MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
THE HON DUNCAN KERR SC MP PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR PACIFIC ISLAND AFFAIRS
Australia's Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Duncan Kerr SC, today reaffirmed Australia's commitment to human rights for all Pacific Islanders.
On Human Rights Day and the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Mr Kerr focused on Australian Government assistance to four human rights projects in Pacific Island countries.
The four projects will receive funding under the 2008-09 Human Rights Small Grants Scheme. In total, the scheme will provide $1.5 million to promote human rights in 19 countries across the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa. The projects supported in the Pacific will be carried out in Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.
'Australia continues to work closely with its Pacific neighbours to help people living in poverty gain access to basic human rights such as health and education.'
'Our contribution will assist non-government organisations to promote human rights at the community level.'
The Pacific projects encompass initiatives on strengthening the rights of people displaced by the April 2007 tsunami in Solomon Islands, peace-building and conflict resolution in Papua New Guinea, awareness-raising of the rights of people with disabilities in Vanuatu, and regional human rights awareness program that will provide training and capacity building across the region, including in Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Fiji.
'Australia's targeted support to Pacific Island nations through these projects will help address local constraints to growth and challenges to nation building and stability. By investing in the institutional and social architecture supporting human rights in the Pacific, Australia continues to work with our partners in the region to not only protect human rights but fulfil international obligations to which we are all signatories,' Mr Kerr said.
Australia is committed to promoting faster progress towards the Millennium Development Goals and to alleviating the situation of the vulnerable in the region.
Media Contacts:
Mr Kerr's Office 6277 2178
AusAID Duty Officer 0417 680 590