The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission (FHRADC) has called on the Government to ensure its foreign policy and diplomatic engagements remain consistent with international human rights and humanitarian law obligations.
In a statement issued on March 24, Commissioner Alefina Vuki said Fiji had binding commitments under international law, including the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which required the State to support global efforts to prevent such crimes and ensure accountability.
“This includes ensuring that Fiji’s foreign policy and diplomatic relations do not assist, enable or legitimize conduct by parties or states involved in serious violations of international law,” Ms Vuki said.
She stressed that the duty to prevent genocide was a “jus cogens obligation”, meaning it was a non-derogable principle of international law.
“It imposes upon every State the legal responsibility to intervene and prevent the intentional or deliberate destruction of a group of people. No government can ever justify or excuse its failure to carry out this responsibility,” she said.
The Commission highlighted concerns amid ongoing humanitarian conditions in Gaza, noting reports from United Nations agencies and independent bodies of large-scale civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure.
Ms Vuki said while the Government had the sovereign right to determine its bilateral relations, including the establishment of a Fiji Embassy in Jerusalem in September last year, such decisions must still comply with international obligations, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 478.
“It remains imperative that Fiji’s diplomatic actions do not violate international norms relating to occupation, self-determination and the protection of civilian populations,” she said.
She also raised questions over the Government’s plans to approve a resident Israeli embassy in Suva, saying any strengthening of bilateral relations must be balanced against Fiji’s responsibilities under international law.
“Diplomatic engagement must remain grounded in international law, and the protection of human rights, particularly the safety and dignity of civilian populations and vulnerable groups in situations of conflict and war,” Ms Vuki said.
The Commission said it stood ready to provide independent and technical advice to support Government decision-making aligned with Fiji’s human rights commitments.
