A/HRC/33/10
Introduction
1.
The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance
with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-fifth session from 2 to 13 May
2016. The review of Papua New Guinea was held at the 7th meeting on 6 May 2016. The
delegation of Papua New Guinea was headed by the Chargé d’Affaires, Permanent Mission
of Papua New Guinea to the United Nations, Fred Sarufa. At its 17th meeting, held on 11
May 2016, the Working Group adopted the report on Papua New Guinea.
2.
On 12 January 2016, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of
rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Papua New Guinea: Belgium, Namibia and
Viet Nam.
3.
In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution
5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents
were issued for the review of Papua New Guinea:
(a)
A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with
paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/25/PNG/1);
(b)
A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b)
(A/HRC/WG.6/25/PNG/2);
(c)
A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c)
(A/HRC/WG.6/25/PNG/3).
4.
A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, Germany,
Liechtenstein, Mexico, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United
States of America was transmitted to Papua New Guinea through the troika. These
questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review.
I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process
A.
Presentation by the State under review
5.
The delegation highlighted the nexus between recently adopted landmark
multilaterally agreed frameworks, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,
the Paris Agreement, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International
Conference on Financing for Development and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk
Reduction, and the clear recognition of the importance of safeguarding and advancing
fundamental human rights principles and values, which also served as catalyst to improving
the well-being and livelihoods of humanity.
6.
In the global multilateral agreements, Papua New Guinea clearly recognized that the
safeguarding and advancement of human rights was a cross-cutting issue.
7.
The delegation also recognized the country’s strengths and challenges in terms of
human rights protection, referring to the universal periodic review as a robust global checks
and balance mechanism.
8.
One of the fundamental differences between the first universal periodic review of
Papua New Guinea in 2011 and the second in 2016 was that its population had increased by
over seven and half million citizens. Hence, Papua New Guinea had the challenge of
ensuring that the inherent and fundamental human rights of all its citizens and expatriate
visitors alike were respected, upheld and promoted.
GE.16-12009
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