Fiji Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry has welcomed the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Fiji but hopes that Blinken will raise issues regarding violation of human rights in his discussions with the Government.
Chaudhry says the US State Department’s latest country report on Human Rights 2020 highlighted various areas of concern including abuse of prisoners in detention, restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly and of particular serious concern, intimidation and interference citing several cases.
He says human rights issues continue to be an area of major concern and adds trade union and workers rights are being curtailed particularly in the public sector.
Chaudhry says interference with standing orders and conventions governing Parliamentary proceedings have rendered Parliament largely ineffective, gagging debate and curbing the Opposition’s role in carrying out its functions adequately.
He adds laws enacted recently have removed the right of persons aggrieved with decisions of the Registrar of Political Parties to seek redress through the courts.
The FLP Leader says they understand Blinken will be having a personal meeting with Prime Minister Bainimarama and they hope this important area of concern will be given adequate attention during the talks.
