Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission

Establishment

The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission (FHRADC) was created by presidential decree in 2009, succeeding the entity of the same name established as an independent statutory body under the 1997 Constitution of the Republic of the Fiji Islands.

Mission and Values

The mission of the FHRADC is to take a lead role in the promotion, protection and fulfillment of human rights for all in Fiji.

The Commission is committed to:

  • Promoting, protecting and fulfilling human rights: Every person to be treated with dignity, respect and equality, with a gender analysis applied to all of the Commission's work
  • Exercising the Commission’s authority and powers independently: In the performance of its functions or the exercise of its authority and powers, the Commission shall be independent and shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority, except by a court of law or as otherwise prescribed by written law.
  • Promoting access to justice and equal application of the law: Promoting access to justice and equal application of the law including relevant international human rights law
  • Providing a professional, transparent, accountable, ethical, responsive, and effective service: Professional, transparent, accountable, ethical, responsive and effective in all dealings on behalf of the Commission.

Role and Functions

Section 45 (4) of the Fijian Constitution bestows the Commission with the following responsibilities:

  • Promoting the protection and observance of, and respect for, human rights in public and private institutions, and to develop a culture of human rights in Fiji
  • Education about the rights and freedoms recognised in the bill of rights of the Constitution as well as other internationally recognised rights and freedoms
  • Monitoring, investigating and reporting on the observance of human rights in all spheres of life
  • Making recommendations to Government concerning matters affecting the rights and freedoms recognised in the bill of rights including recommendations concerning existing or proposed laws
  • Receiving and investigating complaints about alleged abuses of human rights and take steps to secure appropriate redress if human rights have been violated, including making applications to court for redress or for other forms of relief or remedies
  • Investigating or researching, on its own initiative or on the basis of a complaint, any matter in respect of human rights, and make recommendations to improve the functioning of public or private entities
  • Performing any other functions or exercising any powers as are conferred on the Commission by a written law
  • Monitoring compliance by the State with obligations under treaties and conventions relating to human rights.

APF membership

2022 (27th Annual Meeting).


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