The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission is urging collective action from relevant stakeholders to address cyberbullying, harassment, and hate speech on social media platforms.
This call follows news that a member of the LGBTI community and a social media influencer allegedly committed suicide on Tuesday night due to relentless bullying and harassment on a public Facebook chat forum.
It is reported that the deceased faced humiliation, threats, and abuse from commenters, some of whom were using anonymous accounts.
Commission Chair Pravesh Sharma highlighted that cyberbullying infringes on several human rights, including the right to life, privacy, and dignity.
Sharma expressed concern that public chat forums on social media are failing to effectively moderate and control harmful comments.
“The responsibility lies with the administrators of these forums and the commenters, and they must face the full extent of the law,” Sharma stated.
He emphasized that freedom of speech comes with responsibilities and limitations. Sharma cited Section 17 (3)(b)(i) of the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji, which permits limiting free speech to protect the reputation, privacy, dignity, rights, or freedoms of others, including protection from hate speech.
Sharma also referenced Section 26 (3)(a) of the Constitution, which prohibits unfair discrimination based on actual or perceived personal characteristics, including gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
The Commission has filed a complaint with the Fiji Police Force and the Online Safety Commission to investigate the reported death and hold the perpetrators accountable. Sharma stressed the need for creating a safer online environment in Fiji.