Extraneous of whether Fiji would have assumed the presidency of the UN Human Rights Council or not, the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission would continue to work towards strengthening the human rights landscape in Fiji, says commission director Ashwin Raj.
He was responding to the NGO Coalition on Human Rights (NGOCHR) chair Nalini Singh’s call that there should be stronger accountability and commitment to human rights in Fiji as the nation takes the world stage as the head of a UN body.
Mr Raj said the commission worked in consonance with its obligations under human rights law and constructive engagement with various human rights mechanisms was integral to that process.
“Of course, Fiji’s leadership of the Human Rights Council will no doubt strengthen the fabric of the council and has created the conditions of possibility for Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) to amplify global consciousness about the disproportionate impact of two inextricable global emergencies – climate and health – that confronts us today and we have in ambassador Khan an able human rights champion who can seamlessly translate between these global and the national imperatives,” he said.
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) elected Fiji’s ambassador Nazhat Shameem Khan as its 2021 president on January 15.
Ms Singh said as the president of the UNHRC, Fiji now faced global scrutiny on its human rights obligations.
“This is a welcome opportunity for Fiji to reflect on our progress and the existing human rights concerns that need to be addressed,” she said.
Ms Singh said it was encouraging to witness a small Pacific island nation like Fiji take the lead at a global forum and represent key regional human rights issues.
“It is also a critical time for the Pacific and Fiji, as we see the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic exacerbating human rights issues in the region. With Fiji’s new appointment, our Government must act to ensure that human rights and the principles of equality and justice are upheld across all sectors,” she said.
A recent concern had been the cases of alleged police brutality that had been raised by the NGOCHR.
The NGOCHR reiterated there must be no rollback of human rights under the guise of response measures and continued to raise concerns on the arrests of Fiji citizens during the nation-wide curfew.
“We are at the world stage taking a strong stance on human rights but we must walk the talk here at home and set the example,” she said.
“Fiji’s selection as the president of the UNHRC is a step forward in the right direction and we must keep this momentum to foster a culture that promotes and protects human rights, justice and democracy.”
