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Press Release - July 27, 2001
Human Rights Workshop
FHRC AWARDED UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS GRANT ON RECONSTRUCTING RACE RELATIONS IN FIJI.
The Fiji Human Rights Commission has won a grant from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to organise a series of activities in preparation for the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance which will be held in Durban, South Africa in late August this year.The Director of the Commission, Dr Shaista Shameem said that Human Rights Commissions all over the world had been asked to apply for the limited number of grants offered by the High Commissioner's Office and Fiji was one of the fortunate Commissions to have its application approved. "The Fiji Commission's application was approved on the basis of its planned initiatives to improve race relations in Fiji. The competition was stiff but we were very fortunate in that our projects were considered to be in line with the High Commissioner's overall objectives for the World Conference Against Racism," Dr Shameem said.
The initiatives proposed by the Fiji Human Rights Commission are, a three day Seminar on Reconstructing Race Relations - Fiji in the new Millennium to be held August 1-3 in Suva; a Children's Painting Competition with the theme of Race Relations in Fiji and a radio programme hosted by the Commission, on race relations which will go on air from next week.The three-day Seminar on reconstructing race relations will include representatives of government, non-governmental organisations, Disciplined Services, the Press, and political parties who will discuss race relations in Fiji with a view to drafting a set of resolutions for the World Conference. Speakers at the Seminar will include, Mr Brian Burdekin, Special Adviser to the High Commissioner for Human Rights who will deliver a message from the High Commissioner, Ms Mary Robinson, Professor Paul Spoonley, international race relations scholar and Ms Ella Henry New Zealand Human Rights Commissioner.
There will also be a number of local panellists discussing the issue. Dr Shameem said that the main aim of the Seminar was to formulate a set of practical resolutions to take to the World Conference Against Racism. However, the seminar will also be an opportunity to produce a set of guidelines and a forward - looking strategy with respect to the Commission's role in improving race relations in Fiji and eliminating unfair discrimination in all areas of life," said the FHRC Director, Dr Shaista Shameem.Race relations is a very important part of the Fiji Human Rights Commission's work. The Commission will be establishing a Race Relations Unit next year to facilitate an ongoing programme.In line with its race relation's programme, the Commission is launching an innovative/upbeat talk show to promote human rights and educate the public about the need for improved race relations. This 15-minute morning radio show will introduce two personalities - Livai & Ritu who will host the show and invite people to participate with their views. This programme will also serve to publicise the issues raised during the seminar on Reconstructing Race Relations. Aired through the local radio station - Fiji Broadcasting Commission's English language station, the Commission feels this initiative can be a very successful way of dealing with racism issues.As part of its third initiative a Children's Painting Competition on the theme 'Race Relations in Fiji' has also been launched.
The Commission considers this to be an ideal way of getting young people to think about how race relations can be improved in Fiji. All children in the Fiji Islands under the age of 18 year have been encouraged to participate in the competition. The Commission will announce the winners of the Competition on 18th August at a Cocktail function to mark the opening of the World Conference. This would be followed by a month long public exhibition at the Fiji Museum. The winning painting will be published on the cover of the Commission's 2001 Annual Report. The Fiji Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established by the 1997 Constitution and is also governed by the Human Rights Commission Act 1999. The Commission opened its doors to the public in October 1999.The Commission has three members, the Ombudsman who is the Chairperson and two other Commissioners. The Commission has a total of 11 staff members.