Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Tonga not to ratify CEDAW

Posted at 21:58 on 17 September, 2009 UTC

The Tongan government has decided not to ratify CEDAW - the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

Tonga’s Legislative Assembly voted 18 to 1, with four abstentions, not to ratify the convention at this time, saying to do so would cut across the cultural and social heritage that makes up the Tongan way of life.

The Tongan government says it will instead address specific areas of concern for women and continue to cherish and respect their unique place in Tongan society.

And it says, most importantly, Tonga will maintain a leading role in the promotion and protection of human rights in the Pacific