Asia-Pacific Network Weekly Report (13 May) 1/2

Task 1: Weekly human rights monitoring

Fiji
The two reports below lists recommendations to the Fijian government in
relation human rights violations (civil and political rights). I proposed that
we monitor the Fijian’s government response to the recommendations:
- Amnesty International Country (Fiji) report Apr-Jul 2009: 16
recommendations
- Human Rights Watch’s submission to the UN Human Rights Council
on Fiji’s universal periodic review Aug 2009: 17 recommendations

Common recommendations:
- Revoke the Public Emergency Regulations 2009 and annul the
suspension of the Fiji Constitution (revoke the Fiji Constitution
Amendment Act 1997 Revocation Decree 2009)
- Restore the legal system to prior April 2009 by revoking the Judicial
Appointments Decree 2009, the Administration of Justice Decree
2009 and State Services Decree 2009.
- Restore freedom of expression (revoke Fiji’s suppressive media
laws).
- Protect human rights defenders

Legal position:
Fiji has not ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
and both its Optional Protocols; the Convention Against Torture and Other
Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment and its Optional
Protocol; and the International Covenant on Social, Economic and Cultural
Rights.

Papua New Guinea

Urgent priority:
- Feb 2010: Police brutality in forced evictions in Progera gold mine
- May 2010: Delay in returning 14,000 islanders displaced in the 2004
volcanic disruption. Lack of government assistance has forced the
IDPs to rely on gardening as their only source of food and livelihood.

Legal position:
PNG has acceded to the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights with no reservations.

Timor Leste
+ Legislation: Law against Domestic Violence was passed on 3 May 2010

Legal position:
Timor-Leste has acceded to the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights with no reservations.

Indonesia
Urgent priority:
(a) Papua:
- Situation in West Papua is of de-facto military rule due to heavy
presence of military.
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- Indonesian police has yet to investigate the 2009 extra-judicial

killing of Kelly Kwalik, leader of the Free Papua movement (OPM)

(b) Indonesia:
- May 2010: Health: Lobby Indonesian government to allow medical
access to prisoner of conscience, Filep Karma.
- May 2010: Freedom of expression: Repeal criminal libel laws.
- Apr 2010: Labour and gender equality: Lobby Indonesian
government to pass Domestic Workers Bill to end exploitation of
women and girl workers.
- Apr 2010: Freedom of religion: Repeal blasphemy laws which carry
criminal sanctions. The blasphemy law is a real threat to the beliefs
of Indonesia’s religious minorities.
- Apr 2010: Equality before the law: Lobby Indonesia government to
prosecute abusive military personnel in civilian courts.

Legal position
Indonesia has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
but has made a reservation to art 1 of both the Covenants in that the
words “the right to self-determination” does not apply to a section of
people within Indonesia and cannot be construed as authorizing any action
to dismember Indonesia’s territorial or political unity.

United Nations Events:

Next Human Rights Council session: 14th session (31 May -16 June)
- UN Working Group report on the situation in Fiji

Task 2: Human rights expert database

• Database – International treaties/instruments
• Expert contact list – UN human rights advisors and country
representatives