UN urges Fiji to amend Media Industry Development Decree 2010

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Picture: File/ELIKI NUKUTABU

THE United Nations has asked Fiji to respect the rights of journalists and remove or change legislation which stifled press freedom.

In its final Universal Periodic Review report published on December 23, 2019, the UN Human Rights Council also said Fiji should avoid “abusive interpretations’ of any journalistic publications”.

The UN also asked Fiji to respect the rights of journalists and repeal or amend the Media Industry Development Decree 2010, the Public Order (Amendment) Act and the sedition provisions of the Crimes Act.

“Guarantee freedom of expression and opinion and freedom of the press, by ensuring respect for the rights of journalists and human rights defenders and reviewing the Media Industry Development Decree 2010,” the UPR report said.

On the recommendation of France, Fiji was asked to repeal and amend laws “which punishes any journalistic publication against the general interest or public order, in order to avoid abusive interpretations”.

The UPR report said by repealing the Media Industry Development Decree 2010 and implementing legislation which allowed freedom of expression and assembly and association, Fiji would bring itself in line with international human rights standards.

The review of Fiji was held on November 6, 2019, in Geneva and the Fijian delegation included Fiji’s permanent representative to the UN Nazhat Shameem Khan and the acting Chief Justice Kamal Kumar.

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