When the fundamental principles of human rights are not protected, the centre of our institution no longer exists.

It is what promotes development that is sustainable; peace that is secure; and lives of dignity.

These were sentiments emphasised by Ignite4Change co-ordinator Broderick Mervyn at the launch of the first ever Human Rights Training for Youth and Women Human Rights Defenders.

The two-day human rights training was held at the Tanoa Waterfront Hotel in Lautoka bringing together 25 individuals that work in areas of youth, women, and education, LGBTIQ and grassroots communities. The training was a collaboration between the United Nations Office of the High Commission for Human Rights in the Pacific and Ignite4Change.

Mr Mervyn acknowledged the United Nations Office of the High Commission for Human Rights in the Pacific for the initiative and commends its’ work in actively engaging with civil societies, youth and women on the international human rights mechanisms: the treaty bodies, special procedures and in particular the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) processes.

“Human rights play a role in everyone’s life, but not everyone realises it. It’s involved in every comment you make that includes someone different and that every near discriminatory “joke” you say affects people, even if it doesn’t affect you” said Mervyn

Alanieta Mataitoga, a member of Ignite4Change indicated that at a time of intensifying global anxiety, she believes the people of the world are crying out for profound and inspiring leadership equal to the challenges we face.

We must therefore renew, by the strongest action, our dedication to the reality of inalienable and universal human rights, to end discrimination, deprivation, and the seemingly inexhaustible litany of conflicts and crises that generate such terrible, and needless, suffering.

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