FIJI CONCLUDES TERM IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

Fiji’s term in the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) including its year-long Presidency is nearing completion, after the conclusion of the 48th Council session hosted in Geneva from 13 September 2021 to 11 October 2021. Fiji will complete its three year membership at the end of this year, since its election in 2019.

Fiji is the first Pacific Small Island Developing State to become a member of the Council in 2019 and the first to be elected to the position of Vice President in 2020 and subsequently President of the UN Human Rights Council in 2021.

Fiji’s leadership of the Council during its tenure, has been determined and unwavering and it allowed all sessions to proceed with precautions as to the health and safety of all. For the first time, a hybrid modality of the Council sessions consisting of both physical and virtual Sessions was also adopted, in consideration of the effects of the global COVID-19 crisis on Council members.

Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, Ambassador Nazhat Shameem Khan presided over three (3) regular sessions and three (3) special sessions of the Council, as well as the two (2) universal periodic review (UPR) sessions, with the third UPR scheduled for November 2021. Despite the pandemic, the special sessions were called to look into the human rights situation in Myanmar, Palestine and Afghanistan.

The 48th session of the HRC which concluded on 11 October 2021, produced a milestone achievement with the historic adoption of the resolution on the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment and the resolution on the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change.

Fiji has been at the forefront in raising awareness on the imperative need for the universal recognition of this right. The championing of the recognition of this right was part of Fiji’s membership pledges for the Human Rights Council.

The establishment of the Special Rapporteur position is a significant milestone for those most vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change, including Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

At the conclusion of the 48th Session, Charge d’Affaires of Fiji’s Permanent Mission to Geneva, Anare Leweniqila said “Climate Change is a priority for Fiji in the Human Rights Council, today we have moved from statements to actions. The decision of the Human Rights Council, in accepting the call of those at the forefront of climate change especially for SIDS and vulnerable communities to take real actions, is a testament of the critical role of the Council and the true spirit of multilateralism”.