I am very pleased to present the Human Rights and AntiDiscrimination Commission’s Annual Report for the year ending 31 December, 2018 as required by section 44 (1) of the Human Rights and AntiDiscrimination Commission Act. This Report reflects the dispensation of the Commission’s constitutional mandate under the Fijian Constitution and its core responsibilities as a national human rights commission. 2018 is historic for the Human Rights and AntiDiscrimination Commission and the country as a whole as Fiji won a seat and subsequently assumed the vice-presidency of the United Nations Human Rights Council. This is significant as it gives us a global recognition for our commitment to promoting and protecting human rights. Equally important was the 2018 General Election which saw a fair and credible election process with thousands of Fijians exercising their political rights freely and fearlessly leading the nation to democratic rule. Pursuant to section 6 (2), the State and every person holding public office must respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights and freedoms recognised under the Bill of Rights provisions of the Fijian Constitution. As a national human rights institution, the Commission had undertaken a range of activities to dispense its constitutional obligation to 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. These included: monitoring, investigating and reporting on the observance of human rights in all spheres of life; receiving and investigating complaints about alleged abuses of human rights and taking 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; and monitoring compliance by the State with obligations under treaties and conventions relating to human rights. The audit of Commission’s financials by the Office of the Auditor General commenced in December 2018. This is a requirement under Section 16 (2) of the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission Act. The Commission awaits the outcome of the financial audit. I would like to express my gratitude to the Fijian Government, our development partners, the United Nations and Development Programme, the Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Pacific and the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF) for their continued support in promoting human rights in Fiji. I would like to also thank the Director and his team for their efforts in building public confidence and most importantly succeeding in securing Fiji a seat at the United Nations Human Rights Council. This report demonstrates the growing public confidence in the Human Rights and AntiDiscrimination Commission with ongoing robust engagement with diverse groups, civil society orgnisations, parliamentary standing committees, media and members of public who seek advice and lodge complaints in relation to human rights violations. The Commission will continue to work towards becoming a fully Paris Principles compliant national human rights institution. Honourable Mr Justice Kamal Kumar Acting Chief Justice of Fiji and Chairperson FIJI HUMAN RIGHTS & ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMISSION Chairperson’s Report ANNUAL REPORT 2018 13