By Eileen Gould
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania
NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga – Last week, the Tongan government rejected the United Nations’ Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). In a vote of 18 to 1, with four abstentions, the Legislative Assembly refused to ratify the convention because it goes against Tongan culture.
The government claims there is no need to change the position of Tongan women in society because under the current way of life, they are “respected and cherished”. Ratifying the convention would disturb Tongan traditions by paving the way for the legalization of abortion, the promotion of same-sex marriages, and the granting of land ownership rights to women.
Last week, the Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement which said that “the Tongan way of life is not solely based on the rights and responsibilities, freedom and obligations of the individual, but also emphasize its rights to the extended family and the whole community.”
Instead, the parliament’s actions will preserve the Tongan way of life by addressing women’s issues on its own.
Women activists were less than thrilled with the government’s explanation and refusal to adopt CEDAW. A representative from the Tonga National Centre for Women and Children (TNCWC), an NGO that advocates on behalf of victims of abuse, expressed concern over the government’s lack of recognition of domestic violence. In a country where women are held in high regard, the Tongan government has refused to pass an act aimed at preserving women’s rights.
The Ministry of Police reported the murders of four women in domestic disputes in 2009, as well as three rapes in August alone. Further, TNCWC claims that over 200 women subjected to such violence seek help each year.
Contrary to the government’s suggestion that CEDAW’s provisions necessitate a complete revamping of Tongan law, the 132 year old constitution upholds basic human rights and freedoms. However, it continues to discriminate against women and fails to afford them protection. Tonga has signed the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), as well as, the Pacific Island Forum’s Pacific Plan, and remains heavily involved in the promotion of human rights in the region.
Yesterday, an UN health advisor and a spokesperson for the New Zealand Labour Party criticized Tonga during a parliamentary hearing on Pacific maternal health in Wellington, New Zealand.
For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International – NZ Pacific MP critical of Tonga’s move not to ratify UN Convention – 22 September 2009
Matangi Tonga – Tongan parliament blatantly ignores women’s rights – 19 September 2009
ABC Radio Australia – Tonga rejects convention on discrimination against women – 18 September 2009
Matangi Tonga – Tongan parliament decides not to ratify CEDAW – 18 September 2009
Radio New Zealand International – Tongan women disgusted with government for snubbing CEDAW – 18 September 2009
Radio New Zealand International – Tonga not to ratify CEDAW – 17 September 2009
