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53rd Universal Periodic Review of human rights: UK Statement on Papua New Guinea

UK Statement at Papua New Guinea's Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

• From: UK Mission to the WTO, UN and other international organisations (Geneva)
• Published: 5 November 2026

Thank you, Madame Vice President

The United Kingdom welcomes Papua New Guinea’s notable progress in advancing the rights of children and persons with disabilities, including through its National Ending Violence Against Children Roadmap and the introduction of the Disability Services Act 2025. The United Kingdom commends Papua New Guinea’s abolition of the death penalty and criminalisation of violence related to sorcery accusation.

We recommend that Papua New Guinea:

1. Establishes and operationalises a National Human Rights Institution in accordance with the Paris Principles.

2. Further strengthens the Independent Commission Against Corruption, including by ensuring it has the resources and institutional capacity to fulfil its mandate effectively.

3. Accelerates implementation and ensures adequate resourcing of the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence (2026–2035), including by expanding survivor-centred services and access to justice, particularly in rural and remote areas.

Thank you.