Fiji’s Mission in Geneva has reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with the United Nations in Geneva and the UN in Vienna in advancing Fiji’s interests and development priorities. This was conveyed through the Fiji Mission’s message on the occasion of Fiji’s 50th Anniversary of Independence.
In delivering the anniversary message on behalf of Fiji Mission in Geneva, the Permanent Representative of Fiji to the United Nations and Other International Organisations (PRUNOG) Ambassador Nazhat Shameem Khan said that Fiji has made remarkable achievements and recognition in areas of UN peacekeeping, multilateralism, human rights, climate change, inclusivity and sovereignty.
Ambassador Khan stated that Fiji’s 2013 Constitution contains one of the most comprehensive and progressive Bill of Rights in the world. The Fiji Mission in Geneva is working closely with UN Human Rights Council and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in ensuring the Bill of Rights is relative to all Fijians.
“Ensuring that relevance is a responsibility of the Geneva Mission. Whether it is by organising anti torture events in Geneva for the police, prisons, judiciary and Legal Aid Commission of Fiji, or by working on integrating the Nelson Mandela Rules into Fiji`s prisons structure, or by facilitating Fiji’s reports to treaty bodies or the Human Rights Council through the Universal Periodic Review, the Geneva Mission works at moving Fiji forward on the journey our elders undertook in 1970, to a future based on dignity, partnership and equality.
“The Parliament of Fiji has shown great commitment to the ratification of international human rights instruments.
“We are proud that in the years since the Geneva Mission opened, Fiji has ratified all core human rights conventions, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, The International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, the ILO Convention against Violence at Work, and the Treaty against Nuclear Weapons.
“We are now moving towards the signing of the Optional Protocols under these Conventions. These are important milestones in the journey of a country,” Ambassador Khan said.
Ambassador Khan reiterated that integrating human rights and climate action with a focus on Blue Oceans Economy is central to the work carried out by the Fiji Mission in Geneva.
“We continue to advocate for programmes on climate change in every UN Organisation in Geneva. Next year, Fiji will chair, the Platform on Disaster Displacement, a body committed to work with States to ensure that displacement caused by sudden and slow onset disasters, is orderly, dignified, planned, inclusive and participatory. Similarly the partnership with World Health Organisation and World Trade Organisation is a defining feature of the Geneva Mission.
In paying tribute to all those who have supported the Mission’s work, Ambassador Khan thanked Fiji’s development partners, Mission staff and diaspora for their tremendous support to the Mission.
“We look forward to continue to work with UN Geneva and Vienna. I thank all our colleagues from all Missions in Geneva, and all staff of the international organisations here for their continuous support and encouragement. I thank the Federal Government of Switzerland, our host, for its steady support and collegiality towards the Fiji Mission. I thank our Pacific colleagues and diaspora for the support given unfailingly to the Geneva Mission and its staff. It is together and in partnership, that we Fijians can look to a future which celebrates equality, respect, dignity, and economic growth.
“Vinaka vakalevu, a happy birthday to all Fijians, on Fiji`s 50th Anniversary.”