Media Releases
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fiji
Fiji's Transformative Journey fo Improved Corrections Services
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First Secretary at Fiji’s Permanent Mission in Geneva, Mr Vueti May
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Fiji Correction Service’s transformative journey inspired by the Nelson Mandela Rules for prison reforms was highlighted by the Permanent Mission of Fiji to the United Nations and Other International Organisations at the special commemoration of the Nelson Mandela Day recently observed at the United Nations in Geneva .
Speaking at the virtual event on Vienna Based Group of Friends of the Nelson Mandela Rules, First Secretary at Fiji’s Permanent Mission in Geneva, Mr Vueti May highlighted the reformation of Fiji’s Corrections Service from a punitive justice system to one of a corrective rehabilitation center.
This change follows Fiji’s close engagements with the office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights in Geneva and the Office of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) based in Vienna.
In December 2018, following the invitation of Fiji Corrections Service, the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer of the UNODC, Mr. Philipp Meissner visited Fiji for a scoping Mission on the application of the Nelson Mandela Rules at Fiji’s correction facilities.
It was stated that the scoping mission was a great success which, included training programs for the Fiji Correction officers and consultations with heads of Fiji’s criminal justice system.
Fiji as a result was chosen by the UNODC to pilot the development of UNODC e-learning course on the Nelson Mandela Rules.
First Secretary May, in his closing remarks acknowledged UNODC’s ongoing efforts towards prison reforms, including its work in delivering vital assistance to those in need during the COVID19 pandemic.
UNODC during the COVID19 pandemic period had also issued a COVID-19 preparedness position paper as a guide to member states Correctional Service department for the safety of inmates and their supervisors.
Other notable participants in the event include the Minister of Justice and Corrections Services of South Africa Hon. Ronald Lamola, and the Executive Director of the UNODC, Ms. Ghada Waly.
Nelson Mandela Day is commemorated worldwide on July 18. The Nelson Mandela Rules was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015. The Vienna-based Group of Friends of the Nelson Mandela Rules is a group of 30 like-minded Member States that supports the practical application of the Nelson Mandela Rules.
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| First Secretary at Fiji’s Permanent Mission in Geneva, Mr Vueti May |
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Several members of Public Accounts Committee of the Fijian Parliament visiting Wellington this week took advantage of a visit to the Wellington City Council’s Southern Landfill yesterday to glean a few ideas for waste management in Fiji. This included the Hon. Alexander O’Connor, Assistant Minister for Health, Ratu Suliano Matanitobua, Opposition parliamentarian and Ms. Priya Chand, Parliamentary Secretary who were accompanied by the Fiji High Commission New Zealand staff.
The Southern landfill is an impressive setup particularly as it focuses on recycling and minimising the damage to the environment at the landfill.
Other remarkable features of the landfill were its gas collection, electricity regeneration, green waste mulching and water table management. The Hon. O’Connor, an engineer by profession, was particularly impressed and intends to develop a few ideas for the Fijian Government to consider.
The PAC members were invited to attend the Pacific PAC training seminar in Wellington facilitated by UNDP from the 12th to the 13th December.
The PAC members, including Deputy Chair, Hon. Mohammed Dean, MP, were hosted to afternoon tea at the Fiji Chancery. It was an opportunity for the Parliamentarians to meet the Locally Engaged Staff at the Mission and also update the staff on the work and concerns of the Public A
