The Interim Defence Minister, Ratu Epeli Ganilau today raised concern on the high number of cases of violence against women in the country.
Ratu Epeli was the chief guest at the last day of 16 days of Activism Against Violence Against Women who said police statistics reveal that violence against woman is quite significant.
Over hundred civil servants took part in the march through the streets of Suva which was organised by the Department of Women.
The Departments which took part in the march include the Bureau of Statistics, the Department of Social Welfare, Ministry of Women among others.
There was another march today. The NGO Coalition on Human Rights and supporters conducted their march in the last hour through the streets of Suva in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights.
Meanwhile the Fiji Human Rights Commission Chairperson Dr Shaista Shameem said it will renew its efforts to protect and promote human rights in Fiji as provided by the 1997 Constitution.
Shameem said the Commission will also concentrate on seeking justice through the courts for all its outstanding human rights cases and requests the interim government to support this efforts and expeditiously deal with human rights caes forwarded to it as well as past governments which have not yet been resolved.
She said the Commission has been disturbed by Fiji's formal democracy being employed for undemocratic and irresponsible practices including gerrymandering by past governments.
Dr. Shameem said it’s the constitutional duty of the Human Rights Commission of Fiji to comment on political or national processes of the impinge on or are likely to interfere with any human rights including the rights to representation and to universal suffrage as well as the right to public safety and order.
She said it is the constitutional responsibility of the Commission to advise to caution and to warn governments if political processes they engage in do not comply with international and constitutional Bill of Rights.
Increase In Violence Against Women A Concern
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