UN commends Fiji for certain things however recommendations have been made to repeal some laws and policies

Fiji has been commended for certain things by members of the UN Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review for Fiji however they have also recommended Fiji to repeal laws and policies that they say unlawfully restrict fundamental rights of freedom of expression, assembly and association.

Fiji has been commended for steps it has taken to ratify things such as all nine core international human rights instruments, as well as the launching of the First Hour Procedure while they have recommended for Fiji to repeal laws and policies that they say unlawfully restrict fundamental rights of freedom of expression, assembly and association, including sections of the Public Order (Amendment) Act, the Media Industry Development Act, the Electoral Act 2014 and the Online Safety Act.

Fiji has been commended for the proactive approach with the special procedures and treaty bodies and have been encouraged with further steps in combating gender-based violence and protecting the human rights of children.

The election of Fiji to the Human Rights Council and the progress made towards mainstreaming female political representation and participation in Government has also been welcomed.

Fiji’s efforts to address climate change and disaster risk reduction, paying special attention to vulnerable groups, such as women, children and persons with disabilities have also been commended.

The ratification of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, acknowledged the leadership shown in discussions on the human rights impact of climate change, and encouraged further efforts to tackle gender-based violence has also been welcomed.

The consistent and targeted investment of Fiji to advance universal primary education, as well as the measures taken to eliminate discrimination against women and gender-based violence was also noted.

The abolition of the death penalty in military law, and the ratification of several international human rights treaties have been also commended by the member states.

It has been recommended that Fiji takes the necessary measures in order to revise the law on the development of the media, review legislation that affects freedom of speech, particularly the Crimes Act, the Media Industry Development Act and the Public Order (Amendment) Act, to bring them into compliance with Fiji’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The report further recommends that Fiji amends the Media Industry Development Act, the Public Order (Amendment) Act and the sedition provisions of the Crimes Act, which restrict freedom of expression, the press and assembly.

It recommends guaranteeing freedom of expression and opinion and freedom of the press, by ensuring respect for the rights of journalists and human rights defenders and reviewing the Media Industry Development Act, which punishes any journalistic publication against the general interest or public order, in order to avoid abusive interpretation.

When questioned by Fijivillage, MIDA Chairman and Director of the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission, Ashwin Raj says he needs time to analyze the UN Human Rights Council's recommendations because it’s important that they do not generalize it.

Raj says he will release a statement on the matter this week.

We have also sent questions to the Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and are awaiting his response.