MEDIA RELEASE Minister Aingimea leads Nauru’s UPR_24Jan2026
REPUBLIC OF NAURU
Government Information Office
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Saturday, 24 January 2026
'With faith, determination and partnership, Nauru remains
committed to human dignity' - Minister Aingimea leads Nauru's
Universal Periodic Review in Geneva, Switzerland
The Republic of Nauru reaffirmed its commitment to the promotion
and protection of human rights during the presentation of its
Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the 51st session of the United
Nations Human Rights Council, held at the Palais des Nations in
Geneva, Switzerland, 20 January.
The Nauru delegation was led by the Honourable Lionel Rouwen
Aingimea, Minister for Justice and Border Control and Minister for
Foreign Affairs and Trade, who served as head of delegation for
Nauru's fourth-cycle UPR.
Concluding Nauru's review at the Palais des Nations in Geneva,
Minister Aingimea underscored the country's enduring resolve,
stating: 'With faith, determination, and partnership, Nauru remains
committed to the advancement of human dignity and the realization
of the fundamental rights of all who call our island home."
The Universal Periodic Review is a unique peer-review mechanism
of the Human Rights Council through which all United Nations Member
States undergo a comprehensive assessment of their human rights
record every four and half years. Since the inception of the UPR in
2008, all 193 UN Member States including Nauru have completed three
review cycles.
During the interactive dialogue, Nauru outlined key legislative,
institutional and policy measures undertaken to strengthen its
national human rights framework, while also acknowledging ongoing
challenges faced by small island developing states, including
capacity constraints and the impacts of 1 climate change. The
government reaffirmed that progress in human rights must be
context-sensitive, sustainable and responsive to national
circumstances.
The Nauru delegation comprised Secretary of Foreign Affairs and
Trade, Rebecca Amwano, Ambassador and Permanent Representative,
Frederick Pitcher, Director of Human Rights, Stella Duburiya,
Director of Child Protection Services, Trini Caleb, First Secretary
Geneva Mission, Joanie Hartman, Honorary Consul of Nauru to
Germany, Martin Heyne, and legal intern Sarah Lambert.
The Government of Nauru welcomed the constructive engagement and
recommendations from peer States and looks forward to considering
them carefully as part of its continued efforts to strengthen the
promotion and protection of human rights at the national level.
ENDS///