Fiji is currently reviewing several key pieces of legislation, with changes expected in the first quarter of the year.
These include the Electoral Act, the Political Parties Act, and the re-introduction of a Code of Conduct Bill, which aims to establish clear standards for high-level government officials, including politicians.
During Fiji’s recent 48th Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva, Attorney General Graham Leung highlighted that these electoral legislations were being closely examined to ensure they align with democratic practices.
“We recognise that there are aspects or provisions in both those laws which are antidemocratic in spirit and intent as well as in operations,” Leung said. “It is my sincere wish that when the reviews of the pieces of legislation are completed, hopefully in the coming months, the concerns that have been raised by some of the Distinguished Delegates will be addressed.”
The update follows recommendations from several countries including Denmark, Germany, and the United Kingdom, highlighting the need to strengthen democratic frameworks in Fiji. Denmark and Germany specifically recommended the repeal of the Public Order Act, the Electoral Amendment Act, and the sedition provisions of the Crimes Act, all of which restrict freedoms of expression, press, and assembly.
Germany also urged greater commitment to ensuring the rights of women and girls, including their full participation in politics. Timor Leste and Namibia echoed similar sentiments, calling for “enhanced efforts to address violence against women in politics to ensure their full and effective participation without fear of violence and/or intimidation.”
In addition to changes to key election-related legislations, Leung outlined the government’s ongoing efforts to increase transparency and accountability in governance.
“Significant amendments to the Information Act to increase transparency and access to information by citizens, a Code of Conduct Bill which will address codes of conduct for high-level officials in government, including politicians, and it is the expectation of the Attorney General’s chambers that I will be able to go to Parliament in the relatively near future to introduce a bill for an Accountability and Transparency Commission. These are measures that will widen democratic participation in government and hold government to greater standards and higher standards of accountability,” he said.
Since Parliament’s resumption in 2014 under the 2013 Constitution, two bills aimed at dictating the conduct of public officials have been proposed but not enacted. These are the Code of Conduct Bill 2016 (Bill 22 of 2016) and the Code of Conduct Bill 2018 (Bill 33 of 2018). The latter is said to be wide-ranging, extending its scope to include elected representatives, and providing whistleblower protection among other new provisions.
Fiji’s lone Parliament sitting in the first quarter of this year is slated for March 3-7 and March 10-14.
