Homosexuality to remain illegal in Samoa, Solomon Islands and PNG

The two Pacific nations made the commitment following a review by the UN Human Rights Council. Fiji changed its laws early last year.

PNG UNAIDS coordinator Stuart Watson told Pacific Beat laws against homosexuality were a legacy of the colonial era.

Mr Watson said the organisation was aware of the "cultural and religious sensitivities" around people who have sex with members of their own sex.

"But we believe lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities should enjoy human rights as well as any other individual in society," he said.