A human rights-related unit has been included in the University of Fiji’s Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme.

The launch of LAW305 Public International and Human Rights Law coincided with World Human Rights Day yesterday.

Acting Vice Chancellor and Justice Devendra Pathik School of Law Dean, Professor Shaista Shameem, said the unit would allow students to examine how public international law relating to human rights applies in Fiji.

It includes Fiji’s international obligations to the United Nations.

“It will include lectures from international human rights experts,” she said at UniFiji Samabula Campus.

“The purpose of the LLB programme is to provide law-related professionals with lawyers and advocates who have a solid foundation in substantive and procedural aspects pf the law.”

Director of the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-discrimination Commission, Ashwin Raj said: “We have an important mandate to ensure and monitor compliance by the state in terms of its human rights obligations including international human rights obligations.

“You are to radically oscillate between safe spaces and the community out there so as to actively encourage them to access the institutions of justice.

“Otherwise you wouldn’t know whether the Constitution has any effect of transforming lives and creating substantive equality.”

The course co-ordinator is Professor Shaista Shameen with the help of Associate Professor Nikolaos Stamatakis.

Classes for LAW305 began at the campus after its launch. It is part of the six-week Summer classes for the university.

Feedback: adi.sovasiga@fijisun.com.fj

Members of non Governmental Organizations (NGO) marched through the City to Ratu Sukuna Park to mark Human Rights Day on December 10. 2020. Photo: Ronald Kumar.

From left- Ruth Orasad 6, Esther Rauge 10 and Stanley Mcindoe 10 with their plycard during Human Rights Day match in Suva on December 10. 2020. Photo: Ronald Kumar.