AG: Govt looking at tackling rights issues

THE Government and its agencies are above everything in addressing human right issues, according to Minister for Justice and Attorney-General Davis Steven.
He told the Human Right Forum in Port Moresby yesterday that issues on human rights would be addressed by the Government and a lot of progress has been made so far.
He said the Government was committed to and serious about advancing the United Nations report on human rights.
Following the summit on law and order in Lae last year, Steven said a lot of work had been put in to establishing a human rights secretariat.
He said bringing the ministries of Community Development and Foreign Affairs into the National Coordination Monitoring committee was the first step in achieving the human rights commission.
The government will use existing facilities and resources to set up the secretariat and establish a Human Right Commission.
Steven said the human rights legislation was awaiting Cabinet approval before it would be tabled in Parliament.
He urged the development partners to do their part in educating young people on the contentious issues of sorcery related killings, witchcraft and violence against women.
He told the forum participants to come up with a good report before January 23 when parliament resumes so he can table it in Parliament.