The Fiji Delegation successfully presented Fiji’s Human Rights Report during its Fourth Universal Periodic Review to the United Nations Human Rights Council on Wednesday 22 January 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.
The delegation was led by the Attorney-General Honourable Graham Leung and included the Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Luke Daunivalu, Principal Legal Officers Ms Suliana Taukei and Ms Geraldine Naigulevu.
In delivering the Fiji Government’s opening statement, the Attorney-General reiterated Government’s commitment to advancing and protecting the fundamental human rights principles through its robust national framework, strong institutions and national policies.
He informed the Council that Fiji had implemented the majority of the recommendation from Fiji’s last Universal Period Review, most notably, the repeal of the Media Industry Development Act (MIDA) in April 2023, which was a landmark step in restoring media freedom, allowing journalists to report independently without fear of prosecution.
The Attorney-General highlighted the Government's efforts in strengthening gender equality and women’s empowerment in the areas of leadership and economic participation, climate change and in the elimination of violence against women and girls.
He stated that the Government is focusing on a coordinated effort of preventative measures in addressing gender based violence, and the implementation of strategies for a transformative institutional capacity development across Government.
A historic milestone is the launch of the National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls (2023-2028) where Fiji became the first Pacific Island Country alongside Australia, to develop an inclusive, evidence-based plan aimed at eliminating gender-based violence and empower women and girls.
On the environmental front, the Attorney-General informed the Human Rights Council of Fiji’s efforts on climate resilience and environmental justice such as nature-based seawalls, the National Adaptation Registry, and community-based disaster risk management programs.
The Attorney-General also informed the Human Rights Council on the various empowerment and awareness programs undertaken, in line with the Government’s commitment to ensuring equal access to justice for all Fijians.
During the interactive dialogue, the Attorney-General stated that while Fiji is delayed in its reporting obligation to the various treaty bodies, Fiji is committed to fulfilling its obligations and has established its Human Rights Task Force to facilitate better coordination between Government ministries and departments on human rights issues.
The Attorney-General also called on development partners for continued support through resources and technical assistance to aid in the implementation of recommendations Fiji received over 209 recommendations from member states during the review which are currently being considered.
The Report of the UPR Working Group on Fiji’s review was adopted, on Friday, 24 January 2025.