Young people Integral part Of our journey To a brighter future

The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission yesterday took its message to Vunidawa, Naitasiri, to celebrate World Human Rights Day.

Its Director, Ashwin Raj, focused on the young people, saying they needed to be inspired, empowered, heard and given the platform to exact the kind of change that the world urgently requires.

Mr Raj did not only focus on human rights but other issues like climate change.

The contribution from our young people will have a profound impact on our future.

The Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, has also spoken about their importance in national development.

Never in the history of our nation has so much attention been given to the young generation.

It is crucial that they are part of this journey at a time when we and the rest of the world are facing challenges on many fronts.

Addressing our young climate change advocates in New York in September, Mr Bainimarama said: “Your voices and your leadership - as young people – are some of the most powerful forces we wield in demanding action from the rest of the world. The struggle for decisive climate action will last for generations, and it is for the sake of your future we give our energy to this fight. I see your passion and I share your purpose. Vinaka for speaking truth to your beliefs. I thank God that Fiji’s future is in good hands.” Mr Bainimarama shows he has confidence in our young people.

Mr Raj yesterday expressed the same sentiments. We should all support our young people.

They will protect the nobel ideals that we uphold as they rise to leadership positions.

The protection of our human rights and the elimination of discrimination should always be high on their priority list.

No one should be discriminated on the grounds of race, culture, religion, political affiliation, gender or sexual orientation.

No one should be denied their basic rights as enshrined in our Constitution.

We should remove the burden of prejudice that exists in some sections of our communities that from time to time has held us back and slowed our progress.

The Commission, according to its records, has made tremendous achievements in creating public awareness on human rights.

It has even filed civil action in court to successfully defend the weak and the vulnerable of our society – like the 10-year-old boy who was taken from his home without a warrant by an arresting officer. The Commission was able to get the boy awarded a $25,000 compensation for the violation of his rights.

It’s incumbent on everyone, especially our young people, to build on the successes we have achieved so far to work towards a brighter future.