Fiji has made a significant advancement in its efforts toward increased transparency and accountability with the launch of its National Mechanism for Implementation, Reporting, and Follow-up (NMIRF) by Attorney-General Graham Leung. This initiative is seen as a critical step in fostering a more rights-respecting society within the nation.
Attorney-General Leung emphasized that establishing the NMIRF is essential for enhancing Fiji’s commitment to transparency and accountability. Additionally, he announced the creation of a Human Rights Taskforce, which has recently been approved by the Cabinet. This Taskforce is tasked with reinforcing Fiji’s human rights framework.
The Human Rights Taskforce, led by the Office of the Attorney-General, will include representatives from various government departments, including the Fiji Police Force, the Fiji Elections Office, the Fiji Bureau of Statistics, and the Fiji Corrections Service. This collaboration is aimed at fostering widespread cooperation on human rights matters throughout the government.
Leung highlighted that a top priority for the Taskforce is to develop a web-based monitoring tool for human rights, which will improve reporting and ensure comprehensive attention to human rights issues by governmental agencies. He expressed gratitude to Fiji’s development partners for their support in achieving this milestone and reaffirmed the country’s dedication 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 is also a step towards implementing the eleven recommendations from the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) accepted in 2019. Heike Alefsen, the Regional Representative of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, noted that the NMIRF marks a new chapter in Fiji’s ongoing pursuit to uphold and promote human rights, enhancing the country’s ability to systematically implement, monitor, and report on various human rights recommendations.