Values

• Dignity: we respect the dignity of those who went missing during the Bougainville Conflict and acknowledge the plight of their families and communities.

• Engagement and solidarity: we are committed and willing to engage with the families of the missing, former combatants, churches, women, the youth, and other civil society groups, foreign governments, and international organizations to assist each other and strengthen our collective efforts to achieve our mission.

• Humanity: we conduct our work compassionately based on the principle of “do no harm” (refrain from doing any harm to any individual).

• Confidentiality: we maintain the highest standards to protect, present and future, the confidentiality of individuals and the information shared with the Office of Missing Persons in Bougainville.

• Accountability: we work in an honest and transparent manner, and we are accountable to the families of the missing, to our partners and other stakeholders for the progress of our operations. The OMPB’s operations are monitored by the Bougainville Committee on the Missing, a multi-stakeholder committee that ensures good governance and engagement with families in a non-discriminatory manner.

Principles for the Search

• HUMANITARIAN: Our search focuses on the dignity and humanitarian rights of the missing persons and their families with efforts targeting to clarify the fate (i.e., if alive or dead) and whereabouts (i.e., the location) of missing persons, ensuring the families of the missing have a central role in all activities.

• EFFECTIVENESS: Our search achieves optimal results and desired outcomes in a timely and efficient manner through the successful application of resources and strategies.

• INDEPENDENCE: Our search maintains autonomy, impartiality, and freedom from external influence to ensure unbiased decision-making.

• IMPARTIALITY: Our search provides fair and equal provision of humanitarian assistance without discrimination, ensuring that support is based solely on feasibility and available search avenues, irrespective of status, clan affiliation, or nationality.

• TRANSPARENCY: Our search maintains openness and clarity in decision-making, communication, and operations, ensuring that non-confidential information is readily accessible to relevant stakeholders, including families of the missing.

• CONFIDENTIALITY: Our search involves safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining privacy to build trust and protect the rights and well-being of individuals, such as witnesses, informants or missing persons’ family members.

• DATA SECURITY: Our search implements measures and protocols to safeguard information integrity, confidentiality, and availability, mitigating risks and protecting against unauthorized access or breaches.

• LEGITIMACY: Our search underscores the adherence to ethical standards, legal frameworks, and accepted cultural norms, ensuring that actions and decisions are justified, accountable, and aligned with established customs and principles.

• NON-DISCRIMINATION: Our search mandates the equal treatment of all individuals, regardless of factors such as clan, gender, religion, or other characteristics, ensuring that everyone has fair and equitable access to rights, opportunities, and resources.

• VOLUNTARY COOPERATION: Our search involves collaborative efforts and partnerships among individuals or entities who willingly engage, and work together based on mutual consent and shared objectives, fostering effective collaboration and synergy.