicate that the rates of intimate partner violence are as high as 60 to 70%. Inadequate laws and policies fail to protect women and their families, and impact adversely on the development of a country.

At a recent SPC-RRRT regional lawyers’ consultation, former high court judge in Fiji, Madam Mere Pulea, encouraged lawyers of the region to ‘be at the forefront to challenge inequalities and discrimination faced by women, and to play a critical role for the benefit of society.’

SPC RRRT won the prestigious UNICEF Maurice Pate Award in 1998 for its pioneering work in promoting human rights education for women and children in the Pacific. Since then, SPC RRRT has been offering the Pacific Human Rights Awards to encourage the development of a human rights culture that will protect the rights and promote the well-being of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.

The 2014 national awards include:

Kiribati

Rikiaua Takeke

Special recognition for highlighting the right to religion through the documentation of Catechist Tikarerei Takirua’s life story of service to the people of Kiribati.

Selaina Tekonnang

Special recognition for highlighting the right to marriage and to be free from violence through poetry.

Wayne Uan

Special recognition for highlighting the right to participate in any community activities without distinction of any kind such as sex, colour, race, religion or other status.

Samoa

Aoga Fiamalamalama

Special recognition for promoting the right of a child to education in Samoa, including children with disabilities, through role play.

Deborah Jacinta Leu’o

Special recognition for promoting human rights in Samoa through creative drawing.

Faaolo Utumapu-Utailesolo

Special recognition for highlighting the rights of persons with disabilities through the documentation of her personal life story.

Hemiriah Ioane

Special recognition for highlighting the right to education through creative writing.

Nu’ufou Isaia

Special recognition for promoting the right to education for children with disabilities in Samoa, through visual art.

Piu Maneralokina Filipo

Special recognition for highlighting human rights through creative writing.

Samoa Fa’afafine Association

In recognition of the contribution to the promotion of the human rights of marginalised groups, including Fa’afafine and LGBTI groups in Samoa.

Samoa National Youth Council

Special recognition for promoting the right to be heard and of freedom of expression in Samoa through audio visual arts.

Samoa Returnees Charitable Trust

Contribution to advancing the right to freedom from discrimination of Samoan deportees rehabilitating in the community and in community outreach programmes.

Sinalaua Papatoetoe Tupolo

Special recognition for highlighting the right to education, respect and equality through the documentation of her personal life story.

Taiese Taiese

Special recognition for highlighting the right of children to social protection through creative writing.

Tiapapata Art Centre

Special recognition for advancing the right to develop life skills and the right to participate in cultural life, through the Breakthrough initiative, aimed at supporting people affected by trauma and abuse.

Solomon Islands

Br. Gorge Van Der Sant

Special recognition for contribution to advancing the right to education for young persons with disabilities in Solomon Islands.

Community Based Rehabilitation Unit

Special recognition for contribution to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities in Solomon Islands.

Tonga

Women and Children Crisis Centre

Special recognition for advancing the rights of girls in Tonga to be free from domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Talitha Girls

Special recognition for highlighting the rights of single mothers to education and to be respected with equal opportunity.

Elenga Mailangi

Special recognition for highlighting the right to employment and family support in Tonga.

Tuvalu

Fusi Alofa Association

Special Recognition for contribution to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities in Tuvalu.

Talafai Youth Group

Special recognition for contribution to advancing the rights of children to education through support to pre-school building construction on the island of Nanumago, Tuvalu.

SPC RRRT works to build a culture of human rights, and assists nation states to commit to, and observe, international human rights standards. SPC RRRT is a programme under the Social Development Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and is funded by the Australian Government.

For more information, please contact Jilda Shem, SPC RRRT Communications Officer, on +679 330 5994, or email [email protected]

Wednesday 2 Oct 2014, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Suva, Fiji –

Since 2013, four Pacific Island countries: Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Samoa, passed domestic violence legislation to protect their citizens from violence against women and girls, which is prevalent in these countries and around the region.

Violence against women has broad and lasting impact on the well-being of women and girls, families and communities, including on the emotional, physical and psychological well-being of the survivors. Domestic violence also impacts national development by creating a burden on national social systems and services such as health care, police, legal aid, crisis centres and other response services. It affects household incomes when family members miss work as a result of violence, contributing to negative impacts on national incomes. Violence against women and within the family is a human rights violation, depriving women and children of their right to a safe and secure family life.

In Kiribati, the government has taken crucial steps to support a first training workshop for the stakeholders involved in implementing its Te Rau N Te Mweenga Act (Family Peace Act for Domestic Violence), which aims to ensure the safety and protection of all people, including children, who experience or witness domestic violence. The Act, passed by parliament in April 2014, recognises that domestic violence, in all its forms, is unacceptable behaviour and a crime.

The one-week training workshop coordinated by the Kiribati Ministry of Women, Youth and Social Affairs (MWYSA) in partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community Regional Rights Resource Team (SPC RRRT) addressed the importance of human rights and its application to the role of the relevant agents such as the police, school authorities, counsellors, health providers and social service providers in implementing the Act. In addition, the training provided an opportunity for the implementing agents to analyse the Te Rau N Te Mweenga Act and to get a better understanding of their roles as they prepare for the enforcement of the legislation.

Police Inspector Eribwebwe Takirua shared the observation that the training had changed attitudes of police to become advocates against domestic violence.

Teoraiti Tetoa, Principal Nursing Officer and Gender Based Violence Coordinator for the Kiribati Ministry of Health, said that as a result of the training the health service providers now have a better understanding of their roles.

Sister Rosarin Talaua, Director of the Kiribati Crisis Centre, added that it is important for the social service providers to know how to advise their clients.

Romulo Nayacalevu of SPC RRRT said, ‘The training was responding to the passing of the Kiribati government’s new domestic violence legislation, the Te Rau N Te Mweenga Act. The process has involved many years of advocacy for a legislative response to the issue of domestic violence, and the government is to be commended for its efforts in passing the law earlier this year after widespread consultation throughout Kiribati. Today we see the eagerness in the key stakeholders including the police, health, education officials and community advocates to ensure the successful implementation of Te Rau N Te Mweenga.’

It is anticipated that this training will pave the way for a series of training workshops in the outer islands targeting police officers and other key players so that they can also execute their roles and duties as stipulated in the Act. The Te Rau N Te Mweenga Actwill become effective later this year when the President assents to the Bill.

SPC has been providing support to the Government of Kiribati to implement the national approach to support the elimination of sexual and gender-based violence since 2011, as well as earlier assistance in 2009 in supporting a task force of advocates and providing a set of drafting instructions on violence against women legislation that is compliant with global human rights standards.

For more information, contact Jilda Shem, SPC RRRT Communications Officer on +679 330 5994 or email [email protected].

Photo caption: Kiribati stakeholders at the workshop in Tarawa last week.

A coalition of regional partners, including the Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s Regional Rights Resource Team (SPC RRRT), UNDP Pacific Centre, Pacific Youth Council and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) will be convening a Youth and civil society dialogue to be held from the 23-27th of June in Nadi, Fiji.

SPC RRRT is pleased to invite one representative from Civil Society and one youth representative from each of the following Pacific Island Countries: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu

Download the conference announcement below for further details and the application form if you are interested to represent your country. Email us your completed form as soon as possible.

SPC_meeting_announcement_Regional_Youth_and_CSO_Dialogue_1.pdf

The SmalI Island States Officers representing Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Marshall Islands (front row, right to left) in Suva last week discussing their human rights responsibilities

Monday 3 March 2014, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) – Suva, Fiji.

A human rights training workshop for Small Island States Officers (SIS)/Human Rights Officers (HROs) of Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, and Marshall Islands last week highlighted the added value of treaty reporting by the governments of the region.

The role of SIS/HRO includes representing the country in the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) Small Island States group and acting as human rights focal point under a funding agreement with the European Union.

Mr Nayacalevu added that human rights reporting also provides the opportunity to share best practice among states and support cooperation in the promotion and protection of human rights, which makes it a great tool for development.

The weeklong workshop jointly facilitated by SPC RRRT, PIFS and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and partners UN Women and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) introduces the HROs to human rights concepts, human rights systems at the national, regional and international level and their role in building national human rights coordination systems to support national human rights reporting. Two key outputs of the training were the development of common core documents to assist in harmonising reporting obligations and developing terms of references to assist Pacific governments in the creation of National Human Rights Coordination Committees to coordinate treaty reporting at the national level. The HRO’s were also trained on how to assist their governments on the implementation of human rights obligations arising from the country’s ratified human rights treaties.

Holly Yamada, SIS and HRO for Palau, was grateful for the opportunity to attend her first ever human rights training workshop:

David Teaabo, SIS and HRO for Kiribati, is empowered to support the strengthening of existing national human rights committees in Kiribati to ensure availability of key information from relevant government ministries and civil society for national reporting purposes:

Last week’s training was made possible through funding support provided under the European Union–PIFS Human Rights Project 2012–2015. On 20 February 2012 the European Union and PIFS signed a contribution agreement with a value of 1 million Euros to support Pacific Island countries in their ratification and implementation of international human rights treaties and the Rome Statute. SPC RRRT is an implementing partner of this project.

The PIFS Small Island States group includes Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Marshall Islands and Tuvalu.

For more information, please contact Jilda Shem, SPC RRRT Communications Officer on +679 330 5994 or email [email protected].

Monday 10 June 2013, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Suva, Fiji –

A four-day regional consultation on violence against women legislation in the Pacific, organised by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community Regional Rights Resources Team (SPC RRRT), is currently underway this week in Nadi, Fiji.

In her remarks at the opening ceremony of the consultation, guest speaker Shamina Ali, Coordinator of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, called for gender specific domestic violence laws in the Pacific as a vital way forward in addressing discrimination against women in the region.

A good example of gender specific domestic violence law, Ms Ali added, is India’s Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act of 2005. The act guarantees a women’s right to reside in the matrimonial or shared household, irrespective of whether she has any title or rights in the property.

Other presentations during the opening ceremony reaffirmed the findings of national surveys showing the high prevalence of violence against women in the Pacific. The recent research shows rates of 68% in Kiribati, 60% in Vanuatu, 64% in Solomon Islands, 46% in Samoa and 61% in Fiji.

Participants were also reminded that legislation is only one aspect of the work needed to address violence against women; it is equally important to ensure resources are available for the implementation of the laws and to monitor progress.

Activities on the agenda for this week’s consultation include reviewing legislation to address violence against women in the region and lessons learnt from national committees and consultations, sharing lessons on law reform strategies undertaken in countries and developing plans to progress legislative law reform in the Pacific.

This consultation is the 5th organised since 2009 and is part of SPC RRRT’s programme to develop and support comprehensive integrated legislation that addresses all forms of violence against women. The aim is to build capacity at the national level to advocate for improved legislation through the development of appropriate policy papers and comprehensive legislative reviews encompassing all aspects of legislative change that affect women suffering from violence.

The consultation this week is being attended by government and civil society stakeholders including legal drafters from Cook Islands, Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. This consultation and work to support legislative change in addressing violence against women is supported by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

For more information, please contact Jilda Shem, SPC RRRT Communications Officer on +679 330 5994 or email [email protected].

Wednesday 5 June 2013, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Suva, Fiji –

A three-day regional consultation for judges and senior magistrates from across the Pacific, organised by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community Regional Rights Resources Team (SPC RRRT), took place this week in Brisbane, Australia.

The consultation focused on judicial independence, rule of law, and human rights issues in the contemporary Pacific context. They included sexual- and gender-based violence, disability inclusiveness and impacts of the Convention of the Rights of the Child on adoption.

The consultation serves as a forum for judges and magistrates from the Pacific region to share their professional experiences, with the aim of expanding their knowledge of human rights issues and best practices in the region.

The keynote address at the opening ceremony on Monday was delivered by Justice Logan of the Federal Court of Australia. The Pacific judges and magistrates were later hosted to a cocktail reception by the Chief Justice of Queensland, the Honourable Paul de Jersey, and judges of the Supreme Court of Queensland.

The consultation was attended by judges and magistrates from Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu.

SPC RRRT has supported the work of regional judges and magistrates for over a decade, mainly focusing on the promotion and application of international human rights treaties and universal standards in Pacific courts. This work supports state obligations derived through the ratification of international human rights treaties and the application and domestication of international human rights standards in Pacific courts.

The regional consultation this week is generously supported by AusAID.

For more information, please contact Jilda Shem, SPC RRRT Communications Officer on +679 330 5994 or email [email protected]

Lay magistrates from Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu at the sub-regional lay magistrates' consultation on human rights, Novotel, Suva, Fiji

A five-day sub-regional lay magistrates’ consultation on human rights, organised by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community Regional Rights Resources Team (SPC RRRT), was officially opened yesterday at the Novotel Hotel in Suva, Fiji.  

Lay magistrates and court officers from Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu are attending the consultation.

The main objective of the consultation is to enhance the knowledge of participants on human rights law and to provide an opportunity for participants to consider and discuss their roles in protecting the human rights of vulnerable groups, such as women, children and persons with disabilities, and ensuring that they have full and effective access to justice.

The Honourable Mere Pulea, SPC RRRT consultant, opened the consultation, remarking, 'This is one initiative to help us out of the transitional phase to be human rights compliant and to set the benchmark for ourselves – the standards of access to justice that meet with international best practices.'

Mr Aru Fredington from Vanuatu , one of the participants, stated that this was the first training on human rights and the law he had attended, 'I work as the court clerk for Torba province, an isolated province in the northern part of Vanuatu, and my office is usually people’s first experience of the justice system when they come with their land problems, child maintenance cases and family protection order applications. I am really grateful to SPC RRRT for this opportunity to learn more about human rights and go back to provide services that are in line with international human rights standards.'

At the end of the consultation, it is anticipated that the participants will have increased their knowledge and skills in applying a human rights-based approach to access to justice and also their technical knowledge with respect to pending and recent national legislation aimed at combating violence against women.  In addition, they will have more knowledge of national efforts to protect and promote the rights of person with disabilities and will have explored how this knowledge can be expanded via a national training programme in 2014.The consultation is supported by the Government of Australia.

For more information, please contact Jilda Shem, SPC RRRT Communications Officer on +679 330 5994 or email [email protected]

Joshko Wakaniyasi of IDEA – a programme advocating for jobs for persons with disabilities in mainstream employment in Fiji – will be a recipient of a 2013 Pacific Human Rights Award

Four organisations and two individuals from the region will be honoured with Pacific Human Rights Awards today.

The courageous and innovative individuals and organisations whose stories have been documented in various forms for this year’s theme – human rights in everyday Pacific life – will receive their awards at a ceremony at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, FBE conference room from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

This year’s awardees include Joshko Wakaniyasi, Director of Fiji’s Spinal Injury Association; Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC); the Rainbow Theatre Group of Vanuatu; Teta Etau of Kiribati’s School for Disabled; Chelcia Gomese; and Rowena Wemahanua of Solomon Islands.

An excited Joshko Wakaniyasi, who will be receiving the award for outstanding contribution to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities to employment in Fiji through the IDEA Programme (Include Disability Employ this Ability), is ever grateful to the Regional Rights Resource Team of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community for the recognition of their work in Fiji.

Since taking the reigns of the Spinal Injury Association in 2007, Joshko Wakaniyasi transformed a struggling, cash-strapped organisation into an efficient provider of crucial medical supplies, equipment and support services for its members. His amiable yet determined approach when negotiating with private sponsors, donors and overseas charities has secured the delivery of seven shipments of wheelchairs, crutches, walking frames, toilet and shower chairs and other aids to support people with disabilities and their carers in Fiji.

The Pacific Human Rights Awards are presented biennially to reward and celebrate outstanding work in human rights in the region and are an opportunity not only to give public recognition to the achievements of the recipients, but also to send a clear message to human rights defenders region wide that the Pacific community is grateful for, and supports, their tireless efforts to promote human rights for all.

The awards are open to all Pacific Island nationals who have demonstrated a high degree of commitment to social justice and human rights, as well as having made significant contributions to human rights promotion or protection in their countries or the region through an extended period of dedicated work (paid or voluntary).

In 1998, SPC RRRT won the prestigious UNICEF Maurice Pate Award for its pioneering work in promoting human rights education for women and children in the Pacific. Since then, SPC RRRT has been offering the Pacific Human Rights Awards to encourage the development of a human rights culture that will protect the rights and promote the well-being of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.

The Pacific Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT) is a programme under the Education, Training and Human Development Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).  RRRT provides training, technical support, policy and advocacy advice in human rights to promote social justice and good governance throughout the Pacific region.  RRRT receives core support from Australian Aid and additional project support from UN Women and other donor partners.

The 2013 awards include;

IDEA (Include Disability Employ this Ability) Program, Fiji

Outstanding contribution to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities through the IDEA Program in Fiji

APTC Australia-Pacific Technical College

Outstanding contribution to advancing the rights to housing and employment on Upolu Island, Samoa, after Cyclone Evan in 2012

Rainbow Theatre Group, Vanuatu

Outstanding contribution to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities in Vanuatu through theatre

Kiribati School for the Disabled

Outstanding contribution to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities at the School for the Disabled in Kiribati

Chelcia Gomese of Solomon Islands

Special recognition for highlighting the right to education through creative writing

Rowena Wemahanua of Solomon Islands

Special recognition for highlighting human rights through creative drawing

For more information, please contact Jilda Shem, SPC RRRT Communications Officer on +679 330 5994 or email [email protected]