Launch of the OHCHR Report on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders in the Pacific with a focus on Women Human Rights Defenders

Your Excellency, Ambassador of Switzerland and Special Envoy to the Pacific, Ms. Yasmine Chatila Zwahlen,

Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Regional Representative of OHCHR, Ms. Heike Alefsen,

Colleagues from UN agencies,

Human Rights Defenders,

Good morning from Kolonia, Federated States of Micronesia,

I am honored to be among you at the soft launch of this foundational OHCHR Report on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders in the Pacific, with its special focus on women human rights defenders from seven Pacific Island countries. This makes it all the more appropriate that we are launching this report during the 16 days of Activism for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

You are holding in your hands, a product, thanks to the support of the Government of Switzerland, which helps us shed light on the status, opportunities and challenges that are facing Human Rights Defenders across the Pacific. I understand that nearly 200 human rights defenders in seven countries contributed to its development and recommendations, which is a phenomenal effort. This report will help us to better identify entry points to amplify the voices of the human rights defenders and support their efforts.

As the Resident Coordinator for the new United Nations Multi-Country Office for Micronesia, which covers Palau, FSM, RMI, Nauru and Kiribati, I join you today to recognise, and express my support for the significant work done by Human Rights Defenders here in the Pacific, and who by their dedication and unwavering action demand respect for economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights of all.

I encourage you all to read the OHCHR Overview Report and to take note of the multi-dimensional nature of the challenges that Human Rights Defenders face, and which in turn, impact all of society. Human rights defenders are an essential part of a nation’s democratic process and ensure that independent checks and balances are maintained and functional. Perhaps this function is particularly necessary in the Pacific, with its fusion of traditional and modern governance systems based on the US or European systems.

It's against this backdrop that, upon reading the report, I was struck by the extremely high rates of violations against human rights defenders. If we consider affronts against Human Rights Defenders as a stepping-stone to dismantling the foundations of a democratic system, the full implications of this are rather alarming.

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished participants,

The report also identifies that the protection of human rights defenders is particularly challenging in areas related to transitional justice and the fight against impunity; women’s rights; the rights of LGBTI people, minorities and refugees; and, economic, social and cultural rights in relation to large-scale development projects that involve the environment and natural resources, such as the extractive industries. Considering the significance of climate security in the Pacific and the threat this poses on cultures and traditions, and the very livelihoods of the exact people the human rights defenders are trying to protect, it behoves us to monitor how the challenges in these areas, which are only expected to increase going forward, will have compound on those already being faced by human right’s defenders in the region. 

Women human rights defenders, a group focused on in the report, also tend to  confront risks that are gender-specific and therefore more exposed than other human rights defenders. Some countries - some societies - allow or turn a blind eye to social divisions, inequality and discriminatory customary laws that hinders the work of human rights defenders, in particular that of women human rights defenders. Similarly, the risks faced by Human rights defenders focusing on violence against women and girls, the incidence of which remains high in the Pacific, are considerable and a coherent all-of-society, all-of-government approach is needed to protect them.

Impunity for violence against women was highlighted by Women Human Rights Defenders as a prevalent issue in Pacific society, and contributes to an overwhelming sense of fear and injustice. This is a key area that we intend to highlight in the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, that is currently taking place around the Pacific and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.

This must not become a new normal, rather this is our opportunity to build back better.  This situation provides us with the opportunity to rethink previous processes and to improve them for the better; for all people..

Distinguished colleagues,

I encourage all Human Rights Defenders to become fully aware of their rights, roles and responsibilities under the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. The Declaration does not create new rights. These are enshrined in nine core international human rights instruments, which guarantee various rights and freedoms to human rights defenders that are critical for a safe and effective civic space.The Declaration is also referenced in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which all countries in the Pacific are trying to achieve.

The primary responsibility for the protection of Human Rights Defenders lies with Governments, as set out in the UN Declaration, who must take effective measures to ensure protection of Human Rights Defenders.

We are greatly encouraged that there has been increased ratification by Pacific States of core international human rights treaties and some progressive legal and institutional reforms. This will contribute to the enhanced protection of human rights and should also lead to a more enabling environment for human rights defenders.

The UN monitors the rate of ratification and reporting under international human rights mechanisms, as part of the UN’s human rights-based approach. We also monitor the establishment of national human rights institutions, as well as the reform of discriminatory legislation. This forms a part of the UN’s responsibility to hold Governments accountable and support the development of an enabling environment. It is therefore encouraging to see that the Pacific countries that recently completed the 3rd round of UPRs have requested UN support to support the implementation of recommendations.

I commend the Pacific region on the impressive work some countries and their civil societies have undertaken to create significant enabling legislation and policies while advocating strongly on behalf of those rights. This was visible at the recent COP26, even though climate change and environmental human rights defenders were outnumbered. Climate change impacts threaten to reverse development gains, and along with COVID-19 has a significant impact on the rights of the most vulnerable; those already in precarious situations such as women and persons with disabilities, children, older persons, LGBTI persons and indigenous people. We need to safeguard our communities from the real risk of ‘leaving them behind’.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

To tackle these issues, strengthening civic space and ensuring continued dialogue with civil society including human rights defenders, is key.

This report prepares the ground for a more informed policy dialogue with key stakeholders – Governments, regional bodies, international organisations, business and the private sector, civil society, development partners and the United Nations. This dialogue is important as it continues the age-old tradition of talanoa, to find good practical solutions.  This tradition will be needed to unite all to address climate change and to push towards the elimination of violence against women.

This OHCHR Report makes excellent recommendations for Governments, as the primary architects of national systems to protect human rights defenders. There is also an important role for Pacific regional institutions to play in promoting initiatives to provide wider regional support to the work of human rights defenders.

I also call on international organisations including UN agencies in the Pacific, to play a more strategic role in the protection and promotion of the rights of those who defend the rights of others; and in commending this report, I pledge my support and stand steadfast in support of the role of Human Rights Defenders in the Pacific Region.

Thank you for your attention. I wish you a productive session ahead.