Human Rights and Anti- Discrimination Commission chair Pravesh Sharma is encouraging all eligible voters to come forward and exercise their right to vote on 14 December.
Sharma said the right to vote is a fundamental human right which is critical to a meaningful electoral process in any democracy and the right to political participation is enshrined in section 23 of the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji (Promulgation) Act 2013.
He said this provision also promotes the right to free and fair elections.
Sharma’s call comes as we commemorate the World Human Rights Day.
This year’s Human Rights Day theme is “Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All”.
Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10th December — this is the day, in 1948, that the United Nations General Assembly, adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
The UDHR is a groundbreaking document, which proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Sharma is also encouraging people who are experiencing any form of abuse, discrimination or violence based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability or political affiliation to report the matter and seek assistance of the appropriate authorities including the Commission.
