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Seventeen Fiji non-government and civil society organisations have submitted reports to a United Nations review in Geneva today of Fiji’s human rights record.
Conducted by the UN Human Rights Council, the examination is part of the UN’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process which involves a review of the human rights records of all 192 UN member states once every four years.
“The UPR presents a significant opportunity for the international community to engage constructively with Fiji on human rights concerns,” said Matilda Bogner, regional representative of the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCR).
The UPR gives all member states an opportunity to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries.
Bogner said the Fiji review takes account of the Fiji government’s position, presented in the Fiji state report. The review also considers reports from UN bodies and civil society organisations.
“This allows the Council to receive a range of views on the human rights situation in Fiji before having an interactive dialogue,” Bogner said.
Reviews take place through discussion between the State under review and other UN member States.
“During this discussion any UN member State can pose questions, comments and/or make recommendations to the States under review.”
“Following the review a report with recommendations is prepared with the involvement of Fiji under review and assistance from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Later in the year, the State under review is asked to state publicly which recommendations it can commit to implementing.”
