The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission strongly condemns all
forms of violence against children.
Commission chair, Pravesh Sharma said children are vulnerable because they are dependent on their parents or legal guardians or relatives, to care for and to protect them and all violence and abuse against children must be unequivocally condemned
and reported to the law enforcement authorities.
He said the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji provides safeguards against acts of
violence involving children.
“Section 41(1)(d) of the Constitution guarantees the rights of children to be protected from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices or any form of violence, inhumane treatment and punishment.”
“Section 11 (1) and (2) of the Constitution guarantees that every person has the
right to freedom from torture of any kind, whether physical, mental or emotional,
and from cruel, inhumane, degrading or disproportionately severe treatment or
punishment; and the right to security which includes the right to be free from any
form of violence from any source, at home, school, work or in any other place.”
Sharma said in 1993, Fiji ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which also ensures that every child has a right to live a life free from all forms of violence.
The Commission encourages the authorities and the community leaders to continue to take a strong stance against child abuse.
