Fiji to examine and provide responses by March 2015 on Universal Periodic Review

Fiji will examine and provide responses by March 2015 in relation to some recommendations made by some nations following the Universal Periodic Review conducted by the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

While member nations of the UN Human Rights Council have commended Fiji’s return to parliamentary democracy under a new Constitution, Estonia and Namibia have called for the establishment of a Constitutional Commission to review the Constitution.

These two countries have said that a commission should be established to ensure that the constitution is reflective of the will of the people.

In its recommendation, the US wants Fiji to ensure respect for freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association by amending aspects of decrees such as the Public Order Act Amendment Decree, the Political Parties Decree and the Media Industry Development Decree.

According to the UN report, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland have recommended that the Media Decree, the Essential National Industries Decree and the Public Order Decrees be reviewed and amended or repealed.

Germany also recommended that the Media Industry Development Decree be repealed while Australia has called on Fiji to conclude the Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding on the future of labour relations in Fiji.

According to the UN report, there are some recommendations that enjoy the support of Fiji which it considers that they already implemented or are in the process of implementation.

This includes a recommendation from the US that Fiji takes steps to bring labour laws and practices in line with its international obligations and under relevant International Labour Organization conventions.

Fiji also supports the recommendation by Mexico that the Media Decree be harmonized with international standards and for a Freedom of Information law to be enacted.

Fiji also supported the recommendation from Ireland that steps should be taken to bring domestic law and practice into line with existing international human rights standards in relation to freedom of expression, including media freedom.

We have requested the Head of the Fiji delegation to the meeting in Geneva, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum for an interview.

Meanwhile National Federation Party Leader Biman Prasad said the party has studied the 23‑page report on Fiji which contains the recommendations of 54 States.

He said the NFP is concerned that apart from agreeing to harmonize the Media Industry Development Decree and taking steps to bring labour laws in line with ILO Convention, major recommendations like establishing a Constitutional Commission, amending certain decrees and inviting special rapporteurs to Fiji will be considered by Government and responded to in March 2015.

The NFP Leader said these decrees were imposed without the participation of the aggrieved parties.

Prasad said now is the chance to consult all the people directly or through their elected representatives in accordance with Section 173 of the Constitution.

He said there has to be consensus on what is the best and ideal legislation to benefit the entire nation.

The NFP said the Media Industry Development Authority Decree, the Essential National Industries Decree and the Political Parties Decree must be repealed by Parliament.

Biman Prasad also urges Government to introduce Bills for the enactment of the Accountability and Transparency Commission and a Code of Conduct for public officers including Government and Members of Parliament.