Regional working group on governance November 2015

Governance Challenges in the Pacific

16th November, 2015

Tess Newton Cain

Our region embraces good governance

“We embrace good governance, the full observation of democratic values, the rule of law, the defence and promotion

of human rights, gender equality, and commitment to just societies.”

(Framework for Pacific Regionalism)

Tess Newton Cain

Before FPR…• Biketawa Declaration (2000)

• Auckland Declaration (2004)

• Pacific Plan

Tess Newton Cain

Photo credit: Vanuatu Daily Post

Tess Newton Cain

How is governance being challenged?• Attacks on democracy

• Diluting of rights

• Undermining the Rule of Law

Tess Newton Cain

Executive encroaching on Legislature’s PowerPower

Executive

Legislature

Judiciary

Power

Executive

Legislature

Judiciary

Tess Newton Cain

Controlling social media“It is not our intention to control the media but there must be some proper mechanisms in place…people have to be responsible when they are using social media to attack others. For cyber-crime we are going to make it an offence for people to use pen-names, not using their real names and making defamatory statements. You have to be answerable for it.”

Tess Newton Cain

Rule of

Law

Certain

Applies to all

Due process

Visible

Elements of the Rule of Law

Tess Newton Cain

‘Institutions’

Decision-makers

The whole community

Tess Newton Cain

Political will needs to be cultivated…

Tess Newton Cain

Tess Newton Cain

tess@devpacific.orgTess Newton Cain