The rule of law and human rights of all people are the core tenet of our mod­ern democracy and having access to justice is an important part of protecting those rights.

Australian High Commission Regional Counsellor – Political and Economic Develop­ment Renee Deschamps made the comment at the Regional Rule of Law Conference, at the Sofitel Resort and Spa on Denarau Island in Nadi yesterday.

The two-day event was attended by repre­sentatives from the Ministry of Justice, Po­lice, Public Prosecutions office and the Legal Aid Commission from around the region and development partners.

Ms Deschamps commended the United Na­tion’s Development Programme (UNDP)’s ap­proach to developing a strategy which could assist development partners and stakehold­ers to play a lead role in identifying solutions to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

“We are working through the framework of the United Nations Convention against Cor­ruption to build this capacity. Through our term on the UN Human Rights Council, we will continue to work with you to amplify the voices of Pacific people in the forums we are part of,” she said.

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra