Pacific Island nations look at international laws [1]
Tuesday, November 5, 2013 - 20:30. Updated on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 - 20:37.
The 32nd Pacific Islands Law Officers Network (PILON) meeting opened today November 5 in Nuku'alofa at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre.
Tonga's Acting Prime Minister Hon. Samiu Vaipulu said the two day meeting held under a theme ‘Domesticating International Law: Challenges and Practices' was an opportunity for Pacific Islands to discuss the challenges and best practices in domesticating certain international laws and obligations.
He said pressing international laws under consideration included the issues of climate change, human rights, anti-money laundering and terrorist financing.
"The theme was chosen by Tonga since in the Pacific we are no longer isolated politically, financially, economically and socially from the rest of the world. We can no longer say our views are not being considered nor can we continue to allow important decisions affecting the world to be made by larger and rich countries without our input … the world needs our participation as independent Pacific States on the international arena," he said.
Law
Tonga’s Attorney General Neil Adsett said he and the Solicitor General 'Aminiasi Kefu were impressed with the number of laws that came into our countries from outside borders as the international arena drives so much of the legislation and activities in governments and law offices.
Pacific countries would present country reports during the meeting attended by Attorney Generals, Solicitor Generals and Directors of Public Prosecution from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga.
The meeting includes observers from regional and international organisations.