Latest news with #HeikeAlefsen
Scoop
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Fiji Police Reaffirm Commitment To Human Rights In The Reform Of The Use Of Force Policy
The Fiji Police Force, in collaboration with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), supported by UN Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Women under the UN Joint Peacebuilding Fund, successfully concluded a high-level consultation this week on the revision of the Use of Force Policy of the Fiji Police Force. The consultation brought together 30 senior police officers, with the consultation marking a crucial step in the comprehensive review of the Use of Force Policy, aligning it with Fiji's human rights obligations under international treaties, and the Government's Restore Blue initiative. The review of the Use of Force Policy led by the Policy and Research Team of the Fiji Police headquarters included the adoption of a new operational guidance and training tool – the Tactical Options Framework – which was introduced by the New Zealand Police, enhancing decision-making to ensure that use of force is reasonable, necessary and proportionate. The policy also incorporates the Perceived Cumulative Assessment using the Threat, Exposure, Necessity, Response model, and includes clear definitions, accountability mechanisms, and safeguards for vulnerable populations. Assistant Commissioner of Police Planning, Research and Doctrine, Aporosa Lutunauga said: 'As we ponder upon our vision A Safe and Secure Fiji along with our guiding mission to protect all individuals and prevent crime through strong partnerships and professional policing, we are reminded that it serves as the cornerstone for every strategy and action we undertake during this important phase. We affirm our dedication to fostering a Fiji where our values of professionalism, integrity, respect, inclusiveness, courage, and compassion should be reflected in our everyday practices and decisions.' The review is also aligned with Fiji's international obligations under the UN Convention Against Torture, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which have been ratified by Fiji. UN OHCHR Regional Representative for the Pacific, Heike Alefsen, said: 'Police officers are on the frontline of protecting human rights and law and order, and through this, enabling social cohesion. Institutionalising human rights principles is a key element in any policing reform. The consultation represents more than a technical dialogue on policy – it is a clear affirmation of Fiji's commitment to the values of accountability, transparency, and the fundamental right of all persons to life, liberty, and security.' UNDP Pacific Office Effective Governance Team Leader, Rustam Pulatov said: 'Through supporting the Fiji Police Force in building a culture of accountability and trust, with this initiative reflecting our shared commitment to a safer, more inclusive society where the rule of law protects all citizens equally.' The consultation of the Fiji Police Use of Force Policy is an initiative by the Police Commissioner to implement recommendations from the most recent Universal Periodic Review of Fiji. The consultation also served to foster greater ownership and accountability by police officers when serving the public. The finalised policy is expected to be released later this year and will serve as a cornerstone for training, oversight, and operational guidance across all divisions of the Fiji Police Force. This workshop is part of the broader United Nations Peacebuilding Fund-supported Strengthening Social Cohesion Pathways, Human Rights and Women's Civic Participation programme, led by UNDP in collaboration with the Fiji Government and supported by UN OHCHR and UN Women, which supports national reconciliation efforts and strengthens social cohesion, as well as national human rights frameworks and institutions.
Scoop
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Pacific Lagging On Women's Political Participation, Says UN Official
But at least discussions are beginning to take place at high levels, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Pacific regional office head., RNZ Journalist There is a long road ahead on women's issues in the Pacific Islands, but at least discussions are beginning to take place at high levels. That is the opinion of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Pacific head Heike Alefsen. The office recently celebrated 20 years since its establishment in Fiji's capital Suva in 2005, playing the role of advisor to island nations on human rights issues. Alefsen told RNZ Pacific that the region seems to stick out in terms of lack of political participation by women. 'We have countries that have zero [women] parliamentarians and [no women] in cabinet,' she said. 'Two countries that have some reserved seats in parliament and a few women in cabinet, but overall the percentage is really very low compared to most other regions of the world.' In Fiji, Alefsen noted that their number of female MPs has halved, from 10 to 5, since 2020. 'As we have seen in recent elections, the numbers can drop very quickly.' Her office is advising nation states that they should be working towards 50/50 gender parity in their governing bodies, in accordance with recommendations from the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). For Fiji, as discussions about temporary special measures to boost female representation in parliament take place, Alefsen said they should be taken seriously. 'They are there to rectify entrenched longstanding discrimination and under-representation of women. 'They are not there as handouts, or to get women in that are tokenistic.' Measures could include reserving seats, either at the parliament level or within individual political parties, Alefsen said. 'It is a discussion that will need to overcome a lot of entrenched stereotypes, as to the roles of women and men in political spheres, and also what the obstacles are.' 'This would come at a time when violence against women and girls, throughout the whole Pacific region, remains a significant problem. 'About two-thirds on average of all women in the Pacific, including Fiji, experience violence,' she added.
RNZ News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Pacific lagging on women's political participation, says UN official
The report highlighted that identity often intensified when Pacific women navigate environments where they are the only Pacific person in the midst of others - more common within workplaces. Photo: PACIFICA Inc There is a long road ahead on women's issues in the Pacific Islands, but at least discussions are beginning to take place at high levels. That is the opinion of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Pacific head Heike Alefsen. The office recently celebrated 20 years since its establishment in Fiji's capital Suva in 2005, playing the role of advisor to island nations on human rights issues. Alefsen told RNZ Pacific that the region seems to stick out in terms of lack of political participation by women. "We have countries that have zero [women] parliamentarians and [no women] in cabinet," she said. "Two countries that have some reserved seats in parliament and a few women in cabinet, but overall the percentage is really very low compared to most other regions of the world." In Fiji, Alefsen noted that their number of female MPs has halved, from 10 to 5, since 2020. "As we have seen in recent elections, the numbers can drop very quickly." Her office is advising nation states that they should be working towards 50/50 gender parity in their governing bodies, in accordance with recommendations from the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). For Fiji, as discussions about temporary special measures to boost female representation in parliament take place, Alefsen said they should be taken seriously. "They are there to rectify entrenched longstanding discrimination and under-representation of women. "They are not there as handouts, or to get women in that are tokenistic." Measures could include reserving seats, either at the parliament level or within individual political parties, Alefsen said. "It is a discussion that will need to overcome a lot of entrenched stereotypes, as to the roles of women and men in political spheres, and also what the obstacles are." "This would come at a time when violence against women and girls, throughout the whole Pacific region, remains a significant problem. "About two-thirds on average of all women in the Pacific, including Fiji, experience violence," she added.
