Human rights in Fiji

Fiji is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean with a population of approximately 849,000. It is made up of Fijians (57 percent), Indo-Fijians (37 percent), Europeans, Chinese, other Pacific islanders, and people of mixed racial descent (6 percent). Fiji has been in a state of political unrest since their independence from Britain in 1970. Normally the Fijian political system is one of a parliamentary representative democratic republic. There have been four military coups since Fiji's independence from Britain in 1970. Since 1987 the military has either had a significant influence in the politics of Fiji, or have been directly ruling. Fiji was governed by military-backed régime from December 2006 to September 2014, at which point a general election restored a parliamentary civilian government.

International Treaties

Fiji became a member of the United Nations on 13 October 1970. Fiji has acceded to some, but not the majority, of the key human rights treaties. It is a party to the conventions against racism (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination) and discrimination against women (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women), and on the rights of the child (Convention on the rights of the Child). In March 2016, Fiji ratified the Convention Against Torture. Fiji has not acceded to the covenants on civil and political rights (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights), or on economic, social and cultural rights (International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural rights). Fiji is also not a party to the convention on persons with disabilities (Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities).

Key recent developments

1. Fiji ratified the United Nations Convention against Torture (CAT) in March 2016
2. Fiji seeks UN Human Rights Security Council bid in 2015 but withdrew later with the Prime Minister stating that Fiji should tackle current issues that need immediate actions such as climate change and global warming first before officially bidding for a seat on the Council
3. Creation of the People's Charter for Change, Peace and Progress in 2008 to improve human rights relations in the country and abroad.
4. The Human Rights Commission Decree 2009 passed by the military regime to establish the Commission and lays the groundwork for its work in and out of the country.

Areas of key concern

1. Equality and non-discrimination
2. Freedom of religion or belief, expression, association and peaceful assembly, and right to participate in public and political life
3. Right to life, liberty, and security of the person
4. Administration of justice, including impunity, and the rule of law
5. Right to marriage and family life
6. Freedom of movement
7. Right to work and to just and favorable conditions of work
8. Right to education
9. Rights of Minorities and indigenous peoples

Proposed Reforms

In July 2009, the interim Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama announced that Fiji would have a new constitution by 2013. This new constitution would derive from the People's Charter for Change, Peace and Progress and well as from “extensive consultations with political parties, non-governmental organizations and ordinary citizens. The United Nations special rapporteur has urged the government of Fiji to strengthen its Human Rights Commission by ratifying several key international agreements including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the ILO agreement on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989. He urged the strengthening of the Fiji's Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission and the peaceful dealing with hate speech on social media without infringing on people's freedom of expression. These he said, are the key issues holding the nation back on taking a step forward in its dealings with human rights.

See also

• Women in Fiji

External links

• Universal Periodic Review of Fiji
• International Reports on Fiji
• Human Rights Watch on Fiji