A/HRC/18/18
51.
Hungary commended Papua New Guinea for the enactment of the Lakautim Pikinini
Act, which was aimed at providing all children in the country with wider protection. It
asked for information on measures taken to ensure the rights of persons internally displaced
because of natural disasters. Hungary expressed concern that the current legal framework
resulted in the creation of three categories of refugees and that informally adopted children
were forced to work long hours and deprived of education and medical treatment. Hungary
made recommendations.
52.
The United States of America was concerned about widespread violence against
women and girls; underrepresentation of women and non-Melanesians in the Parliament;
public corruption; human trafficking, including women and children subjected to forced
prostitution and involuntary domestic servitude; police misconduct, including excessive use
of force; severe abuse of detainees; and very poor conditions of prisons. It made
recommendations.
53.
Canada welcomed the Government’s consideration of the establishment of an
independent human rights commission and the adoption of the National Strategic
Plan - Papua New Guinea Vision 2050 to address low social and economic indicators. It
was, however, concerned at ongoing discrimination and violence against women and
children, including sexual violence, as well as persistent police and intertribal violence and
impunity, poor prison conditions and abuse of detainees. Canada made recommendations.
54.
Mexico welcomed legislative measures taken in the areas of health, child protection
and persons with disabilities. It also welcomed the existence of the Ombudsman
Commission and hoped that the initiative to create a human rights commission would
succeed. It asked about the vulnerability of indigenous peoples to natural disasters. It made
recommendations.
55.
Spain asked about measures taken to improve access to sanitation and drinking
water in view of epidemics of cholera and tuberculosis and the high incidence of
HIV/AIDS. Additionally, noting that Parliament had recently rejected a draft law aimed at
reserving a certain number of seats for women, it asked about action taken to guarantee
gender equality. It made recommendations.
56.
Chile congratulated Papua New Guinea for the wide consultation process undertaken
in the preparation of the national report and for the future establishment, in 2012, of a
human rights commission, in conformity with the principles relating to the status of
national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (Paris Principles). It
noted the challenges faced by Papua New Guinea in the areas of socio-economic
development and the environment, and highlighted the creation of a Government authority
to evaluate the consequences of climate change and development. It made
recommendations.
57.
Regarding the creation of the human rights commission, Papua New Guinea
explained that draft legislation had been proposed and was currently under review, although
there had been some delays. However, the delegation conveyed that the commitment to
establish this overdue and vital body was there.
58.
On question regarding the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Papua New Guinea explained that it had
presented its report in May 2009 and that currently it was working on creating a framework
whereby the Government would attempt to address various issues, including legislation.
The commitment to protecting the rights of women, the rights of children and, in short, the
rights of all, was guaranteed in the Constitution under the provision relating to equality.
However it was a question of implementation.
9
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents