Concerns have been raised by the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission over the Government’s expanding diplomatic engagement with Israel.
It says these engagements — including plans for a resident Israeli embassy in Suva — and all foreign policy decisions are to remain firmly aligned with Fiji’s international human rights obligations.
While acknowledging the government’s sovereign right to determine its diplomatic relations, the commission emphasised that the strengthening of bilateral relations must be carefully assessed against Fiji’s binding commitments under international law, including the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
The commission stressed that Fiji is legally obligated to support global efforts to prevent genocide and ensure accountability for serious international crimes.
This includes ensuring that its diplomatic engagements do not directly or indirectly assist, legitimise, or enable actions linked to violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.
It pointed to the findings of the International Court of Justice, which has identified a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza, triggering preventative obligations for all states party to the Genocide Convention.
These concerns are reinforced by ongoing reports from United Nations agencies and independent bodies documenting catastrophic humanitarian conditions, including civilian casualties, destruction of infrastructure, and active investigations by international courts.
“The duty to prevent genocide is a jus cogens obligation, a fundamental and non-derogable principle of international law,” said Commissioner Alefina Vuki.
“Every State has a legal responsibility to act to prevent the deliberate destruction of human groups. Diplomatic relations must support, not undermine, this obligation.”
The commission also highlighted that the establishment of an embassy in Jerusalem does not remove Fiji’s responsibilities under United Nations Security Council Resolution 478, which called on states to withdraw diplomatic missions from the city.
“It is critical that Fiji’s diplomatic actions do not conflict with international norms concerning occupation, self-determination, and the protection of civilians.”
The commission further noted that the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza underscored the real-world consequences of failing to uphold these principles, with women and children disproportionately affected by ongoing violence, displacement, and destruction.
“In this context, the government’s broader diplomatic engagement with Israel raises important questions about how such developments align with Fiji’s international obligations.”
The commission reaffirmed its readiness to provide independent and technical advice to support Government in aligning its foreign policy with Fiji’s human rights commitments.
