The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission received 380 complaints in 2024, highlighting a broad spectrum of human rights concerns across the country.
The Commissions say out of the 380 complaints, 125 were classified as advisories, covering mainly economic social and cultural rights which include the rights to adequate food, adequate housing, education, health, social security, water and sanitation, and economic participation. They say the top five complaints received in 2024 included 55 complaints of alleged violation of the right to be free from cruel and degrading treatment, 50 complaints relating to employment relations, 43 complaints relating to executive and administrative justice, 39 complaints of alleged violation of rights of arrested and detained persons and 26 complaints relating to violation of child rights.
They also highlighted that the complaints covered issues such as alleged violations of the rights of arrested and detained persons, police brutality, prison violence, child abuse, technology-facilitated gender-based violence, employment relations—including the exploitation of migrant workers, arbitrary evictions, elder abuse, and discrimination based on culture and religion.
They say other cases included cyber-bullying, violence in schools, the right to adequate housing and sanitation, and various inter-sectional human rights concerns.
They add most complaints were received from the Central Division, standing at 323 while 56 were recorded from the Western Division and one complaint was recorded from the Northern Division.
The Commission say they have documented cases involving asylum seekers from war-torn countries seeking refuge in Fiji; challenges faced by migrant workers, particularly from Bangladesh, the right to a clean and healthy environment, and an instance of forced marriage.
They add these issues reflect the evolving human rights landscape in the country and the Commission’s commitment to addressing them. They also highlighted that the nature of complaints relating to children include violence and bullying in schools, corporal punishment, children subjected to forced confession by police, parental neglect, access to education, child custody matters and social protection.
They say complaints relating to employment relations were mostly alleged exploitation of migrant workers and unfair dismissal cases.
The Commission add they will remain committed to promoting and protecting human rights across Fiji, ensuring justice, equality, and dignity for all.
