Thomas Carnegie
An organisation promoting human rights has sent letters to Fiji's major political parties, calling on them to make human rights issues central to their campaigns for the upcoming election.
Human Rights Watch says voters will only be fully informed when voting if parties publicly commit to human rights issues.
The organisation sent letters to the five major parties – Fiji First Party, Fiji Labour Party, National Federation Party, People’s Democratic Party and Social Democratic Party – urging them to make human rights issues a priority.
In these letters they outline key human right challenges such as freedom of expression, independence of the judiciary, failure of the courts to uphold rights protection, labour rights and constitutional reform.
Free speech
Fiji’s constitution has been criticised by Amnesty International for severely restricting free speech and giving state officials immunity for a wide range of acts, including crimes under international law such as torture.
Amnesty International also criticised the constitution for allowing the government to interfere with the rights of freedom of expression, assembly and association.
Human Rights Watch says parties should commit to a process of revising the constitution to eliminate the amnesties for rights abuses. They also call for the parties to ensure that the revised constitution fully conforms to international human rights standards.
Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, says parties should commit to these reforms to ensure democratic governance and the respect for human rights are at the forefront of the new government’s agenda.
“This election provides a critical chance for Fiji’s voters to demand an end to rights abusing policies that prevent people from speaking their minds, joining groups, or holding peaceful protests,” says Robertson.
Human Rights Watch says the major parties should campaign to reverse policies that lead to human rights abuses and commit to addressing these issues after the election.
Robertson says commitment by parties is necessary so voters can be fully informed when voting.
“The people of Fiji have the right to go to the polls fully informed about how the parties they choose will rule when it comes to defending people’s fundamental rights”.
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