The three days Pacific Human Right Defenders (PHRDs) workshop held at the Heritage Park Hotel from 8th to 10th of October, is dubbed as an ‘eye opener’ for the participants.
HRDs from Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji have gathered in Honiara to build their knowledge on the legal protection mechanisms available for them and initiated discussions of the development of National Action Plans.
It is a build-up on the knowledge from a previous workshop held in Vanuatu in February this year.
A total of almost 50 participants, including students from University of South Pacific in Honiara and Solomon Islands National University (SINU), staff from Ministries and media personals have successfully participated in the HRDs workshop.
The workshop also equipped the participants on ideas and knowledge on the risks as HRDs and advantages or opportunities.
One of the participants Mr. Lawrence Wanegaro, currently studying at the University of South Pacific (USP), said he was very happy to be part of the HRDs workshop.
Wanegaro is majoring in public Human and Human resources management, said he learned a lot from the workshop.
“I have learnt a lot from the workshop. Having learned so many things that enhance my knowledge about human rights. This includes knowing who are the HRDs, types of HRDs, roles of HRDs, risks face by HRDs worldwide and etc,” Wanegaro said.
Wanegaro said he hopes for the similar workshop in the future to further enhance his knowledge about the HRDs and be able to advocate for HRDs in the local communities in Solomon Islands.
Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet Assistance Secretary-Policy and program Mr. Phillip Manakako told the participants the Solomon Islands government Whistleblowers Policy Protection Act 2018 provides protection for the HRDs.
However, Natasa Khan one of the workshop’s facilitators, was happy and delighted to see good turn up by the participants.
Khan said it was beyond their expectation seeing such a strong interest among the Solomon Islands as it was the first time they rolled out the HRDs training outside of Suva.
“So, I’m really impressed with the interest. I will keep in touch with the participants and the members to see how their advocacy on HRDs going in Solomon Islands after this workshop,” Khan said.
Meanwhile, the participants have formed a working group comprises of seven people aiming to register a HRDs network in Solomon Islands.
It will be known as the Solomon Islands Human Right Defenders Network (SIHRDN).
This is still a plan and the group will be working on promoting and protecting human rights in Solomon Islands through advocating to ensuring the network comes to reality.
By FLOYD TERRY JNR
Solomon Star, Honiara
