Opposition Leader Sitiveni Rabuka believes the UN Human Rights Council review shows the government has made little progress in protecting media freedom, the rights of workers, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, with what he calls the continued enforcement of anti-human rights laws.
We are still awaiting comments from Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum on the government’s stand on the UN recommendations.
However, Rabuka made these comments in light of United Nations Human Rights Council's recommendations for Fiji to repeal laws and policies that they say unlawfully restrict fundamental rights of freedom of expression, assembly and association, including sections of the Public Order (Amendment) Act, the Media Industry Development Act, the Electoral Act 2014 and the Online Safety Act.
Rabuka says it is unfortunate that despite being a member of the UN Human Rights Council, the government does not practice at home what it preaches on the global stage.
It has been recommended that Fiji takes the necessary measures in order to revise the law on the development of the media, review legislation that affects freedom of speech, particularly the Crimes Act, the Media Industry Development Act and the Public Order (Amendment) Act, to bring them into compliance with Fiji’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The report recommends that Fiji amends the Media Industry Development Act, the Public Order (Amendment) Act and the sedition provisions of the Crimes Act, which restrict freedom of expression, the press and assembly.
It recommends guaranteeing freedom of expression and opinion and freedom of the press, by ensuring respect for the rights of journalists and human rights defenders and reviewing the Media Industry Development Act, which punishes any journalistic publication against the general interest or public order, in order to avoid abusive interpretation.
Fiji has been given by the 24th of this month to respond to the UN.
When questioned by Fijivillage, Director of the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission and MIDA Chairman Ashwin Raj says he needs time to analyze the UN Human Rights Council's recommendations because it’s important that they do not generalize it.
Raj says he will release a statement on the matter later this week.
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