FIJI HUMAN RIGHTS & ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMISSION
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
50
Client satisfaction and treating them with respect and
dignity should be key while serving them. This was a
key message given by the Director, Mr. Ashwin Raj
to Legal Aid Commission lawyers who were part of
a workshop on customer care. Mr. Raj emphasized
that public office-holders needed to be customerorientated and compassionate when dealing with
members of the public seeking their services. Public
office-holders must discharge their duty respectfully
and without discrimination at all times.
Human Rights Training for Sex
Workers
Director, Mr. Ashwin Raj with the Strumphet Alliance Network members
at a workshop
Human rights values and principles of nondiscrimination were at the centre of discussion at a
workshop on sensitising Law Enforcement Agencies
to understand rights of marginalised groups. Members
of the Strumphet Alliance Network and Survival
Advocacy Network Fiji (SAN) participated in the
workshop with Director, Mr. Ashwin Raj as the guest
speaker. Gender discrimination, use of violence, body
searches and right to be free from cruel and degrading
treatment were some issues highlighted by Mr. Raj
during the workshop.
Dialogue on Safeguards against
Torture
Geneva, 13 September 2018: On the margins of the 39th session of the
Human Rights Council, the Republic of Fiji and Convention against
Torture Initiative (CTI) hosted an event on Safeguards against torture –
the implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) in Fiji.
This event took the form of a panel discussion followed by an interactive
dialogue.
The Commission through its Director, Mr. Ashwin
Raj was part of the Fijian delegation to attend and
participate as a panelist at Fiji’s side events at the
39th Session of the Human Rights Council. The
Fijian delegation comprised of Fiji's Permanent
Representative to the United Nations Office in
Geneva, Hon. Chief Justice, Commissioner for Fiji
Corrections Service, Executive Director Legal Aid
Commission including Director, Human Rights AntiDiscrimination Commission. The Permanent Mission
of the Republic of Fiji to the United Nations Office
and other International Orgnisations in Geneva held
two side events which were: Safeguards against torture
– Implementation of the Convention against Torture and
Other Cruel, Inhumane and Degrading Treatment or
Punishment in Fiji and Human Rights for prisoners Implementing the Nelson Mandela Rules in Fiji.
It is imperative that every Fijian, irrespective of geography, race,
ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation gender identity and
expression, age, socio-economic background, ideological dispositions
and political proclivities knows that they have the right to have rights.