Universal Periodic Review Working Group – 16th Session
Universal Periodic Review of Tuvalu
24 April 2013
Australia very much welcomes the presence of her Excellency the Attorney-General of Tuvalu and her team here today. We understand what a major effort it must have been to prepare for the Universal Periodic Review, and thank the Attorney for her excellent presentation.
Australia welcomes the progress the Government of Tuvalu has made in ensuring that human rights standards are included in national legislation.
Australia commends the passage of the Police Service Act 2009 and the Police Powers and Duties Act 2009. Australia notes that changes to police legislation align with some rights enunciated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Acknowledging Tuvalu’s resource constraints, Australia recommends Tuvalu continue progress towards passage of subordinate legislation and full implementation of these Acts. We note that Tuvalu is currently working with Australia in this regard.
Australia is concerned that the setting of a date for a by-election in the electorate of Nukufetau has been delayed. In order to ensure all Tuvaluans are represented in parliament, Australia urges Tuvalu hold elections in the electorate of Nukufetau as soon as possible.
Australia welcomes the statement on gender delivered by Tuvalu’s Prime Minister and Minister of Women Affairs on behalf of Pacific Countries at the 57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York in March, 2013.
Australia acknowledges that Tuvalu has made progress towards gender equality in education and employment and is partially on track to achieve MDG3 (gender equality and empowering women). Australia recommends that Tuvalu take further steps to increase women’s empowerment, including in political and economic life, and through local and national implementation of effective measures to address domestic violence and gender discrimination.
Australia welcomes the engagement of representatives of Tuvalu with representatives of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and ICC States Parties and recommends that Tuvalu ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as soon as possible.
Finally, Australia remains committed to working with Tuvalu as it addresses the various challenges it faces and to promote its wider prosperity.