The new Regional Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Heike Alefsen recently made a courtesy call to acting Permanent Secretary Foreign Affairs Yogesh Karan to advance ongoing commitment to human rights in Fiji and the region.
Alefsen said ongoing discussions revolved around climate change, migration, and capacity building of law enforcement.
“We have a key partner in Fiji. The country has ratified all 9 core human rights treaties and that is something which we will hopefully see in the region as a whole so we look forward to working towards that with the other Pacific Islands States.
The regional representative said Fiji plays a key role in pushing for associated climate change issues that ranges from economic to social rights to rights related to governance.
Karan congratulated Alefsen’s new role and reiterated the importance of deliberations and collaborations on human rights issues in the region.
He also reassured the regional rep that Fiji will continue its advocacy and upholding human rights standards and practice while working closely with United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the member states in the submissions of the Universal Periodic Reviews.
Fiji is the first Pacific island country to join the UNHRC.
