18 Feb 2005

Solomon Islands to set up human rights commission

4:42 pm on 18 February 2005

Solomon Islands is set to become the second country in the Pacific islands region after Fiji to host a Human Rights Commission office.

A four-man team from the Asia Pacific human rights forum is currently in Honiara holding talks with various stakeholders.

The Prime Minister Sir Allen Kemakeza says he had had fruitful discussions with the team which is led by Fiji's Human Rights Commissioner Walter Rigamoto.

Sir Allan made a request for the establishment of a human rights commission when the Asia Pacific Forum on Human Rights met in Nepal last year.

He says such an institution is necessary because of the calls from both MPs and members civil society, for Truth Commission to be set up to consider human rights abuses.

Sir Allen also says the Forum Eminent Person's group also called for the commission to be set up.

He says it will also have a role in monitoring the effects of changing to a federal system of government.