Converging Currents Custom and Human Rights in the Pacific
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September 2006, Wellington, New Zealand | STUDY PAPER 17 CoNvERgiNg CURRENTS Custom and human rights in the paCifiC The Law Commission is an independent, publicly funded, central advisory body established by statute to undertake the systematic review, reform and development of the law of New Zealand. its purpose is to help achieve law that is just, principled, and accessible, and that reflects the heritage and aspirations of the peoples of New Zealand. The Commissioners are: Right Honourable Sir geoffrey Palmer – President Dr Warren Young – Deputy President Honourable Justice Eddie Durie Helen Aikman qC The Manager of the Law Commission is Brigid Corcoran The office of the Law Commission is at 89 The Terrace, Wellington Postal address: Po Box 2590, Wellington 6001, New Zealand Document Exchange Number: sp 23534 Telephone: (04) 473–3453, Facsimile: (04) 914–4760 Email: [email protected] internet: www.lawcom.govt.nz National Library of New Zealand Cataloguing-in-Publication Data New Zealand. Law Commission. Custom and human rights in the Pacific / Law Commission. (Study paper, 1174-9776 ; 17) iSBN 1-877316-08-3 1. Customary law—oceania. 2. Human rights—oceania. 3. Civil rights—oceania. i. Title. ii. Series: Study paper (New Zealand. Law Commission) 340.5295—dc 22 Study Paper/Law Commission, Wellington 2006 iSSN 1174-9776 iSBN 1-877316-08-3 This study paper may be cited as NZLC SP17 This study paper is also available on the internet at the Commission’s website: www.lawcom.govt.nz <http://www.lawcom.govt.nz> LawCommissionStudyPaper He Poroporoaki The New Zealand Law Commission acknowledges with deep regret the passing of two notable Pacific leaders shortly before the printing of this study, the Maori queen and the King of Tonga. Their personal status in their respective spheres was augmented by the close association between them and their families over many years. Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu (1931-2006) Dame Te Ata forged links between the peoples and tribes of Aotearoa and with many of the peoples of the Pacific to become a gracious symbol of enduring Maori and Pacific values. Haere Te Puhi Ariki o Tainui, moe mai i runga i a Taupiri i te urunga o te kahurangi, te papa tongarewa o nga tupuna. Paimarire. King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV (1918 – 2006) King Taufa’ahau epitomised calm leadership over many years, encouraging his people to excel in their chosen pursuits and to develop connections with their Pacific neighbours. Ku o hala ‘a e Tama Tu’i ‘o e ‘otu Felenite, ka ko ‘ene ngaahi maa’imoa ‘e ke i nofo pe ‘i he loto ‘o e Tonga kotoa ‘o lauikuonga. LawCommissionStudyPaper Converging currents Custom and human rights in the Pacific ConTenTs Foreword ............................................................................................................................ 8 Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... 10 Summary ...................................................................................................................................... 11 The challenge ................................................................................................................... 11 our approach .................................................................................................................... 12 The hard issues for harmonisation ................................................................................. 13 The Commission’s suggestions ........................................................................................ 14 ParT 1: ConTeXT ............................................................................................................. 19 Chapter 1: The Challenge ............................................................................................................ 20 The starting point ............................................................................................................ 20 Law reform ....................................................................................................................... 23 other activities and initiatives ........................................................................................ 24 Exclusions ........................................................................................................................ 25 Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 25 Terminology ..................................................................................................................... 27 our contribution .............................................................................................................. 28 our vision ......................................................................................................................... 28 Chapter 2: Pacific Context ........................................................................................................... 30 What do we mean by “the Pacific”? ................................................................................ 30 Land and people ............................................................................................................... 31 Commonality and diversity ............................................................................................. 32 Chapter 3: Legislative Context .................................................................................................... 35 Constitutions .................................................................................................................... 35 Statute law ........................................................................................................................ 37 Common law .................................................................................................................... 38 Treaties ............................................................................................................................. 38 Chapter 4: Understanding Custom Law ..................................................................................... 41 Positivism, pluralism and realism ................................................................................... 42 Defining custom law ........................................................................................................ 46 Content ............................................................................................................................. 48 Modern custom ................................................................................................................ 55 issues ................................................................................................................................. 58 CONVERGINGCURRENTS:CustomandHumanRightsinthePacific Chapter 5: Understanding Human Rights .................................................................................. 60 Definition ......................................................................................................................... 60 Key human rights values and principles......................................................................... 63 The international human rights framework .................................................................. 64 Pacific uptake of international treaties ........................................................................... 68 Application of human rights across diverse cultures ..................................................... 69 Chapter 6: Harmonisation .......................................................................................................... 75 Common values ................................................................................................................ 75 Perceived conceptual conflicts ......................................................................................... 76 Achieving harmonisation ................................................................................................ 78 ParT 2: THe HarD IssUes ............................................................................................. 83 Chapter 7: Women’s Rights ......................................................................................................... 84 our view ........................................................................................................................... 84 Women’s rights in international and domestic law ....................................................... 85 Historical analysis ............................................................................................................ 87 Specific issues ................................................................................................................... 90 Custom law and the courts .............................................................................................. 98 Custom and change .......................................................................................................... 99 Chapter 8: Children’s and Young People’s Rights ................................................................... 104 The rights of the child .................................................................................................... 104 Specific issues ................................................................................................................. 106 Children and young people