Fiji has officially launched its National Mechanism for Implementation, Reporting, and Follow-up (NMIRF), a pivotal development aimed at fostering a more transparent and accountable society. Attorney-General Graham Leung unveiled the NMIRF, highlighting its importance in enhancing transparency and accountability within the nation.
Leung also announced the formation of a Human Rights Taskforce, which received recent Cabinet approval. This Taskforce is tasked with bolstering Fiji’s human rights infrastructure. Its responsibilities include coordinating the country’s interactions with international human rights entities, such as the United Nations Human Rights Treaty Bodies, the Universal Periodic Review, and the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council.
The Taskforce, led by the Office of the Attorney-General, comprises representatives from various governmental ministries and agencies, including the Fiji Police Force, the Fiji Elections Office, the Fiji Bureau of Statistics, and the Fiji Corrections Service. This collaborative approach aims to foster extensive cooperation on human rights matters throughout the government.
“Our immediate priority includes the development of a web-based monitoring tool for human rights,” said Leung. He expressed gratitude towards Fiji’s development partners for their assistance in achieving this milestone, emphasizing that the Taskforce’s creation signifies a vital commitment to human rights.
“It indicates our determination not only to fulfill our international obligations but also to nurture a society that respects and protects the rights and dignity of every individual,” he added.
The establishment of the Human Rights Taskforce aligns with Fiji’s commitment to implement the eleven Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations accepted in 2019. Heike Alefsen, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Regional Representative, remarked that the launch of Fiji’s NMIRF signifies a new chapter in the country’s dedication to promoting and safeguarding human rights. She noted that the NMIRF aims to enhance Fiji’s capacity to systematically implement, monitor, and report on the extensive human rights recommendations it has received, including those from the UPR, treaty bodies, and special procedures.