UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE FIELD UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE FIELD PAPUA NEW GUINEA Population size1 Surface area1 Human Development Index2 NHRI (if applicable)3 8.42 million 463,000 km² 0.544 (rank: 141/188 in 2016) Type of engagement Human Rights Adviser Year established 2008 Field office(s) Port Moresby UN partnership framework United Nations Development Assistance Framework 2018-2022 Staff as of 31 December 2018 4 XB requirements 2018 US$1,245,000 To support civil society in monitoring and reporting on human rights issues during the referendum, OHCHR trained 268 civil society participants (including 15 persons with disabilities), on human rights monitoring in that context. The participants came from three regions of the ABG and included human rights defenders, women’s groups, youth groups and persons with disabilities. Furthermore, human rights training modules were developed for the regular curriculum of the Bomana Police Training College. The training manual for recruits was completed with technical support from OHCHR. During the reporting period, the training modules were rolled out to 55 in-service officers across two provinces (Western Province and East New Britain). In addition, as a result of technical assistance provided by OHCHR, key trainers at Bomana Police Training College strengthened their capacity to deliver the human rights training modules for recruits. A1 – The Royal PNG Constabulary and PNG Correctional Services receive regular human rights training. Civil society organizations increase their capacity to lobby the Government to maintain its de facto moratorium on the death penalty, with a view to abolition. Please refer to Data sources and notes on p.191. KEY PILLAR RESULTS: Participation (P) P6 – Disenfranchised male and female youth, and persons with disabilities, participate meaningfully in the 2019 Bougainville referendum. The Office promoted the meaningful participation of rights-holders in the upcoming June 2019 Bougainville independence referendum by enhancing the capacity of the Government and civil society to address human rights issues in the context of that referendum. As a result of technical assistance that was provided by OHCHR, the Parliament of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ABG) took steps, in September, to establish a Gender and Human Rights Committee that would be responsible for handling complaints, monitoring human rights and providing advisory services to 268 UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2018 a human rights section within the RPNGC to coordinate and support human rights integration. Accountability (A) Key OMP pillars in 2018 123 for Gender Equality, the Department of Community Government and District Affairs and the Department of Justice. Spotlights: the Parliament on human rights matters. Following this initiative, 30 parliamentarians and cabinet members, including the President and Vice-President, were trained during a comprehensive threeday workshop on human rights. In light of the upcoming referendum, the enhancement of the Government’s capacity to deal with human rights issues is a major development. At the technical level, the capacity of 30 senior ABG officials (10 women, 20 men) to apply human rights principles was increased through a workshop on human rights that was organized by the Office, in October. The participants represented key departments that were involved in the preparation and implementation of the referendum, including the Department of Bougainville Peace Agreement Implementation, the Department for Community Development, the Office Youth Women Disabilities OHCHR continued to strengthen the capacity of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) to respect and protect human rights at the operational and senior management levels and to support the mainstreaming of human rights throughout the institution. To drive institutional change, 40 senior police officers, including the Provincial Police Commanders of the RPNGC, attended a comprehensive four-day human rights training, for the first time. The training, which was held in December, produced a workplan for the consideration of senior management on how to integrate human rights into the operations of the police. Specifically, the workplan included a gender audit to identify bottlenecks to the recruitment of more women into the police force; a critical review of the existing standard operating procedures using a human rights lens; the adoption of a human rights training policy; and the establishment of OHCHR continued providing technical support to the Ombudsman Commission in monitoring prisons and places of detention. In June, following concerns that were raised about the conditions of the prison in Goroka, OHCHR supported the Ombudsman Commission in monitoring the rights of prisoners and making concrete recommendations to the Government. In October, following a comprehensive monitoring of the Beon Prison, in Madang, by the Ombudsman Commission, a joint training was organized by the Office and the Ombudsman Commission targeting correction officers and police officers involved in detention management. In 2018, the Office supported the Resident Coordinator and the UNCT in strengthening their advocacy with key stakeholders, including the Minister of Justice and Chief Secretary, on the establishment of the NHRC. The Minister of Justice announced that the Government would establish a human rights secretariat in January 2019 that would be hosted by the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry would coordinate all human rights-related activities and complete the preparatory work for the establishment of the NHRC. Considering the importance of continued advocacy for the establishment of the NHRC, the UNCT adopted a strategy, in November, which provides guidance for active engagement with a range of stakeholders as well as support for the development of promotional activities for the general public related to the NHRC. OHCHR also provided technical assistance to civil society organizations to enable them to jointly develop an information note on the role of a national human rights institution and identify key actors that can effectively advocate for the establishment of the Commission. reviewed the draft and provided inputs to ensure that it integrates the provisions of the CRPD. In December, an inter-agency consultation was organized in Port Moresby, which concluded a series of consultations on the draft. It is expected that it will be submitted to the Parliament in 2019. ND6 – Civil society organizations and the Government increasingly monitor and address human rights violations suffered by refugees, migrants and targeted vulnerable groups, advocate on their behalf, and produce regular public reports. The Office advocated on behalf of and raised awareness about the rights of refugees and asylum seekers in compliance with international human rights standards. To this end, it produced public reports and engaged in advocacy with national authorities. A2 – An operational National Human Rights Commission is established, which complies with the Paris Principles. As a result of technical advice that was provided by the Office, there is improved compliance of the draft Disability Authority Bill with international human rights norms and standards. Throughout 2018, the rights of refugees and asylum seekers were remotely monitored by the Office, including through media monitoring, information shared by stakeholders that had visited Manus Island, information provided by walk-in refugees and information provided by UNHCR and other stakeholders. The Office contributed to a joint public report on the human rights of asylum seekers and refugees on Nauru and Manus Island. OHCHR engaged with national authorities and supported the Resident Coordinator in advocating for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers on key issues of concern, including access to adequate medical facilities for refugees. The Office, together with key partners, advocated for the establishment of an operational National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in compliance with the Paris Principles. The Law Reform Commission and the Department for Community Development prepared the draft and held consultations in four regions. In collaboration with other UN agencies, OHCHR extensively Finally, under the Mechanisms pillar the Office collaborated with the UNCT to support the Government and civil society to implement the recommendations issued during PNG’s second UPR cycle in 2016. Non-Discrimination (ND) ND2 – The Government amends selected laws to ensure that they comply with CEDAW and CRPD. Shifts: Civic Space People on the move UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2018 269