U.S. Statement at the Universal Periodic Review of Fiji
As delivered by Anna Palladino
The United States welcomes the Fijian delegation to the UPR Working Group.
We recommend that Fiji:
- Safeguard freedom of expression by ensuring that criminal and speech-related legislation are not misused to suppress media, civil society, and opposition politicians’ criticism of the government.
- Uphold freedom of assembly by ensuring that criminal statutes such as Section 15 of the Public Order Act are not used to curtail workers’ rights to form and join trade unions and to assemble.
- Take measures to permit lawful labor, political, and social protests, and to safeguard activists’ and human rights defenders’ rights to speak and peacefully assemble freely, without harassment, and unimpeded by inappropriately applied administrative impediments.
We commend Fiji on holding free and fair democratic elections in 2018; for taking seriously its obligations under the UN Convention Against Torture; and for hosting a forum earlier this year to share best practices with Pacific island partners and build momentum towards regional ratification and implementation of the UN Convention Against Torture.