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New Zealand warmly welcomes the delegation of Tuvalu to the Human Rights Council. As Pacific neighbours, New Zealand and Tuvalu enjoy a close relationship. These bonds are underpinned by a shared Polynesian culture and heritage and strong people-to-people linkages with over 2500 Tuvaluans living in New Zealand.
We greatly value this opportunity to engage with Tuvalu on human rights. Tuvalu is only the second Pacific island country to undergo the UPR. We commend the Government of Tuvalu for submitting a national report prepared in consultation with civil society.
In its report, the Government of Tuvalu demonstrates that it generally respects the human rights of Tuvaluans, particularly under the 1986 Constitution. New Zealand appreciates the outline in the report of Tuvalu’s development challenges as a small island state with a population of less than 10,000 people and Tuvalu’s vulnerability to climate change and rising sea levels.
New Zealand notes the absence in Tuvalu of an independent human rights body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights, including raising awareness of human rights. New Zealand would welcome the delegation’s comment as to whether Tuvalu is planning to address this institutional gap. In this context we would recommend that Tuvalu consider giving the Ombudsman responsibility for investigating alleged violations of human rights as a short term measure. We note that this model has been employed successfully by other small Pacific countries with capacity constraints.
New Zealand remains concerned about the subordinate position of Tuvaluan women in society. The 1986 Constitution does not specifically prohibit discrimination against women. There are currently no female members of parliament. Domestic violence is not being addressed in a systematic way by authorities.
New Zealand strongly recommends that Tuvalu amend the Constitution to include freedom from discrimination on the grounds of sex.
New Zealand also recommends that Tuvalu develop a comprehensive strategy to reduce domestic violence in Tuvalu, including raising public awareness of the issue and identifying ways to combat such violence. This strategy could be developed in cooperation with regional initiative the Pacific Prevention of Domestic Violence Programme, and could involve Tuvalu’s National Council of Women as well as other key stakeholders.
Tuvaluan law does not prohibit discrimination on the basis of physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments. New Zealand recommends that the Government of Tuvalu amend the Constitution to prohibit discrimination against persons with disabilities.
