Report - Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights

have not been a priority. “Land is life” is a common motto used in Bougainville. Today land is being
fought over more than ever before. The landowners mistrust all foreign interests as <strong>the</strong>y are still striving
for self- determination over <strong>the</strong>ir own land and resources.
The primary duty-holder for human rights in Bougainville is still <strong>the</strong> Papua New Guinea Government,
as <strong>the</strong> State. The main violator has been <strong>the</strong> private company Rio Tinto and <strong>the</strong> PNG government. The
Australian government is also seen as a violator and duty holder. This is a timely consultation as we
have drafted a second constitution for <strong>the</strong> Bougainville People <strong>of</strong> Congress and now Bougainville is
about to have its’ own elections for an autonomous government (2004 – 2005). As we move towards
an autonomous government, we also need to see <strong>the</strong> autonomous government as a duty holder The
elections for an autonomous government is a process in which we as women can lobby our own leaders
and <strong>the</strong> PNG government, as well as seek international support. 3 positions will be set aside for women
representatives in <strong>the</strong> elections.
The blockade imposed on Bougainvillean citizens by <strong>the</strong> PNG government during <strong>the</strong> conflict denied
<strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong>ir basic human rights. Customary practice became <strong>the</strong> ‘pillar’ for common survival, as this is
all <strong>the</strong>y could turn to in <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong> conflict. They returned to traditional medicines, re–learned about
<strong>the</strong> land, fermented coconuts for fuel, re-integrated <strong>the</strong> chief’s roles and regained a sense <strong>of</strong> identity, among
o<strong>the</strong>r things. Custom remains a sensitive part <strong>of</strong> forming <strong>the</strong> new autonomous Bougainville Government.
‘Post–conflict’ Bougainville today recognises and practices <strong>the</strong> customary reconciliation ceremonies. It
is important for customs to be integrated with human rights to achieve equality in <strong>the</strong> community.
In <strong>the</strong> conflict, people’s property was burnt - you can still see blood and <strong>the</strong> graffiti on <strong>the</strong> walls. 32%
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> land used to be cultivated as cocoa/copra plantations, all <strong>of</strong> which was lost. People lost thousands
<strong>of</strong> dollars and many still owe <strong>the</strong> Banking Corporation on <strong>the</strong>ir outstanding loans. How can <strong>the</strong>
survivors <strong>of</strong> war be expected to pay back <strong>the</strong>se loans
The over-riding principles <strong>of</strong> self-determination and gender equality were violated including many <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> rights in UDHR, CEDAW, CRC and ICCPR. Australian aid money funded <strong>the</strong> war – <strong>the</strong> PNG
government used Australian aid for helicopters, mortar shells and o<strong>the</strong>r equipment. Recently I was
walking near my home in Bougainville and saw an Australian mortar shell still lying on <strong>the</strong> ground.
As a result, <strong>the</strong>re is a lot <strong>of</strong> mistrust among Bougainvilleans towards Australians.
Victimisation – <strong>the</strong> elderly were <strong>the</strong> first to die. Many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> youth today are children that were born
into <strong>the</strong> war (1985-1997) – <strong>the</strong>y are called <strong>the</strong> ‘black generation’. Many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m were born under a
tree or on <strong>the</strong> side <strong>of</strong> a road and all <strong>the</strong>y know is fear and being on <strong>the</strong> run from <strong>the</strong> police and army.
This generation is vulnerable to having problems in <strong>the</strong> coming 10-15 years. The psychological loss
has in many ways been <strong>the</strong> biggest loss.
There is no <strong>of</strong>fice in PBNG or in Bougainville; <strong>the</strong>re is no budget allocation for restoration and
reconciliation.
Testimonies:
Taloi Havini
(1) Security <strong>of</strong> tenure and Freedom from dispossession
In this testimony I would like share with you my experience in becoming an exile and as an externally
displaced person from Bougainville my home; due to <strong>the</strong> Bougainville Conflict (1989-1997) <strong>the</strong> total PNG
142 WOMEN’S RIGHTS TO ADEQUATE HOUSEING AND LAND