Komnas Ham in Indonesia played a courageous and important part in that country's transition to democracy. It has a key on going role. The Fiji Human Rights Commission has the potential also to be a significant player in rebuilding Fiji's damaged institutions and processes of governance. New Zealand will continue to contribute to the work of both organisations through its Official Development Assistance. It will also contribute to strongly support the work of the Asia Pacific Forum promoting the development of strong and independent national human rights commissions in our region and fostering a network of cooperation among them.
Strong institutions are a prerequisite to the survival of democracy and respect for human rights.
But they are not by themselves a sufficient condition for democracy and human rights to be guaranteed. Institutions are only as effective as the people who run them. It is vital to create a skilled workforce and leadership groups who are committed to ethical standards. To achieve this goal, development assistance for in-country education and training as well as tertiary training in donor countries is a priority. There needs also to be wider promotion in the community of democratic and human rights values from groups like your own.