Pacific Human Rights Record To Be Reviewed

Pacific Human Rights Record To Be Reviewed

Government officials from the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Samoa and Solomon Islands have met in Suva for a two-day meeting ending today to discuss the upcoming human rights review of their countries by the United Nations Human Rights Council.

These countries will be among eight Pacific countries to present to the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) later this year and early in 2011. The Universal Periodic Review process is examining the human rights record of all 192 United Nations member States on an equal footing. The outcome of the review is based on submissions from States concerned, from civil society and a compilation of UN sources, and makes recommendations on areas of improvement for the promotion and protection of human rights.

The Pacific Regional Representative of the United Nations of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Matilda Bogner, said: “The Universal Periodic Review is a great opportunity for Pacific countries to highlight the areas where human rights improvements are needed and to request assistance from the United Nations and the international community. The UPR recognises that all members of the United Nations have obligations to further human rights even if specific international human rights treaties have not been ratified.”

The meeting was the first regional briefing that aimed to provide government officials with information on their obligation towards this process and how to prepare and engage with the UPR, and to understand the role and interest of other stakeholders in the process.

The meeting was facilitated with expertise provided from OHCHR’s Geneva Headquarters.

ENDS

© Scoop Media