Delegation highlights laws needing change

MEMBERS of the United Nations Human Rights Council had highlighted a number of issues for Fiji in the Universal Periodic Review final report published on December 23, last year.

Legislation under the spotlight included the Public Order (Amendment) Act, the Media Industry Development Decree, the Electoral Act 2014, the Online Safety Act and the Essential National Industries (Employment) Decree.

UNHRC members had called on Fiji to repeal all laws and policies that unlawfully restricted fundamental rights of freedom of expression, assembly and association, including sections of the Public Order (Amendment) Act, the Media Industry Development Decree, the Electoral Act 2014 and the Online

Safety Act.

UNHRC members had also asked Fiji to guarantee freedom of expression and opinion and freedom of the press, by ensuring respect for the rights of journalists and human rights defenders and reviewing the Media Industry Development Decree 2010.

On the recommendation of France, Fiji was asked to repeal and amend laws “which punishes any journalistic publication against the general interest or public order, in order to avoid abusive interpretations”.

Some UNHRC member States said by repealing the Media Industry Development Decree 2010 and implementing legislation which allowed freedom of expression and assembly and association, Fiji would bring itself in line with international human rights standards.