Call to extend standing invitation to 3 UN special procedure mandate holders

FIJI has been urged to extend a standing invitation to three United Nations Special Procedures mandate holders to visit the country.

This is stated in the submission by CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation,

PaciƝc Islands Association of Non-Government Organisations (PIANGO), Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) and Amnesty International to the United Nations ahead of Fiji’s examination in January 2025 under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

The Civil Society Organisations (CSO’s) are asking for the visit of special rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, special rapporteur on the promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression and the special rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association.

The CSO’s are also asking the Fijian government for state engagement with civil society in the report that will be given for the UPR examination.

“Include CSOs in the UPR process before Ɲnalising and submitting the national report,” states the submission.

“Systematically consult with civil society on the implementation of UPR recommendations, including by holding periodical comprehensive consultations with a diverse range of civil society. Incorporate the results of this UPR into action plans for the promotion and protection of all human rights, taking into account the proposals of civil society, and present a midterm evaluation report to the Human Rights Council on the implementation of the recommendations of this session.”