Pacific Community (SPC) team assists with establishment of National Human Rights Institution

Peilapalap, Pohnpei: April 19, 2023 – Governor Oliver received officials from the Pacific Community (SPC), who are in Pohnpei to engage with Government leaders, civil society, and community stakeholders to help establish a national human rights institution.

Mr. Ahmed Shahid, Capacity Development Manager, Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, and Ms. Neomai Maravuakula, Team Leader for Governance and Institutional Strengthening, Human Rights and Social Development Division, Pacific Community (SPC related that the FSM National Government invited SPC in 2017 to assist with establishing a national human rights institution. A visit and report were completed in 2019, but the pandemic caused some delays. The officials are now in Pohnpei and the other four states in the FSM to re-engage with stakeholders and offer support and guidance to establish a national human rights institution.

Governor Oliver welcomed the officials to Pohnpei and expressed his support for their work. He asked the officials to work closely with the Pohnpei State Attorney General, Belsipa Mikehl-Isom, who was present, to ensure that Pohnpei’s unique needs and concerns are considered with the establishment of a national human rights institution.

Also present during the meeting was the Director of the Department of Public Safety, Mr. Patrick Carl, Assistant Attorney General Monaliza Abello-Pangelinan the Chief of Primary Health Care, Norleen Deorio, Overseas Development Assistance Coordinator Shirley-Ann Ligohr and Mr. George Isom, SPC FSM Country Focal Officer (based in Pohnpei).