Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Regional Office for the Pacific supports human rights promotion, protection and accountability across 16 countries in the Pacific region—Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands countries, including Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu.  

Established in 2005 and based in Suva, Fiji, the office engages with governments, national human rights institutions, civil society, Indigenous and traditional communities, and United Nations Country Teams to integrate human rights into development, climate and sustainability agendas.  

The Pacific region’s distinctive cultural, legal and social contexts—including Indigenous worldviews, customary governance and traditional leadership structures—are at the heart of the office’s approach.  

OHCHR Pacific’s core work focuses on strengthening rule of law and accountability, enhancing civic space and meaningful participation, supporting implementation of international human rights mechanisms, and advancing equality and non-discrimination.  

The office also addresses emerging regional dimensions such as climate change, displacement, digital rights, and inclusive governance—helping ensure that human rights frameworks respond to the broad interconnected challenges of the 21st century.