Human rights training

An integral component of the organisation’s intent to restore public confidence in policing, the Fiji Police Force today became the first organization to undergo human rights training under the new Fiji social cohesion UN joint programme.

The UN joint programme financed by the UN Peacebuilding Fund, entitled “Strengthening Social Cohesion Pathways, Human Rights and Women’s Civic Participation”, has been designed by the UN in coordination with national partners to strengthen human rights frameworks and institutions; and support inclusive dialogues.

The whole of Government approach launched in April this year, has been designed by the UN in coordination with national partners to strengthen human rights frameworks and institutions, and support inclusive dialogues.

This morning the Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew while officially opening the three-day training, stressed on the important link between upholding the principles of human rights to proactive community policing efforts.

“When we get things right, we will rebuild trust, accountability and confidence in policing. We get things right and we will foster trust-building, collaboration, and cooperation, towards policing efforts”.

“As professionals, we need to be able to put aside our own feelings on any subject matter, and apply the law, as it is meant to be applied”. Similar sentiments echoed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Ms.

Heike Alefse who said “The people of Fiji must see the law enforcement officer as the first line of defence in the struggle for the promotion and protection of human rights".

Ms Alefse added, “Police officers and law enforcement agencies that respect human rights reap benefits that advance the very objectives of law enforcement, building a law enforcement structure that does not rely on fear and raw power, but rather on professionalism, legality and non-discrimination”.

She reiterated that the trainings are necessary to change mindsets and well-equip police officers to deal with modern day challenges and serve the people of Fiji better.

The project is being implemented by UNDP Pacific Office (lead agency), UN Women, and my office - the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in partnership with the Prime Minister's Office, Fiji Human Rights Anti Discrimination Commission, Online Safety Commission and the Fiji Police Force as national counterparts.