After 19 years, the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission has proudly welcomed back the 27-member Asia Pacific Forum, hosting the 30th Annual General Meeting in Fiji. This significant event marks a milestone for the commission, which had been suspended from the forum in 2007 due to the Bainimarama-led coup that impacted its operations.
Commission director Loukinikini Lewaravu emphasized the importance of this gathering, noting that it not only represents an opportunity for regional heads of national human rights institutions to meet but also serves as a platform for advocating for Fiji’s re-accreditation under the United Nations Paris Principles on Human Rights. The commission is striving towards achieving its “A” accreditation, which signifies full compliance with human rights standards—a status it once held prior to the coup.
The first time Fiji hosted the annual general meeting was in 2006, making the current occasion only the second instance of the commission bringing this prestigious meeting back to its shores. This revitalization comes at a time when the Fiji government is also reaffirming its dedication to human rights, as acknowledged at the recent United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review.
Attorney-General Graham Leung has played a pivotal role in pledging the government’s commitment to restoring the commission’s full accreditation. Efforts include reforming the commission’s leadership structure to enhance independence and transparency, seeking to align the commission’s operations with global human rights standards and address past criticisms of partiality.
Chairperson Pravesh Sharma has voiced optimism about these developments, emphasizing that the commission’s recent initiatives towards merit-based appointments signify a renewed focus on accountability. This transparency is viewed as essential for rebuilding the commission’s credibility and for ensuring that it effectively advocates for human rights in Fiji.
There is a palpable sense of hope as Fiji navigates these pivotal changes, with the Asia Pacific Forum meeting serving as both a celebration of past achievements and a launching point for future initiatives. By strengthening its human rights framework, Fiji looks poised to foster better legal protections and a more robust civil society supporting human dignity and rights.