Statement 103 - Australian Permanent Mission and Consulate-General

Australian Permanent Mission and Consulate-General

Geneva, Switzerland

Address: Chemin des Fins 2, Case Postale 102, 1211 Geneva 19 - Telephone: 022 799 9100 - Fax: 022 799 9178

8th Session of the Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review

Intervention by Australia

by Ms Angela Robinson
3 May, 2010

Kiribati

Australia welcomes the Honourable Minister for Internal and Social Affairs, the Honourable Attorney-General and all members of the delegation from Kiribati and appreciates Kiribati’s constructive engagement in the UPR process.

We welcome the progress identified in Kiribati’s national report toward disseminating the findings of the nationwide study on violence against women and in implementing the country’s first National Action Plan to eliminate gender-based violence. We are pleased that gender-based issues are gaining an increasing prominence in Kiribati.

We are also pleased to note the undertaking by Kiribati to submit its State report to CEDAW and the efforts being made to align national laws with this Convention. We further note the work that is underway on measures relating to the protection of children.

We congratulate Kiribati for its commitment to developing a National Policy and Action Plan on Disability. Australia was pleased to join Kiribati and other Pacific Islands governments in endorsing the Pacific Regional Strategy on Disability in October 2009, which fosters links to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and related human rights instruments, and sets the goal of a disability inclusive Pacific.

We note the many challenges faced by Kiribati in attaining its development goals. Australia is pleased to be working in partnership with Kiribati on approaches to these challenges that are inclusive and that respect the right of every Kiribati citizen to contribute to, and benefit from, the country’s development.

Australia would like to make the following recommendations to Kiribati:

1. Ensure human rights are afforded full legal protection in Kiribati;

2. Proceed with National Plans of Action on disabilities and eliminating violence against women; and

3. Proceed with Child Protection Legislative reform.