Commission lobbies for ratification of international covenants
Graphic: Women running a market stall in Suva, Fiji
Fiji's national human rights institution has called on its government to ratify both the ICCPR and the ICESCR.
The Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission has strongly recommended that Fiji ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the Fiji Sun reported.
Addressing the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, Commission Director Ashwin Raj said the Fijian Constitution, through its Bill of Rights provisions, already included key elements of the ICCPR and ICESCR.
He said the two covenants placed a positive obligation on the State to not only protect individuals against violations committed by the State but also against acts committed by private persons or entities.
Mr Raj stated that ratifying the ICCPR could be a catalyst for a valuable national discussion on justifiable limitations on civil and political rights in international law and how to interpret those rights.
He also added that ratifying the ICESCR would support Fiji to realise its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Date: 5 May 2018
Source: Fiji Sun
Image credits
- Women running a market stall in Suva, Fiji - UN Women/Olivia Owen, Flickr; http://bit.ly/2L2zsdd