Independence of judiciary greatest concern

Independence of judiciary greatest concern to international community

The Fiji Government should urgently address concerns on the independence of the judiciary and the state of the rule of law, as the issue is of the greatest concern to the international community, says the Citizens’ Constitutional Forum (CCF).

CCF welcomes the participation of the Fiji Government in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Fiji by the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) as well as their co-operation with the HRC. Fiji was reviewed by the HRC from 9am – 12pm on 11 February 2010 in Geneva. A live broadcast can be viewed on: www.un.org/webcast/unhcr/index.asp

Rev Akuila Yabaki, the Chief Executive Officer of CCF was present during the review session in Geneva and participated in the lead-up events. “The 3-hour session was done through interactive dialogue, whereby questions were asked by UN Member Country representatives and the Fiji delegation answered the questions,“ Rev Yabaki said.

“Seventeen of the 31 UN Member Countries present raised concerns about the independence of the judiciary and the state of the rule of law in Fiji. They called on the Fiji government to invite the Special Rapporteurs on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers to visit Fiji,” Rev Yabaki said.

“The Head of the Fiji Delegation, Ambassador Peceli Vocea, in his response, said the Fiji Government had not refused, but delayed inviting the Special Rapporteurs on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers to visit Fiji,” Rev Yabaki said. He added, that if the Interim Government has confidence in the independence of the judiciary, then they should invite the Special Rapporteurs to visit Fiji soon in order to establish this.

CCF says the concerns raised by the HRC should be taken seriously and the Fiji Government needs to respond to them in a timely manner.
For further information, contact CCF on ph: 3308379 or fax: 3308380.

ENDS