Melanesian Brotherhood wins the 4th Pacific Human Rights Awards
Melanesian brothers at Tabalia
The ceremony which took place in Suva, Fiji, Feb.20, 2004, is an annual event organized by the Regional Rights Resource Team -- a United Nations Development Program Pacific project fully funded by the United Kingdom Department for International Development.
The Regional Rights Resource Team offers the award in recognition of Pacific organizations that have helped make the region a better place to live through their efforts in advancing human rights throughout the region.
In this regard, the Melanesian Brotherhood was recognized for its active involvement in peacemaking efforts that finally led to a ceasefire and the signing of the Townsville Peace Agreement in October 2000 between the two warring parties in the Solomon Islands. The peace agreement made provision for the formation of a Peace Monitoring Council and the collection of weapons from the two-militia groups.
The ethnic conflict was between some of the indigenous people of the main island of Guadalcanal and settlers on Guadalcanal from the large neighbouring island of Malaita. The fighting broke out after about 20,000 Malaitans were driven out of Guadalcanal back to Malaita, resulting in the armed conflict between Isatabu (Guadalcanal) Freedom Movement (IFM) and the Malaita Eagle Force (MEF).
Last August, six brothers were killed by one of the rebel groups after going to the west coast of the island of Guadalcanal to retrieve the body of another member of the order who had also been killed.
That is the bravery and sacrifice that won the Brotherhood the human rights award, which was presented to them by the Prime Minister of Fiji, Laisenia Qarase. In 2001 the brothers were also awarded the Solomon Islands Medal for the same role.
Despite peace, the problems in the Solomon Islands still continue, and the Brotherhood still plays an important role in maintaining peace.
The Melanesian Brotherhood is one of the four religious communities of the Church of the Province of Melanesia in the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. The other three are, the Community of the Sisters of Melanesia, the Sisters of the Church and the Society of St. Francis. All four communities played an active role in promoting peace amongst the fighters.
