The Director of the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-discrimination Commission Ashwin Raj says attacks on people on social media is taking a toll on people's mental health and well-being.
Speaking on the session on Right to Health at the Attorney General's Conference at the Intercontinental Resort in Natadola, Raj says attacks on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression because of the ideological or political views not only breeds hatred, it is taking a toll on people’s mental health and well being and cyberbullying is leading to depression and suicides.
Raj adds that hate speech, the conscious advocacy of hatred is not only about the right to free speech and the right to offend in a democracy.
Raj also adds that destigmatization, both within the medical sector, places of detention, schools, workplace as well as at community level is an important step towards effective psychosocial intervention and rehabilitation and reintegration into society and this is where a human rights approach as well as the principles of non-discrimination is important.
He adds that Fiji enjoys a robust and progressive legal framework as Section 38 of the Fijian Constitution places an obligation on the State to take reasonable measures within its available resources to achieve the progressive realisation of the right of every person to health, and to the conditions and facilities necessary to good health, and to health care services, including reproductive health care and emergency medical care.
