Pillay welcomes lifting of emergency law in Fiji, encourages further steps to ensure human rights are upheld
09 January 2012 (OHCHR Headquarters, Geneva) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Monday welcomed the lifting of the Public Emergency Regulations in Fiji as a step in the right direction towards the full enjoyment of fundamental human rights in the country.
“The emergency law has seriously restricted the right to public assembly and freedom of expression, and given the authorities broad powers of arrest and detention,” the High Commissioner said.
“I welcome the cancellation of the emergency law and encourage the Government to build on this positive momentum with concrete steps to ensure full respect for the rule of law and human rights.”
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Australia's human rights situation in 2011
Matilda Bogner, OHCHR Regional Representative for the Pacific, writes that recent policy changes concerning the treatment of asylum seekers show signs of progress in Australia’s human rights situation in 2011, however some concerns remain.
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Fiji’s human rights situation in 2011
Matilda Bogner, OHCHR Regional Representative for the Pacific, writes that Fiji is yet to show progress in implementing significant commitments made during a UN human rights review of the country. Incidents in 2011 have continued to raise human rights concerns. However, there is potential to improve and show progress before Fiji comes back for review in 2014.
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UN report identifies successes in torture prevention in the Pacific
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Regional Office for the Pacific today launched Torture prevention in the Pacific: sharing good experiences and lessons learnt, a report looking at initiatives to prevent torture and ill-treatment in New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu. It follows a study in 2009 by OHCHR into the legislative and non-legislative measures in place for preventing torture and ill-treatment of detainees in the countries of the Pacific Islands Forum.
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