Human Rights Commission stresses importance of human rights defenders

Human rights defenders are crucial as they play a significant role in advocating for and upholding civil, cultural, economic, human, political, and social rights.

The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission remains committed to protecting, promoting, and supporting Human Rights Defenders in their human rights work.

Commission Chairperson, Pravesh Sharma says bearing in mind their primary roles human rights’ defenders seek to ensure their shared commitment to freedom, respect, equality, and dignity is reflected in our laws, policies, and practices.

Sharma says human rights’ defenders include but are not limited to journalists, lawyers, magistrates, judges doctors other medical practitioners, people who protect persons with disability, environmental indigenous, LGBTIQ, and women’s rights, civil society organisations, and nongovernmental organisations.

He says say the rights of human rights’ defenders have been increasingly threatened globally which can be attributed to a global decline in the shrinking of civic spaces.

Sharma says civic spaces refer to the conditions necessary for civil society actors to meaningfully participate in political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of life.

In line with this, the 2018 Marrakesh Declaration established a global framework for national human rights institutions to take action in support of commisions rights.

Sharma says those whose rights have been breached are entitled to seek assistance from the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission.