The CIVICUS Monitor, an initiative from the global civil society organization CIVICUS, recently evaluated the civic space across 198 nations over the past year. Their findings are described in the report titled “People Power Under Attack 2024,” released last week. The monitor assigns scores to countries from 0 to 100 based on data collected from civil society organizations worldwide. These scores reflect incidents of protests, censorship, arrests of human rights defenders, and other forms of harassment, with higher scores indicating more open civic spaces.
One of the report’s highlights was the improvement of Fiji’s civic space rating from “Obstructed” to “Narrowed,” a change that recognizes the government’s efforts to enhance civic engagement and respect for fundamental freedoms over the past two years. This progress includes the repeal of a stringent media law that had suppressed press freedom since 2010 and the lifting of travel bans on government critics. The report also notes advancements in the independence of the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission and ongoing plans to create a Truth and Reconciliation Commission aimed at addressing past injustices.
Josef Benedict, the Asia Pacific Researcher at the CIVICUS Monitor, commented on the positive changes, stating, “After years of suppression of critical voices, over the last two years we have witnessed positive steps by the government to end the climate of fear and expand civic space which has contributed to this upgrade.” He emphasized that civil society has played a crucial role in this progress and must be included in the ongoing dialogue with the government.
Despite this encouraging upgrade—Fiji’s civic space score increased by 8 points to 64—the report warns that challenges to basic freedoms still exist. The Public Order Act remains unchanged and is still used to restrict peaceful assembly and expression. Additionally, civil society has faced denials to hold protests on human rights violations, particularly concerning issues in Palestine, and instances of intimidation have been reported against demonstrators. The sedition provisions in the Crimes Act that were used to silence journalists and critics have yet to be repealed.
For Fiji to further improve and potentially reach an “Open” classification by 2025, significant legislative reviews and repeals of restrictive laws are necessary. Authorities must also uphold the right to peaceful protest and ensure that demonstrations concerning various issues, including human rights violations, can occur without discrimination.
In the broader context of the Asia-Pacific region, the report indicates that civic space is generally more favorable in the Pacific, with seven countries classified as ‘Open’ and five ‘Narrowed.’ However, challenges persist in Papua New Guinea and Nauru, which are still categorized as ‘Obstructed.’
Overall, while the report outlines several positive advancements in Fiji’s civic space, it also stresses that sustained efforts are required to ensure freedoms are fully protected and that civil society remains actively engaged in the nation’s democratic processes. This signals a hopeful trend toward greater civic freedoms and government accountability.
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