Impunity Watch: Oceania

Three Boats, Three Days, Controversy Continues Over Asylum Seekers

By Eileen Gould
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

CANBERRA, Australia –   A boat carrying forty-eight asylum seekers was intercepted by Australia’s navy this past Wednesday off the north-west coast of Western Australia, near the Ashmore Islands.

The Ashmore Guardian vessel, working under the Border Protection Command, stopped the boat around 9AM on Wednesday.

These individuals have been taken to Christmas Island for mandatory health, national security and identity checks. 

In the last week alone, border authorities seized a total of three boats carrying asylum seekers and crew.  This past Monday, the navy intercepted eleven asylum seekers near the Ashmore Islands.  Again, on the following day, the navy intercepted an additional thirty asylum seekers and three crew members, who were attempting to enter Australia. 

This brings the total number of asylum seeker boats arriving in Australia to sixty-one in 2009.

Border protection take asylum seekers to Christmas Island for health, safety and identity checks (Photo: Courtesy of ABC News).

Tony Abbott, the federal Opposition Leader, accused Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of being soft on border protection and losing control of the nation’s borders. 

In the future, Mr. Abbott says that the navy or coastguard may turn around boats carrying asylum seekers at sea, an approach endorsed by Mr. Rudd before the last election. 

Even though taking such action may potentially violate international law, Abbott stated that “[t]his is something that is being done in the past and something that’s being done by comparable countries and if we are to fully protect our borders we can’t rule it out.”

This approach has been rejected by Home Affairs Minister Brendan O’Connor. 

Mr. O’Connor supports the Government’s current policy, which involves taking intercepted asylum seekers to the detention facility on Christmas Island, where they remain while waiting for their refugee status to be processed.

In November 2007, Prime Minister Rudd called for tough measures to handle immigration, claiming that turning the boat back at sea is an effective deterrent.

At that time, he stated, “Deterrence is effective through the detention system but also your preparedness to take appropriate action as the vessels approach Australian waters on the high seas.”

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser has voiced criticism of both Mr. Abbott and Mr. Rudd. 

Referring to the standoff with the Sri Lankan asylum seekers this past October, Mr. Fraser stated that the Government’s handling of the situation “doesn’t do Australia’s image as a humane, civilized, compassionate community much good.”

In light of this past week’s events, the Government’s border protection policy has come is being reviewed.

According to the Minister for Home Affairs, Brendan O’Connor, the Government has spent more than $650 million to implement a strategy to prevent successful people smuggling.

For more information please see:
The Australian – Tony Abbott boat plan ‘miserable’ – 01 January 2010

The Daily Telegraph – More boat people intercepted – 31 December 2009

Sydney Morning Herald – Turn asylum seeker boats back: Abbott – 31 December 2009

ABC News – Another asylum seeker boat intercepted – 30 December 2009

Concern of Escalating Conflict in West Papua After Death of Kelly Kwalik

By Cindy Trinh
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

MANOKWARI, West Papua - There is growing concern about the possibility of escalating conflict in the Papua region of Indonesia in the wake of the death of the Free West Papua Movement leader, Kelly Kwalik.

Kwalik was the leader of Papua's separatist movement and has been fighting for Papuan independence for the last 30 years. He was on Indonesia's most wanted list for many of those years. 

Kwalik was conducting a raid in the Papuan town of Timika. He led a group of separatists who have been fighting for independence from Indonesia for decades. Kwalik was killed in a shootout with the Indonesian police.

Police had been hunting Kwalik for a long time, searching through the vast jungles of the Indonesian province.

Agus Riyanto, a spokesman for the Papuan police, stated that Kwalik was shot while trying to escape the police.

For decades, the separatist movement has resented the Indonesian government. Guerrillas often launch hit-and-run attacks against Indonesian troops with bows and arrows and World War II-era rifles.

Amnesty International has accused the Indonesian police of abuses in the province, claiming that dozens of independence demonstrators have been wrongfully arrested and killed.

During the burial of Kwalik, tribal leaders continued to allege human rights abuses by the Indonesian government.

At the funeral, around 400 people followed the casket of Kwalik through the streets of Timika. Kwalik's casket was draped in the outlawed Morning Star flag of Papuan independence (anyone who waves the Morning Star flag may be confined in prison for life).

Photo caption: Pallbearers carry the coffin of Kelly Kwalik at the funeral in Timika, Courtesy of Jakarta Globe

Photo Caption: Raising the Papuan flag, the Morning Star, is illegal in Indonesia, Courtesy of BBC News

The death of Kwalik has triggered anti-Indonesian protests and calls for independence for the Melanesian region.

Anger has been directed at the mine site Freeport McMoRan, which operates a huge gold and copper mine north of Timika, that has been at the center of allegations of rights abuses against Papuans.

Police blamed Kwalik for a series of attacks, including an attack on Freeport McMoRan. Kwalik allegedly led an attack that killed two employees of Freeport.

Kwalik had denied the allegations and some believe that the Indonesian security forces launched the attacks as a way of extracting more protection money from Freeport.

Papuan Customary Council spokesman Dominicus Serabut stated: "Freeport is responsible for the death of Kelly Kwalik and that is why Freeport must be shut down...General Kelly Kwalik was not involved in the shootings in the area of Freeport Indonesia."

Those who supported Kwalik and his movement thought of him as "a brave fighter in the struggle to defend genuine truth and justice for the people of Papua, and for all the tribes on the face of the Earth who yearn to stand strong for these values."

Since the death of Kwalik, the struggle for independence has taken a huge blow. Analysts said that Kwalik's death may fuel anti-Indonesian sentiment, which underlies the need for talks with separatist leaders.

Analyst Muridan Widjojo, who has been involved in efforts to foster trust and dialogue between the two opposing sides, stated: "Kwalik's death will intensify the Papuan people's struggle for independence...There will be growing distrust among Papuans towards the central government. This is a strong reason why a peaceful dialogue becomes an urgent need."

Although Kwalik was one of the most active commanders and was the backbone of the separatist movement, other militants can replace him.

Widjojo stated that at least six other leaders are still at large across the region and they could increase attacks on security forces and other Indonesian-ruled entities as revenge for Kwalik's death.

He strongly suggests that there is no other way but to hold peaceful dialogue in order to prevent a possible backlash.

Before Kwalik's death, there had been promotion of dialogue through the West Papua National Coalition for Liberations, an umbrella organization of independence groups that has been seeking talks with Jakarta.

Papuan human rights advocate Theo Hesegem condemned the shooting of Kwalik and said his death would only disrupts efforts to promote dialogue.

Hesegem stated: "If this kind of violent approach continues to be used, the Papuan people will become more convinced that they have to be separated from Indonesia."

Australian academic Damien Kingsbury, of Deakin University, who was involved in the negotiations that clinched a peace deal in the Aceh region, believes that Kwalik's death has created "new opportunities" for a settlement.

Kingsbury stated: "The death of Kwalik...may allow the West Papua Coalition an opportunity to streamline its internal negotiating position....The question will be, in his second and final term of office, whether Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is serious about taking up the option of negotiation."

The Indonesia Human Rights Committee is calling for an internationally mediated dialogue between Papuan representatives and the Indonesian government.

The Committee also says that the New Zealand government should publicly back negotiation and dialogue as the "path to peace" in the region.

For more information, please see:
Pacific.Scoop - Kelly Kwalik Died to Free the People of Papua - 24 December 2009

Radio New Zealand International - New Zealand NGO calls for dialogue to ease Papuan tensions after Kelly Kwalik killing - 24 December 2009

Jakarta Globe - Kwalik's Death Could Fuel Anti-Indonesia Sentiment in Papua - 22 December 2009

BBC News - Indonesia police 'kill' Papua separatist Kelly Kwalik - 16 December 2009

Afghan Asylum Seekers Removed from Christmas Island

By Eileen Gould
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

CANBERRA, Australia –   Australia transported thirty young asylum seekers from Christmas Island to the mainland due to overcrowded conditions at the detention facility.

Earlier this past week, thirty Afghans, most of which are reportedly boys, will be held at Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation at Broadmeadows until immigration officers can process them.

Thirty-five individuals responsible for bringing asylum seekers to Australia were also taken from Christmas Island and brought to another facility in Darwin.

In addition, ten Afghan youths, who were relocated to Melbourne last September, have been released into the community.

The Christmas Island detention center has almost reached its maximum capacity, or approximately 1,432 individuals. 

An immigration spokesperson for the Opposition, Scott Morrison, stated that the government must look into other facilities for holding the asylum seekers while they await processing, as Christmas Island is nearing its capacity.

“The government should be seeking to identify alternative off-shore processing options if they cannot accommodate people on Christmas Island,” he said. 

The Opposition believes that the government’s actions will encourage the people smugglers, in that it will be possible for them to get these asylum seekers all the way to the mainland.

Advocates for the asylum seekers expressed approval for transferring the Afghan boys to Melbourne.  However, they did not see that there was a reason to keep the youths in a detention facility.

A representative of the Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre questioned the necessity of detaining youths who “fled persecution and are about to be granted protection.”

Immigration Minister Chris Evans indicated that these Afghan youths would get “priority processing” in the Melbourne facility.

The Government denied that overcrowded conditions on Christmas Island prompted the decision to move the asylum seekers.

Further, the Government indicated that relocating some of the asylum seekers is not a reflection of a shift in policy from those of the previous administration.  Opposition officials claim that the current administration’s policy is undermining the system of offshore processing.

According to acting Immigration Minister Robert McClelland, children and families were transported to the mainland in some cases for processing under the previous administration.  

Although the Government claims their legal status as offshore arrivals is not affected, the opposition believes that this decision may allow asylum seekers to challenge detention in the courts on the mainland. 

Approximately 1,400 asylum seekers remain in detention on Christmas Island, just over 1,200 of which are in immigration detention, 102 individuals occupy tents, and the remainder lives in the community.

For more information please see:
Sydney Morning Herald – Young refugees taken off island – 24 December 2009

ABC News – Asylum seekers moved to Melbourne – 23 December 2009

Herald Sun – Asylum-seekers relocated to Australia – 23 December 2009

Australia asks Canada to Resettle Tamils

By Eileen Gould
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

CANBERRA, Australia – Australia has asked the Canadian government to resettle a small number of Tamil refugees whose boat was found in international waters last October.

Australia has used “robust foreign diplomacy”, calling upon other countries to resettle the asylum seekers.

Canada has agreed to consider those refugees who have close family in Canada. 

A representative of Australia’ Department of Citizenship and Immigration, Douglas Kellam, stated that “[t]he only cases Canada has agreed to consider – and none have been accepted so far – are those that can demonstrate that they have close family links to somebody here in Canada, that they have been referred by the UNHCR … and we’ll have to be satisfied that they are not otherwise inadmissible to Canada,”

In October, approximately seventy-eight Sri Lankan Tamil were rescued by an Australian customs vessel, the Oceanic Viking, and brought back to Indonesia.   The Tamils refused to disembark when they were brought back to Indonesia, where they had been living for a few years.

The result was a month long stand-off, with the Tamils refusing to leave the Oceanic Viking.

Last month, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), whose job is to find countries to resettle refugees, officially declared the Tamils to be refugees and prompted the Australian government to find homes for them.

Canada is not the only country involved in discussions to resettle the Tamil refugees.  Norway and New Zealand have also offered to support the United Nations to take in some of the refugees, and the U.S. may also be in discussions with Australia.

New Zealand refused to accept some of the Tamils last month.  However, New Zealand’s Immigration minister claims that it may reconsider.

Dr. Jonathan Coleman said, “If people from the Oceanic Viking were to be included as part of the normal refugee quota selection process facilitated by UNHCR, New Zealand would be prepared to consider them.”

The Department of Citizenship and Immigration official stated that Australia is unsure of the number of refugees that will resettle in Canada.

According to Kellam, “it is not a common thing” for Australia to ask other countries to take in refugees.

Australia will begin its resettlement program next weekend.

For more information please see:
National Post – Australia asks Canada to resettle Tamil refugees – 18 December 2009

New Zealand Herald – NZ considers accepting Tamil boatpeople – report – 18 December 2009

ABC News – Australia looks to friends to resettle Tamils – 17 December 22009

Tonga Political Party Requests Interim Parliament

By Cindy Trinh
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga - A Tonga political party says an interim Parliament should be elected to consider the recommendations for greater democracy compiled by the Constitutional and Electoral Commission. 

The Legislative Assembly has been discussing the political reform that Tonga might follow. 

The Paati Langfonua Tu'uloa is one of many political parties that called for the recommendations to be endorsed immediately when the Constitutional and Electoral Commission's report was made public.

However, for the last few weeks there has been much debate about the recommendations in the Assembly. The Cabinet has been pushing for a number of changes.

One possibility the Cabinet suggested is for the House not to take a vote on the Report, as that would be counterproductive at this stage, but to establish a Parliamentary Tri-partite Committee to consider the various possible routes, strive for consensus as much as possible, and then report back to the House next year. 

The general secretary of Paati Langfonua Tu'uloa, Kamipeli Tofa, stated that he was "worried that many MPs lack independence of thought and many are motivated by self-interest."

Tofa stated that the best thing would be for a new Parliament to be put in place under the new electoral rules, and for that body to then consider any other changes which might be necessary.

He further stated: "With seventeen members elected by the people and nine by the nobles and maybe under the existing monarchy because he has made it very clear that he wants no involvement in politics. With that new parliament they can then address some of the issues, or points of difference, that are currently existing in the existing parliament." 

The Prime Minister, Feleti V. Sevele, in his statement regarding the Government's Roadmap for Political Reform, he said: "Before outlining what Government considers are the milestones that underpin the political roadmap that it believes Parliament and Tonga should follow, it is imperative that our minds are cast back to the beginning stages of the Political Reforms which His Late Majesty started back in 2004."

For more information, please see:
Islands Business - Tongan political party calls for interim measure on reform recommendations - 17 December 2009

Pacific Islands News Association - Tongan political party calls for interim measure on reform recommendations - 17 December 2009

Radio New Zealand International - Tonga political party calls for interim measure on reform recommendations - 17 December 2009

Our Constitution - Government's Roadmap for Political Reform: Prime Minister's Statement - 18 December 2009

Democratic Reform in Tonga Continues

By Cindy Trinh
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga - Kalafi Moala, a newspaper publisher in Tonga, says that the democratic reform program for Tonga continues to progress and the government is committed to the reforms.

Since the 1990s, Tonga has struggled in the fight for democratic reforms. The Pro-Democracy Movement was founded in 1992, and was later renamed in 1998 to the Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement.

The Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement believes that changes are needed to bring about more democratic governance in Tonga. They address the ongoing issues in Tonga that relate to social justice, exploitation of the poor, inequality, womens' rights, constitutional amendments, and corruption. 

In 1999, a pro-democracy movement was organized to discuss a new, more democratic constitution.

However, a scandal was exposed in 2001, and in 2003 changes in the constitution were made to give the king greater powers and increased the state control of the media. 

In 2005, there was a prolonged strike and campaigners for political reform rallied the streets. The protests erupted into violence. Thousands of people marched through the capital, demanding democratic reform.

Riots continued on during 2006 in the capital Nuku'alofa to protest the lack of democratic reforms. Eight people were killed and much of the business district was destroyed.

After King Tupou V finally announced that he will relinquish his near-absolute power held by the monarchy and introduce democratic reforms in 2008, Tonga finally began to implement the democratic reforms that was promised more than a decade ago.

Recently, a committee on constitutional reform was created, called the People's Committee for Political Reform, and the Committee recommended introducing a popularly elected parliament and reducing the monarchy to a largely "ceremonial role."

Earlier this month, Akilisi Pohiva, the chair of the People's Committee for Political Reform, said that the government should endorse a report on democratic reforms to ensure there is no more violence in the country. The Committee urges the government to make quick democratic reforms to prevent any incidents of violence like those in 2005 and 2006.

Currently, a newspaper publisher in Tonga, Kalafi Moala, is confident that the democratic reform program remains on track and that the government is committed to the process.

The Public Servants Association says that the government is "watering down" the reforms and could delay the planned elections in November next year under the amendments.

However, Moalo disagrees, and says this is not the case.

Moalo emphasized that all the MPs have worked hard to implement the recommendations made by the Constitutional and Electoral Commission.

Moalo stated: "Talking to people on the government side as well as People's Representatives - they are both confident that they are going to meet the deadline. That's why they are holding extra sessions during the holidays, that's why they have been working overtime, having evening sessions, because they feel that they want to come in the next session next year all ready to formulate these legislations."

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International - Tonga observer confident reform process is on track - 15 December 2009

Pacific Islands Report - Tonga Democracy Movement Urges Quick Reforms - 30 November 2009

BBC News - Timeline: Tonga - 16 November 2009

Human Rights & Democracy Movement in Tonga  - Human Rights & Democracy Movement in Tonga

Australia Erects Tents As Christmas Island Reaches Capacity

By Eileen Gould
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

CANBERRA, Australia – Australia’s Immigration Department announced that the maximum capacity of the detention facility at Christmas Island has been reached. 

The latest arrival of asylum seekers has caused Christmas Island to exceed its capacity.  As a result, the government has set up tents in order to accommodate the increase.  

The facility on Christmas Island can hold up to 1,550 individuals, and the tents can hold an additional 160.

On Thursday afternoon Australian border protection authorities intercepted a boat, which carried asylum seekers.  This is the third boat this week and the 54th this year, to arrive in Australia’s waters.

Since December 6th, 156 passengers and crew members have been detained and taken to Christmas Island for security, identity, and health checks.

Opposition lawmakers anticipate that the situation will become increasingly worse if this continues.  The decision to put individuals in tents “highlights the manifest failure of [Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s] policy”.
   
Scott Morrison, the opposition’s immigration spokesman, stated that Christmas Island will become a “tent city”. 

“Christmas Island is now overcapacity and these desperate people will be spending the hot summer months on Christmas Island under tents.”

Refugee groups have called on the government to close the detention facility and to bring the asylum seekers to the mainland for processing.

In the meantime, more immigrants are expected to arrive.  In order to ease the situation, temporary buildings are being shipped to Christmas Island.

The Immigration Department plans to expand the $400 million detention facility.

Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard rejected claims that the government has weakened its border controls and has thus caused the increase of individuals seeking asylum. 

She noted that the administration has increased its presence and tightened border security.  Even in doing so, boats carrying asylum seekers are bound to pass through. 

Many blame the increase in asylum seekers on the ongoing conflicts in Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Iraq. 

Every year Australia grants approximately 13,000 visas to refugees under official humanitarian policies.
 
For more information please see:
Voice of America – Controversial Australian Detention Camp Overflows Amid Rush of Boatpeople – 12 December 2009

Bloomberg – Australia Intercepts Third Asylum Boat This Week, Expands Camp – 11 December 2009

Sydney Morning Herald – Asylum seekers being forced into tents – 11 December 2009

Human Rights Activist from Fiji Wins the Amnesty International Human Rights Defender Award

By Cindy Trinh
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji - Human rights activist Shamima Ali, from Fiji, was awarded by Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand (AIANZ) as its first ever Human Rights Defender.

Ali is the executive director of the Fiji Women's Crisis Center in Suva. She was given the award on behalf of her contributions towards improving women's rights in Fiji and throughout the Pacific region.

She received the award on International Human Rights Day, December 10, which is the day the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights was adopted 61 years ago.

The chief executive of AIANZ, Patrick Holmes, said that he saluted Ali "for the immense courage she has shown in challenging the 2006 military coup and in continuing, despite threats and intimidation, to document its impact on the people of Fiji."

Holmes further stated: "Human rights defenders put themselves on the front line, often risking life and limb to stand up for what they believe in. While we may take that for granted in New Zealand, we still need to remember that human rights abuses are happening on our doorstep."

Ali stated that this recognition is a big step towards increasing awareness of the abuses happening in the Pacific region. She emphasized that this recognition is especially important in Fiji, where violations of human rights is very high.

In response to her award, Ali stated: "[AIANZ] should be commended for establishing this award. While I'm the recipient, one must remember the many other human rights defenders in Fiji and the rest of the Pacific who work just as hard. The work doesn't end - every day we are challenged anew. And this award gives me further encouragement never to give up defending out rights. This is what makes us human."

Ali further stated that "this kind of award encourages both myself and other human rights defenders...protectors and promoters of human rights in Fiji and the Pacific, to stick in there a little longer and continue to work."

Despite the joyous day, Holmes noted that there is still work to be done. He stated: "As we celebrate how far we have come in the right to eradicate human rights abuses around the world, this date and this award are reminders of how far we still have to go to achieve human rights for all people everywhere."

Photo Caption: Shamima Ali (on left) and Voreqe Bainimarama (on right), Courtesy of ConnectME

For more information, please see:
ABC Radio Australia - Shamima Ali Amnesty Award - 11 December 2009

ConnectME - Fiji's Shamima Ali wins Amnesty Human Rights Defender Award - 11 December 2009

Infonews.co.nz - Pacific women's rights campaigner honoured by Amnesty International - 11 December 2009

Radio New Zealand International - Fiji's Shamima Ali wins Amnesty Human Rights Defender award - 10 December 2009

Solomon Islands Must Reform Laws Providing Haven for Foreign Criminals

By Eileen Gould
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

HONIARA, Solomon Islands – Amnesty International reported that the Solomon Islands must overhaul its laws in order to ensure that is not a safe haven for foreign criminals.

In the first paper of the No Safe Haven Series covering a Pacific country, Amnesty issued a report on the Solomon Islands, entitled “End Impunity Through Universal Jurisdiction”.

In this paper, the human rights organization assesses whether the Solomon Islands, as a member of the international community, has met its obligations to define crimes under international law within their national law. 
   
The report also addresses the country’s ability to provide effective criminal and civil jurisdiction over those crimes and to cooperate with other nations in extradition processes.

Amnesty found that the Solomons’ national law lacks definitions of the most atrocious crimes, including war crimes, torture, crimes against humanity, extrajudicial killings or enforced disappearances.

Because of its failure to define those crimes, there is concern that the Solomon Islands is a “safe haven” from prosecution in its courts for foreigners who are responsible for heinous crimes committed abroad against other foreigners.

The report also notes that the nation is a safe haven for foreigners, who have committed crimes such as genocide, war crimes, torture, and extrajudicial executions abroad, from extradition to any country.  These individuals cannot be arrested and turned over to the International Criminal Court or any other international criminal court.

The Solomon Islands also lacks legislation which would allow the government to exercise universal civil jurisdiction, and therefore, victims of crimes under international law are not able to receive full reparation.  This is yet another indication of the nation’s failure to carry out its obligations to the international community. 

Amnesty International will provide this report to the Solomon Islands Law Reform Commission, in hopes that the nation will consider its recommendations and fulfill its obligations under international law to fight against impunity.

For more information please see:
Radio New Zealand – Solomons advised to rewrite laws to avoid being haven for foreign criminals – 08 December 2009

Voxy – Solomon Islands: Time to End Safe Haven for Crimes Under International Law – 08 December 2009

Amnesty International – Solomon Islands: End Impunity Through Universal Jurisdiction (No Safe Haven Series No. 6) – 07 December 2009

Nauru Plans to Ratify CEDAW

By Cindy Trinh
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

YAREN, Nauru - Nauru announced its support for the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

Nauru is one of the remaining three Pacific countries yet to ratify the convention. Tonga and Palau have not signed.

Tonga refuses to sign, saying that CEDAW would "cut across the cultural and social heritage that makes up the unique Tongan way of life."

Nauru's President, Marcus Stephen, stated that the Convention would allow for the "full and complete development of a country through the maximum participation of women on equal terms with men in all fields."

In a two-day dialogue, Stephen confirmed Nauru's commitment to ratify CEDAW. 

The parliamentarians of Nauru assessed the advantages and challenges for Nauru of ratifying CEDAW. The staff from the Pacific Regional Rights Resource Team of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (RRRT) assisted the parliamentarians during the meeting in Nauru.

During the dialogue, the parliamentarians considered how the CEDAW process could assist them in identifying and addressing current gaps in national laws and policy relating to violence against women, women's reproductive heath rights and political participation by women.

However, ratifying CEDAW does pose challenges for Nauru, especially with the lack of resources and technical capacity to meed the associated implementation and reporting requirements of the Convention.

Mathew Batsiua, the Minister for Justice, Health and Sports, stated that it would be costly for Nauru to send a delegation to Geneva to report on Nauru's progress in implementing CEDAW.

He suggested that to lessen the costs there could be special sittings of the CEDAW committee in the Pacific area, so that the Pacific Islands can report in a timely manner.

Nauru acknowledged RRRT's technical support and looks forward to a "continuous partnership with key regional organizations and donor agencies in advancing gender equality through ratification of CEDAW in Nauru."

For more information, please see:
Islands Business - Nauru MPs commit to ratifying CEDAW - 07 December 2009

Pacific.Scoop - Nauru MPs commit to ratifying CEDAW - 07 December 2009

Pacific Islands News Association - Nauru MPs commit to ratifying CEDAW - 07 December 2009

Radio New Zealand International - Nauru MPs back CEDAW - 07 December 2009