Human Rights Commission Fiji

📢 What goes into developing a Human Rights report?

At the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission, our work is grounded in careful research, consultation, and collaboration.

We are currently in the final stages of completing our Baseline Study on the rights of children with disabilities, which will be released publicly in July. ♿💙

As part of this process:

🔍 Evidence and lived experiences have been gathered through consultations with children, families, and communities across Fiji
📝 Findings have been compiled and validated to ensure they accurately reflect these experiences
🤝 The report is now being reviewed by the Advisory Committee, with final discussions taking place this week ahead of its public release

📸 Moments from this week’s discussions.

Supported by Australia through the Vuvale Partnership and UNDP’s Peacebuilding Fund initiative, this work reflects our ongoing commitment to strengthening inclusion, protection, and support for children with disabilities in Fiji.

🔍 Online Safety & Human Rights in Fiji

The rise in cyberbullying and online abuse is a serious concern in Fiji, and it’s not just a digital issue, it’s a human rights issue.

No one should feel unsafe, especially our children and young people. Online harm can affect dignity, privacy, and freedom of expression.

🤔 So what can we do?

👉 This week, made a submission to the Online Safety Commission.

We support the role of the Act in protecting people, especially women, children, and those facing online abuse.

At the same time, it’s important that any changes to the law respect human rights, including freedom of expression and privacy (such as how personal data is collected, used, and protected).

✅ Strong laws should protect people and respect their rights.

We’ll continue advocating for the right balance so online spaces are safer for all Fijians. In the meantime, Fiji, we’d like to hear from you: What do you think about online safety in Fiji? 💬

🕐 To help keep this space respectful and safe, we’ll be actively monitoring comments for the first hour after posting. Comments will be turned off after that.

📚 Strengthening complaints handling and investigation practices through collaboration 🤝

The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission ( ) this week convened a three-day Complaints Handling Training Programme.

The training brought together facilitators from the Australian Human Rights Commission, Norton Rose Fulbright Australia, and FHRADC to strengthen skills in complaint handling including conciliation, investigations, procedural fairness, and alternative dispute resolution.

The programme reflects FHRADC’s continued commitment to enhancing institutional capacity, promoting fair and effective complaints processes, and advancing a human rights-based approach in service delivery.

FHRADC acknowledges and thanks the Australian Human Rights Commission, Norton Rose Fulbright Australia, DFAT Australia and UNDP for their valuable collaboration and support in delivering this important initiative. ️

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

🌈 17 May – International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)🌈

This year’s theme, “At the Heart of Democracy”, reminds us that everyone must be able to live free from fear and participate equally in society. ✊🏽⚖️

is a day marked annually to raise awareness and stand against discrimination and to promote inclusion. Human rights belong to us all. Always. 💙🌍

🌈✨

🔍 Did you know?

The Fiji Government has a Protective Security Framework which strengthens how agencies manage risks, information, and security.

⚖️ These measures matter because they directly impact people’s rights (especially how information is handled).

🤝 The Commission participated in national consultations, sharing insights on how we protect our community through four key pillars:

1. Security Governance
2. Personnel Security
3.Information Security
4. Physical Security

Our representatives included Commissioner Alefina Vuki, Director Loukinikini Vili Lewaravu, Lilian Mausio, and Tiko Nobis.

✅ Strengthening security while safeguarding rights is a shared responsibility.

The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission acknowledges that four police officers have been charged in relation to an alleged assault case referred to the Police by the Commission on behalf of the victim.

In News
Central Division Validation Workshop on the Baseline Study on rights of children with disabilities.

Children shape national disability study | Fiji Sun National study highlights gaps, progress for children with disabilities.

Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders visits in Suva

Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission hosted the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Mary Lawlor, during her informal visit to Fiji late last month.

Discussions addressed key human rights issues, including the promotion and protection of press freedom, safeguarding rights in the digital and cyber space, civil and political rights and the independence of National Human Rights Institutions in line with international standards.

FHRADC was represented by the Director, Loukinikini Lewaravu and her team.