FWRM suggest strong recommendation to improve Fiji's human rights obligations

The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement is suggesting a strong recommendation to improve compliance to maintain a balance between public order and the safeguard of Fiji’s human rights obligations.

While giving the submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights on the amendment of the Public Order Act, FWRM’s Michelle Reddy says that restrictions on political meetings or on debates of questions of public interest, where there is no reasonable proof of incitement to violence, undermines true democracy.

She also raised concerns in relation to the recent arrest of some people which has brought public scrutiny on the Public Order Act.

She also raised concerns that the proposed bill is too vague and broad.

Committee Chairman, Ashneel Sundhakar says that their concerns have been noted.

Sudhakar says the committee will see how the Public Order Act could be amended with their proposed suggestions.