The NGO Coalition on Human Rights has said it is concerned that Fiji has abstained from voting on the United Nations General Assembly Resolution which recognized the role of human rights defenders and the need for their protection.
Coalition Chair Shamima Ali said by not supporting the resolution, Fiji seems to be telling the world that they do not support the work of human rights defenders nor do they believe that human rights defenders should be protected.
She said this decision to abstain was made on 25th November which was the day for International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which is also the start of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence campaign.
Ali added that by abstaining from the human rights defenders declaration, Fiji may be implying that its Bill of Rights is not as robust as it would like.
She added the NGO Coalition stands ready to support Fiji in meeting its human rights obligations.
Meanwhile, the office of the Opposition Leader has released a statement demanding the Fijian government to explain to the people why it has abstained from voting.
The statement which has been authorized by Opposition Parliamentarian Niko Nawaikula and is also questioning human rights defenders in Fiji as to why they cozy up to the government.
Nawaikula said he understands that Shamima Ali of the Fiji Women’s Crises Centre hosted a dialogue with youth organizations and the government and the meeting was opened by Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
Nawaikula has questioned whether these Fiji human rights defenders are in denial.
Shamima Ali has refused to comment on Nawaikula’s statement.
Sayed-Khaiyum is yet to comment.
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