B’ville govt keen to promote human rights

AUTONOMOUS Region of Bougainville’s senior government officers have made a commitment to promote human rights.
During a workshop in Buka recently, 30 participants including 13 women and two persons representing persons with disabilities, made a commitment to integrate human rights in their daily responsibilities and support vulnerable people, including persons with disabilities for their informed participation in the referendum scheduled for Oct 12.
The workshop was conducted by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in collaboration with the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Department of Community Development, Bougainville Referendum Commission and other ABG Institutions.
ABG Minister for the Department of Community Development Josephine Getsi said building the capacity of public servants is crucial for the effective promotion and protection of human rights in
Bougainville and expressed her appreciation for the technical support provided by the UN in this regard.
The OHCHR Human Rights Adviser to the UN Country Team, Kedar Poudyal said: “A human rights based approach to all activities of the government including in conducting the referendum is important to ensure people, in particular vulnerable groups, actively participate and no one is left behind in any national processes.”