No office to administer human rights issues

PAPUA New Guinea is a signatory to six aspects of human rights under the United Nations but there is no office to administer the issues, says Human Right Defenders’ Association president Linda Tule.
“The issues of children not getting better education, gender-based violence, land disputes and many other aspects are affecting the rights and lives of the people,” Tule said.
She told at least 50 women during a human right defenders’ graduation after two-days of training funded by World Vision and National Capital District family and sexual violence action committee in Port Moresby on Wednesday.
“Papua New Guinea is a signatory to education, employment and labour, rights of child, protection from torture, ill-treatment and disappearance, slavery-like practices and women rights but we don’t have an office to administer them,” Tule said.
Tule thanked the two organisations for their support and the Human Right Defenders’ Association for enabling training for 25 women from Hanuabada and 25 from 9-Mile in Port Moresby.
“We are truly serving the people who are affected by sorcery-related problems, gender-based violence, encouraging children to attend schools, mediating communities to realise their rights and so forth,” Tule said.
She said association was formed last month by more than 20 members who were operating in isolation.