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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="color:#1F497D"> </span>Dear
Friends and Colleagues,</b><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-NZ"> Please find attached and below the latest NGO Coalition on Human Rights (NGOCHR) Press statement released this morning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-NZ"> Kindly share amongst your networks.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-NZ"> <b> </b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span lang="EN-NZ">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:</span></b><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="color:black"> </span><span lang="EN-NZ"> </span><a name="m_-3467458553802005914_page1"></a><b><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:28.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">NGO Coalition on Human Rights</span></b><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Towards a Fiji that respects and protects human rights</span></i></b><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<u><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:13.0pt">Press Release: </span></u><u><span style="font-size:13.0pt">CCPR and CESCR for Fiji
</span></u><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:13.0pt">28/11/18</span><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:13.0pt"> </span><span style="font-size:13.0pt">The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) came into effect in Fiji as of
Friday 16<sup>th</sup> November. The NGO Coalition on Human Rights welcomes the decision of the State to sign these covenants to strengthen Fiji’s international accountability in relation to human rights, especially as Fiji takes its seat on the United Nations
Human Rights Council. </span><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"> By the 70<sup>th</sup> Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which is being commemorated this year, Fiji has ratified
all major United Nations Treaties with the exception of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (CMW).
</span><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"> “The NGOCHR has concurred numerous times on the importance of the signing of ICCPR and ICESCR to Fiji. As the Covenants come into effect, we call
for effective implementation of these international mechanisms that compliment the implementation of the rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights in our Constitution” said NGOCHR Chair Nalini Singh.
</span><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"> Ms. Singh emphasized that, “the signing of these covenants should hold State accountable and transparent in respect to civil and political rights;
and economic, cultural and social rights. The exercise of signing should not be treated lightly and merely used to champion Fiji’s publicity in the global stage. In retrospect, it should challenge State to fully implement all facets of human rights to its
fullest. Then only can Fiji demonstrate its true commitment towards upholding principles of UDHR internationally.”
</span><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"> The Coalition, again, congratulates the State on this positive move and reiterates the significance of the implementation of the covenants in Fiji.
</span><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<i><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif">For further enquiries please contact Communications Officer Maryann Lockington on 8677330 or e-mail <a href="mailto:info@fwrm.org.fj" target="_blank">info@fwrm.org.fj</a>
</span></i><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"> *<i>Members of the NGOCHR include FWCC, FWRM, CCF, FemLink Pacific, Ecumenical Centre for Research and Advocacy, Pacific Network on Globalization, Drodrolagi Movement, Social Empowerment and Education Program. Haus of Khameleon and
Diverse Voices and Action for Equality are observers.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-NZ"><img border="0" width="601" height="200" id="m_-3467458553802005914Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:1675716718e4ce8e91" alt="Sere (1)"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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