Fiji has officially launched its National Mechanism for Implementation, Reporting, and Follow-up (NMIRF), an initiative aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights within the country. Attorney-General Graham Leung declared this development as a vital milestone in Fiji’s journey toward fostering a more open society.
Leung highlighted the importance of the NMIRF in advancing the nation’s efforts in these areas. He also announced the formation of a Human Rights Taskforce, which received recent approval from Cabinet, to further strengthen the human rights framework in Fiji.
The Taskforce will coordinate the country’s interactions with various international human rights organizations, including the United Nations Human Rights Treaty Bodies, the Universal Periodic Review, and the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. It will be led by the Office of the Attorney-General and will include representatives from different government agencies such as the Fiji Police Force, the Fiji Elections Office, the Fiji Bureau of Statistics, and the Fiji Corrections Service.
This collaborative approach aims to promote comprehensive cooperation on human rights issues throughout the government. Leung emphasized that a key immediate focus will be developing a web-based monitoring tool for human rights, which will enhance reporting and ensure that these issues are adequately addressed by government bodies. He expressed gratitude to Fiji’s development partners for their support in reaching this key milestone and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to human rights.
He stated, “It reflects our resolve to not only meet our international obligations but also to create a society where the rights and dignity of every individual are respected and protected.” The establishment of the Human Rights Taskforce also responds to the eleven Universal Periodic Review recommendations accepted by Fiji in 2019.
Heike Alefsen, the Regional Representative of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, remarked that the creation of the NMIRF opens a new chapter in Fiji’s ongoing endeavor to promote and protect human rights. She added that the NMIRF is structured to enhance Fiji’s capacity to implement, monitor, and report on a wide range of human rights recommendations, including those from their UPR, treaty bodies, and special procedures.