PARLIAMENTS lay the foundation for the rule of law and its institutions, says Dr Chitralekha Massey, the regional representative of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) during the opening of the Human Rights Training for Members of Parliament of Fiji at The Pearl Resort in Pacific Harbour yesterday.
She said across the globe there were many cases of committees actively engaged in and following up on the output of international human rights mechanisms including the Universal Periodic Review.
“Over the next two days I hope you will have time to look at those examples and the benefit they have brought to millions of people. They have helped to build more respectful societies; more inclusive and sustainable development; and greater safety,” she said.
UNDP resident representative Levan Bouadze said they were pleased to jointly convene this session with the OHCHR and the Fiji Parliament.
“Our support, which continues until the end of 2020 in its current phase, has focused on key areas such as professional development of MPs and staff, the improvement of committees’ legislative and oversight work, and support to parliamentary outreach and citizen engagement roles.”
