UPR WORKING GROUP –20th SESSION

[27 October -7 November 2014]

UPR of Fiji - INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE

[29 October 2014, 9:00 -12:00 am]

STATEMENT BY INDIA

Mr. President,

1. India welcomes the delegation of Fiji led by H.E. Mr. Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum,Attorney Generaland Minister of justice and thanks the delegation for its presentation and its National Report.

2. We congratulate Fiji for the successful conduct of democratic elections where India was invited, along with other countries,to monitor the process. These elections and adoption of the new constitution ushered in a new era of democracy and political reform in the country.

3. We take positive note of Fiji’s commitment to ratify core human rights Conventions within 10 years. In this regard, we recommend that priority is accorded to ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESR). This will not only strengthen Fiji’s normative and institutional framework on human rights but also help Fiji’s own commitment for “cultivating an ethos of a responsible human rights culture”.

4.  Fiji’s efforts in implementing recommendations accepted during the first cycle are noteworthy.  Substantial budgetary allocation to ensure access to justice, the HIV/ Aids decree, national policy on persons with disabilities andnational gender policy are laudable steps. We recommend that Fiji takes appropriate steps to ensure that the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission functions in compliance with the Paris Principles.

5. The emphasis on good governance in the Constitution and the Government’s Strategic Development Plan for 2009-2014 are a testimony to Fiji’s strong commitment to strengthen public accountability and transparency and ensuring effective leadership. We recommend that Fiji expedite the enactment of the Right to Information Bill.

6. India acknowledges the challenges and constraints faced by Fiji in securing the human rights of all its citizens. As the country charts out a new path through a peaceful transition to greater democracy, India remains committed to cooperation in its development and wishesit the best.

Thank you, Mr. President.

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