Today, 10th December, marks International Human Rights Day: About Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now.

Human rights impact everyone, every day. They empower individuals and communities to shape a better future. By fully embracing the transformative power of human rights as a pathway to the world we envision, we can build societies that are more peaceful, equal, and sustainable. Human rights are not just entitlements—they are a daily struggle, everywhere.

In the European Union, human rights are firmly enshrined in our laws through the Charter of Fundamental Rights and international treaties we have ratified. Similarly, in Papua New Guinea, Human Rights enjoy the highest level of protection under the Constitution.

Reflecting shared values, the European Union and Papua New Guinea have established the EU-PNG Partnership for Good Governance Budget Support Programme. With a budget of about 110 million kina for 2020–2026, the European Union supports PNG’s efforts to strengthen the Rule of Law and fight corruption.

This programme includes concrete actions to enhance the governance capacity of the Department of Justice and Attorney General (DJAG), the police, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), and the revitalization of the Village Court System. While significant progress has been made, much remains to be done in this last phase of implementation. Key achievements include:

• The full establishment of ICAC in 2023, which now leads the National Anti-Corruption Plan of Action (NACPA) 2020–2025.
• Improved access to justice through strengthened village courts and police accountability, with a focus on gender-responsive approaches.
• The recent re-activation of efforts toward establishing the Human Rights Commission.

The European Union remains committed to supporting PNG achieve Good Governance and to fight corruption in the country and the success of this budget support programme lays the foundation for future collaboration. The European Union and the PNG Government are in the process of designing a new budget support programme aligned with the Medium-Term Development Plan IV (MTDP IV), focusing on governance and the Rule of Law, among other areas.

Under the EU-PNG Partnership for Good Governance, the European Union continues to support the DJAG Human Rights Secretariat with a budget of 4 million Kina towards the Establishment of Human Rights Commission.

Today also marks the end of the 16 Days of Activism that started on 25th November with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The European Union remains firmly committed to supporting gender equality, women’s empowerment, and the realisation of human rights for all. We are pleased to have signed the new Soim Wokabaut: EU Gender-Based Violence Referral Pathways Programme during this period. With a budget of about 44 million kina, this programme focuses on prevention, protection for gender-based survivors, and strengthened access to justice.

Every step, big or small, toward more effective human rights implementation is a step in the right direction. Every step taken in partnership reflects our shared values.

Jacques Fradin, Ambassador of the European Union

EU