Hon. Fe'ao Vakata Tonga Minister for Internal Affairs is Optimistic of CEDAW Featured
Hon. Fe'ao Vakatā at UN Headquarter
Nuku'alofa, 18 September 2015. Tonga's Minister for Internal Affairs is still backing the ratification of a controversial women's rights convention despite reports the government is dropping it.
Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva told parliament the government was stepping back from ratifying the Convention for the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women, or CEDAW, after opponents said it would open the way for same-sex marriage and abortion.
But Fe'ao Vakata told Koro Vaka'uta there will now be more time for consultations.
FE'AO VAKATA: I have talked and met with my women's division and asked them to please do another consultation because I'm pretty sure that a lot of people are misinformed and misled about what CEDAW is. I think they're appraising it as a convention to allow same-sex marriages, family planning and so forth, but you know it's about women. I think the prime minister wants more consultation about CEDAW, probably this year, next year. Once we've done that, we'll re-look at it.
KORO VAKA'UTA: I understand the government has already done consultations before?
FV: There were consultations before but now people are claiming that they weren't involved in the consultations. But there were consultations that have been conducted before about CEDAW. But I think we'll take it back to the villages and communities and welcome them to ask about what CEDAW is and everything about CEDAW.
KV: Do you expect that with more information or background on CEDAW, people may change their minds about any objections?
FV: Well, of course, I think a lot of people now are beginning to understand what CEDAW is. I think it's much more political than the actual convention itself. I felt that a lot of people are beginning to understand what CEDAW is. We have printed the Tongan translation of the convention on the newspapers and such for people to read and be aware of what CEDAW is before we come around and do the consultations.
KV: I see the prime minister has expressed concern that the country is being divided by this. Do you see that as well?
FV: From what we have seen of the petitions from the people... but unfortunately, the petitions were led by men, the church leaders and such. But that's very unfortunate, personally for myself. I hope that after the consultations, people will be more understanding about CEDAW. But I still think that we should still pursue the right purpose of the convention.
KV: And as well as consultations, there's been talk of a referendum and legislation to allow a referendum. That's something that's happening too?
FV: The prime minister has directed that enact the transcript but I still think whether the referendum or not. But I think people should understand clearly what CEDAW is, and we should see what is happening here in Tonga, especially the vilence against women. I think that should speak for itself, why we should be ratifying CEDAW.
KV: So from your perspective as a minister for internal affairs, the reports we saw was that the government has backed off in some way, but you believe the stance remains the same, in regards to CEDAW?
FV: Yes, yes. It's fair to say, we have... in regard to CEDAW... it's just the consultation to be done.
Source: Radio New Zealand
4 comments
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Mou kataki 'oku ou share atu e post 'a e tokotaha ko Palometa Tamale 'i he Facebook 'o fekau'aki pea mo e 'Eiki Minisita ko'eni:
"KOLE TOKONI KIHE PULE'ANGA na'aku lele atu kihe faikava 'anepo i milidura 'oku fehanuaki ai ha kulupu toli e ua mei tonga koe ta'evahe moe fiekaia e ni'ihi hala ha shopping pea na'e iai moha fefine ne kole pe ke ha'u mu'a 'o tou'a ke mau hanau shopping he ' oku ikai ma'u ha vahe pea kuo hola e fa'ahinga e ni'ihi au e nau hanu kihe vahe $1000 tupu 'oku to'o pe toe ange pe $100 kiho nau nima fkmatala ha tokotaha na'a nau kole enau vahe ke li ki tonga he kikisimasi fkfuofua $800 tupu koe taki $100 pe na'e 'oange na'e osi i heni 'ae minisita ' oku ne tokanga'i 'ae kau toli ihe palopalema tatau pea tanaki seniti kau toli o fa'o hono kato totongi lauafe ehe contractor kihono kato pea foki ikai fai ha ngaue e taha ke solova e me'a 'oku hoko pea 'oku ilo pe pule'anga ki hono omai pe kau toli 'o 'ave pe kihe kakai kuo to'o enau laiseni ke nau ngaue'aki mou kataki o share" -
Ko Amelika e oku ikai kenau fkmooni he CEDAW ka oku osi fkngofua heenau Supreme Court a e same sex marriage...ngalingali oku mooni e minisita kuo kamata ke politicised e issue o hono ngaohi kovia mo fakahilihilii e houeiki fafine...kiakehe ko Ireland oku tokolahi taha pe Katolika Ai...Ka kuo nau tali e same sex marriage..kataki o oua ai ke hau e Vatikano mo enau policy ke feinga ke fkleleaki a Tonga...tuku ke fai e consultation pea koe ha e loto e kakai pea fkhoko kapau ikai Tali fkofoofa..pea Ka Tali fakaofoofa pe moia..oleva e faituutuuni koe oleva ke inform e kakai hangehange name lahi Ange hono misinformed kinautolu...Mali
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Ko e mo'oni pe lau 'a e Folofola, 'oku 'i ai 'a e kuonga 'o e me'a kotoa pe, pea mahalo ko e kuonga eni ia 'o e faka'auha. Ketau lotua hotau fonua ke fakahaofi 'e Sihova mei he ngaahi kau peau 'o e politikale 'oku heka mai ai 'a Setane mo 'ene matatau. ...
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'Ikai toe tuku e fepakipaki 'a e PM mo'ene kau Seniale. Kuo kehe e kuonga ni pea kuo tau ninimo...hahaha..malo malo