We cannot be complacent: Dr Manoni
“Addressing and preventing violence in all its forms against any individual – men, women, girls, boys, and communities is critical for development,” says Pacific Islands Forum, Deputy Secretary General, Dr Filimon
Human Rights
We are truly one nation, one people: Pride Cook Islands
Pride Cook Islands is elated to see the decade long active push for decriminalisation finally take place in Cook Islands Parliament. The Crimes (Sexual Offences) Amendment Bill 2023 was passed in Parliament on
Cook Islands Parliament decriminalises homosexuality
Cook Islands Parliament has repealed provisions in its Crimes Act that criminalised homosexuality. The Crimes (Sexual Offences) Amendment Bill 2023 which, among other things, aimed to decriminalise homosexuality was
Tougher anti-human trafficking bill passed in Palau
Palau’s House of Delegates passed on its third and final reading a Senate bill 11-73 to expand, update and strengthen the anti-human smuggling and human trafficking act. The bill amends the current law ‘to bring
If we value human rights and the rule of law, then we must fight for climate justice
Human life is sacred and every individual deserves an equal chance in life. We have a common desire, we all want to lead a free, fulfilling existence, with dignity, where our basic needs are met, with opportunities to
Establishment of Cook Islands Human Rights Institute gains momentum
Cook Islands Ombudsman Niki Rattle has returned from a conference in Fiji with fresh ideas as the office looks to establish a Human Rights Institute for the Cook Islands. The Pacific Regional Forum on National Human
Alleged prisons brutality condemned
Two of Fiji’s government ministers have condemned the alleged assault of a man at the Suva Remand Centre, who was hospitalised with severe injuries. Speaking at the Blackrock Camp, Home Affairs Minister, Pio
Cook Islands new Ombudsman to form human rights institute
Cook Islands new Ombudsman will head to Fiji to continue with efforts in forming a Human Rights Institute. Ombudsman Niki Rattle said the policy document to support the legislative amendments of the Ombudsman Bill to
West Papua: Army major faces life imprisonment
The Indonesian military says a tribunal has sentenced an army major to life in prison for his involvement in the murder of four Papuan civilians. Their mutilated bodies were found in the restive region in August. Benar
PNG MP condemns arrest of West Papua governor
Papua New Guinea’s Vanimo-Green River MP Belden Namah has condemned the manner in which West Papua Governor Lucas Enembe was arrested and detained by the Indonesian government. Namah, whose electorate borders the
Thirty years of the Vanuatu Women’s Centre: Her Story
On 30 August 1992, three ni-Vanuatu women were on a plane back home to Port Vila, after attending a workshop in Suva with grassroots women from across the Pacific region. Three days later, the Vanuatu Women’s Centre
