human rights
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UN rights envoy Mary Lawlor urges Fiji to secure free, prior and informed consent for Namosi dam and open-pit mine
UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor visits Fiji on an informal mission, spotlighting local concerns over proposed hydroelectric and mining projects in Namosi. The focus is on land rights, livelihoods, and the protection of defenders through free, prior and informed consent amid rising development tensions.
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Fiji rights panel urges community-first planning for major projects as Vuda waste-to-energy plan faces scrutiny
Fiji’s Human Rights Commission is urging a rights-based approach to major development, stressing that projects like the Vuda waste-to-energy plant must safeguard community health and the environment from the outset. The call centers on transparent, inclusive planning as public debate over big infrastructure intensifies.
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Solomon Islands Opposition Leader Demands UN Access to West Papua, Urges Pacific Pressure on Indonesia
An urgent call for international action over fresh West Papua reports tests Pacific diplomacy as leaders press for UN access and independent monitoring to shine a light on the crisis.
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Fiji Constitution Review: Human Rights Commission Calls for Broad Public Submissions
Public submissions open on Fiji’s constitutional review, inviting a national conversation about who speaks, and how a rights-based path could shape the future. The HRADC pledges a human-rights lens on the debate, spotlighting questions of identity, the role of religion, and the reach of the Bill of Rights—while urging open, independent dialogue.
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Fiji rights groups warn chiefs’ constitutional proposals could roll back secularism and protections
New proposals for Fiji’s Constitution are sparking warnings that fundamental rights could be rolled back and the secular framework eroded. Critics fear changes to citizenship definitions and anti-discrimination protections could widen divisions in Fiji’s diverse society. The reform process is heating up as calls for an inclusive, rights‑based path forward grow stronger.
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Fiji closes public submissions for first-of-its-kind study on children with disabilities
Voices from families, teachers and frontline workers could shape Fiji’s approach to disability rights for children. A nationwide study is gathering lived experiences to spotlight gaps in support and guide future laws and services as submissions near their close.
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Fiji mourns former president Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, champion of rights-based HIV response in the Pacific
Longtime Pacific HIV advocate and former Fiji leader Ratu Epeli Nailatikau is remembered for turning talk into action—bridging governance and community to advance dignity and rights for people living with HIV. His decades-long work touched laws, policy, and everyday lives, leaving a lasting blueprint for an inclusive, people-centered response across the region.
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Fiji pushes gender-inclusive land reforms and climate policy rooted in human rights
Fiji is steering its land and climate reforms toward deeper inclusion, with a focus on women, girls and other vulnerable communities. Officials emphasize gender-responsive planning and meaningful consultation to balance rights, culture, and resilience—hinting at a broader shift in governance and development.
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Fiji Human Rights Commission urges Israel ties to uphold international law and genocide-prevention duty
Fiji’s human rights commission cautions that deeper engagement with Israel must still uphold international law and protect civilians amid ongoing regional tensions. A reminder that diplomacy carries legal and ethical responsibilities beyond bilateral gains.
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UN Praises Samoa for No Enforced Disappearances, Seeks Updates on Missing Persons and Extradition Training
A UN human rights committee notes Samoa has no reported enforced disappearances, but urges updates on two unresolved missing-person cases and clearer rules for extradition and handling foreign nationals. The discussion also highlights training gaps and limited resources as safeguards are strengthened.