Though Papua New Guinea is a resource-rich country, almost 40% of the population lives in poverty, and many human rights issues are still affecting the country.  Among these issues are the inadequacy of the criminal justice system, prison overcrowding, extrajudicial killings, the imposition of the death penalty, the high level of violence and political unrest, violence against women and girls, including sorcery-related violence, violence against children, human trafficking, violations of and abuses linked to land rights, the situation of asylum seekers, refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the rights of people with disabilities.

AIM OF THE PROJECT:

This Project is helping civil society actors to acquire a methodology for reporting, monitoring and following up the most pressing issues affecting human rights in Papua New Guinea through the UPR process. By doing this, local NGOs are more effective in their advocacy activities, improving their collaboration with the Papua New Guinea government and, in the end, improving the situation of those who are at risk of human rights violations. The two aims of the projects are:

  • To build or reinforce the capacities of local human rights defenders to advocate for the respect and protection of human rights at both the national and international levels, through an effective contribution to the upcoming UPR of Papua New Guinea;
  • To create a more conducive environment and foster skills to further support existing local civil society programs addressing violations of human rights and monitoring the implementation of the human rights obligations of the government.

Through various activities addressed to local NGO representatives, the project will constitute a network of committed stakeholders and activists. The multiplier effect will mean that a much larger number of persons and groups is reached and ensure a widespread impact of the project. In fact, the 25 NGO representatives participating in the in-country consultation and in drafting the UPR submission, run human rights programs on a regular basis that reach over 70,000 beneficiaries, including vulnerable children, girls and women, teachers, people with disabilities, indigenous people and other victims of unlawful mining activities and climate change in Papua New Guinea.

THE  PROJECT IN BRIEF:

Reinforce human rights in Papua New Guinea through an effective engagement with the UN human rights mechanisms, especially the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

THE PROJECT IN NUMBERS:

  • 1 joint UPR submission, including at least 5 recommendations concerning human rights in Papua New Guinea, is drafted
  • 1 common action plan to advocate for the inclusion in the UPR process of recommendations adopted that address key local human rights concerns
  • 10 representatives of Papua New Guinea civil society organizations are contacted by the Steering Committee in order to create an in-country network for the protection of human rights
  • 2 UPR recommendations reflecting key concerns of the in-country coalition have been addressed to the government of Papua New Guinea during the UPR

SDG goals: 1, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16

Laudato Si’ goals: 1, 2, 3, 7