The NGO Coalition on Human Rights stresses that the country cannot afford further delays in advancing governance reforms that have been discussed for many years, and strongly urges the Government and Parliament to ensure that the Access to Information Bill 2025, Code of Conduct Bill 2025, and Accountability and Transparency Commission Bill 2025 are progressed, without further delay.
While the Coalition welcomes that the Bills remain on the Government’s legislative agenda, they say the Government's lack of clarity on its intentions was concerning.
NGO Coalition Chair, Shamima Ali says together, these Bills form the legal and institutional framework needed to strengthen good governance in Fiji.
Ali says the Access to Information Bill empowers citizens with the right to know, the Code of Conduct Bill establishes clear ethical standards for public leadership, and the Accountability and Transparency Commission Bill creates the independent oversight needed to ensure those standards are upheld.
The NGO Coalition adds that civil society organizations, members of the public, and other stakeholders have already contributed to public consultation on these reforms and looked forward to seeing the Bills progress through Parliament.
They emphasize that good governance reforms must remain a national priority and urge clarity on timelines for advancing the Bills.
The Coalition says with growing public debate around integrity, transparency, and accountability in public office, progressing these Bills is critical to strengthening good governance.
