Know your rights, Tui Macuata urges Northerners

Tui Macuata, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, has urged the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission (FHRADC) to raise awareness on human rights while opening the commission’s new office in Labasa.

Ratu Wiliame said many in the Northern Division needed to understand human rights and anti-discrimination.

“Human rights is a subject in the media, communities, social media now and everybody talks about it, but many people on the ground do not understand their rights, freedom and responsibilities,” Ratu Wiliame said.

FHRADC commissioner Chantelle Khan described the opening as a defining moment in the commission’s history.

“The office represents a significant step towards decentralising human rights services, bringing the commission closer to communities and ensuring that geography is not a barrier to accessing human rights protection and redress,” Ms Khan said.

“The decentralisation of human rights services means that people should not be disadvantaged because of where they live.

Human rights institutions must be visible, accessible and responsive to the communities they are established to serve.”

With two full-time employees stationed in the office, individuals can now seek advice, lodge complaints, access human rights information and participate in education and awareness programmes.

The new office costs more than $50,000.