Section 12 (1) (a) of the Decree is stated as:
“to increase general awareness of human rights, including by making
public statements and educating public opinion and public officials,
coordinating human rights programs and acting as a source of human
rights information”.
1) The Education and Promotions Team has so far conducted (from
January to end of June 2012) Human Rights training in 41 Schools
covering a total of 21,636 students and 1,262 teachers. The training
includes specific references to the rights enshrined in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and also the United Nations
Conventions namely CRC, CERD, Child abuse and the Child
Protection Policy of the Ministry of Education, Fiji. Fact sheets have
been produced for the public on the Convention on the rights of the
Child and on the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of
Discrimination against Women. Other publications which are
disseminated to the public include Posters and Annual Calendars.
2) The Commission has a Library equipped with a good collection of
books. A section consisting of race relations books is also available,
which was funded by the OHCHR in 2004/05. The Research section
received a total of 71 requests this year from the public in the areas of
Gay Rights, Gender Discrimination, Sexual harassment, Violence
against Women, Child Rights and the proposed village by- laws.
3) The Complaints Section of the Commission conducted an Inspection
of all Prison Facilities in Fiji in 2011 (under Monitoring Places of
Detention) and has compiled a report. The report with
recommendations has been submitted to all relevant stakeholders for
their perusal. It is a fully independent report. The Report can be
viewed on www.fhrc.org.fj. Currently, the Section is also inspecting
holding cells in Police Stations with a view to determine the
provisions for Women detainees.
4) In the absence of a Legal Officer, complainants are advised to seek
assistance from the legal Aid Commission or to other competent
authorities (referred by way of writing). Complaints Section also
conducts conciliation conferences with a view to resolve a complaint.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Level 2, Civic Tower
Phone: (679) 3308577
Victoria Parade
Fax: (679) 3308661
3
SUVA
Email: info@fhrc.org.fj