The Attorney-General of Fiji, Graham Leung, launched the National Mechanism for Implementation, Reporting, and Follow-up (NMIRF) yesterday, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s efforts to foster a more transparent, accountable, and rights-respecting society. Leung emphasized that the NMIRF’s establishment is a vital advancement in Fiji’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
He also announced the creation of a Human Rights Taskforce, which received Cabinet approval recently, to enhance the country’s human rights framework. The Taskforce’s primary function will be to manage Fiji’s interactions with international human rights organizations, such as the United Nations Human Rights Treaty Bodies, the Universal Periodic Review, and the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council.
The Office of the Attorney-General will lead the Taskforce, which comprises representatives from various government bodies, including the Fiji Police Force, the Fiji Elections Office, the Fiji Bureau of Statistics, and the Fiji Corrections Service. This collaboration is intended to promote comprehensive cooperation on human rights matters across the government.
“Our immediate priority includes developing a web-based monitoring tool and process for human rights,” Leung stated. He added that these initiatives would enable improved reporting and ensure that human rights concerns are addressed by government agencies. He expressed gratitude to Fiji’s development partners for their support in achieving this milestone, underlining that the creation of the Taskforce is a crucial marker of the country’s dedication to human rights.
Leung stressed, “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 demonstrates Fiji’s commitment to acting on the eleven Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations accepted in 2019.
Heike Alefsen, the Regional Representative for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, remarked that the NMIRF signifies a new chapter in Fiji’s ongoing journey to uphold and promote human rights. She noted that the NMIRF is intended to enhance the country’s capacity to systematically implement, monitor, and report on a broad range of human rights recommendations it has received, including those from the UPR, treaty bodies, and special procedures.