Fiji Human Rights Commission and Fiji Corrections Service undergo training on Nelson Mandela Rules

The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission and the Fiji Corrections Service were part of a three-day training on the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners also known as the Nelson Mandela Rules and on the purpose and procedure of inspections of places of detention.

Over the course of the training, 17 participants engaged in practical exercises to consider best international practices for the treatment of prisoners together with the conduct of and principles that apply to inspections of prisons and places of detention.

Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission Director, Ashwin Raj says the Commission will continue to constructively engage with the Fiji Corrections Service in ensuring that places and conditions of detention, including the procedures of inspection, are consistent with human rights, human dignity and non-discrimination and is in consonance with international best practice such as the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.

Raj says the training is part of their continuous efforts in ensuring that Fiji continues to meet its obligations under the UN Convention Against Torture.

The training was facilitated by the Association for the Prevention of Torture and supported under the Fiji Access to Justice Project, which is funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme.
 
The project, implemented from 2016 to 2021, aims at improving the functioning of the justice system in Fiji and improving access to justice for the population, in particular for the less privileged and most vulnerable people.

Deputy Commissioner for Corrections, Apimeleki Taukei says the they are grateful for this tripartite partnership between UNDP, Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission and Fiji Corrections Service in delivering further training on the minimum standards under the Mandela Rules to our personnel.

Vice President of Prevention of Torture, Michael Kellett says they are very happy to continue their long association with Fiji and to be able to help support the criminal justice agencies here in their programme of implementing international standards and developing their personnel. 

The participants also considered the application of the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in Fiji in the lead up to the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva next month. 

The participants also considered the specific needs of vulnerable persons deprived of their liberty to include persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ community, children and the elderly.

The Ambassador and Head of the European Union Delegation for the Pacific, His Excellency Sujiro Seam says globally, the fight against torture is one of the long-standing priorities for the European Union and they actively work with the UN bodies and national partners to prevent and eradicate all forms of torture and ill-treatment worldwide. 
The UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji Resident Representative, Levan Bouadze says UNDP is happy to support the Fiji Corrections Service and the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission in their collaboration on this important issue, and for enhancing dialogue and cooperation within the justice sector for the purpose of delivering access to justice for all Fijians.