Fijian international lawyer Ana Tuiketei has created history by being appointed as the President of the Defence Committee of the International Criminal Court Bar Association (ICCBA). This achievement is a significant milestone for the Pacific region and reflects her dedication to advocating for the rights of suspects and accused individuals before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In her new role, Tuiketei will oversee a committee that is vital in providing expert guidance to the ICCBA’s Legal Advisory Committee, Executive Council, and General Assembly on critical issues regarding defense representation and fair trial rights. She brings extensive experience to this position, having previously served on the ICCBA’s Defence, Victims, and Membership Committees. Notably, she is the first Pacific Counsel accredited with both the ICC and the Kosovo Specialist Chambers.
Tuiketei’s impressive credentials extend beyond her recent appointment. She stands out as the only female Pacific Islander accredited as an arbitrator with prestigious institutions, including the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre. Her professional commitments also include serving as a member of the South Pacific Task Force for the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration, as well as the Deputy Director of the Institute of Small and Microstates in the UK. Additionally, she is an active member of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Independent Ethics Committee and contributes to the Save the Children Boards in both Fiji and Australia.
Her remarkable contributions to the legal field have not gone unnoticed; in 2017, Tuiketei was awarded the Medal of the Order of Fiji by the President. With multiple degrees and professional qualifications from esteemed institutions across Fiji, the UK, the US, and Switzerland, she is currently pursuing a PhD.
Tuiketei’s appointment stands as an inspiring symbol of representation, showcasing the significant capabilities of women in leadership within the global legal framework. Her leadership is anticipated to not only inspire others within the law profession but also enhance the commitment to ethical governance, fairness, and justice on both national and international platforms. The progress being made within Fiji’s legal sector, as exemplified by Tuiketei and her colleagues assuming vital roles in key institutions, suggests a notable shift toward reinforcing the integrity and transparency of legal processes throughout the region.