Government of the Republic of Fiji
Government of the Republic of Fiji
10/28/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/27/2025 19:29
FIJI’S POLICE ACT REVIEW ENTERS KEY VALIDATION...
The validation workshop marks a crucial milestone in Fiji's journey to modernize its Police Act - a law that has guided policing since 1965.
This follows the opening of the Validation Workshop on Fiji's Police Act Review by the Minister for Policing, Hon. Ioane Naivalurua at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.
"The updating of Fiji's Police Act is important and we need to ensure that it is relevant, effective, and compliant with international norms," he said.
"There is a need for a people-centered and future-oriented act as the government's clear intent to safeguard the nation and its people."
"Consultations were held in various communities to gather their input due to the significance of the Act in maintaining law and order and the high expectations from the government and the public," he added.
Minister Naivalurua said that review of the 1965 Police Act is timely as there is a need to update it to meet 21st-century challenges - to be relevant, real, and serve the nation's interests.
In delivering her remarks, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Regional Representative for the Pacific, Ms. Heike Alefsen highlighted that over nearly six decades, Fiji's social, constitutional, and human rights landscape has evolved - and it is time the law governing policing evolves with it.
"The Police Act no longer reflects the realities of modern policing. It must reflect values such as gender equality, inclusion, and respect for human rights - not just crime control," she said.
"New challenges such as urbanisation, social media, migration, gender-based violence, and cybercrime demand a modern, rights-based legal framework. Outdated laws that do not address digital evidence, forensic technology, or privacy safeguards leave both people and officers vulnerable."
"This process bridges dialogue and reform - ensuring Fiji's new Police Act reflects dignity, equality, and justice," she added.
Ms Alefsen commended Fiji's efforts to embed a human rights based approach in the new Police Act, ensuring alignment with global standards such as the ICCPR, CEDAW, CAT, and CRC.
"Fiji can set a powerful example for the Pacific - showing that effective policing and human rights protection are not opposing goals, but mutually reinforcing ones. Together, we can build a future where trust, accountability, and human rights define policing in Fiji," she emphasised.
This follows the opening of the Validation Workshop on Fiji's Police Act Review by the Minister for Policing, Hon. Ioane Naivalurua at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.
"The updating of Fiji's Police Act is important and we need to ensure that it is relevant, effective, and compliant with international norms," he said.
"There is a need for a people-centered and future-oriented act as the government's clear intent to safeguard the nation and its people."
"Consultations were held in various communities to gather their input due to the significance of the Act in maintaining law and order and the high expectations from the government and the public," he added.
Minister Naivalurua said that review of the 1965 Police Act is timely as there is a need to update it to meet 21st-century challenges - to be relevant, real, and serve the nation's interests.
In delivering her remarks, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Regional Representative for the Pacific, Ms. Heike Alefsen highlighted that over nearly six decades, Fiji's social, constitutional, and human rights landscape has evolved - and it is time the law governing policing evolves with it.
"The Police Act no longer reflects the realities of modern policing. It must reflect values such as gender equality, inclusion, and respect for human rights - not just crime control," she said.
"New challenges such as urbanisation, social media, migration, gender-based violence, and cybercrime demand a modern, rights-based legal framework. Outdated laws that do not address digital evidence, forensic technology, or privacy safeguards leave both people and officers vulnerable."
"This process bridges dialogue and reform - ensuring Fiji's new Police Act reflects dignity, equality, and justice," she added.
Ms Alefsen commended Fiji's efforts to embed a human rights based approach in the new Police Act, ensuring alignment with global standards such as the ICCPR, CEDAW, CAT, and CRC.
"Fiji can set a powerful example for the Pacific - showing that effective policing and human rights protection are not opposing goals, but mutually reinforcing ones. Together, we can build a future where trust, accountability, and human rights define policing in Fiji," she emphasised.
Government of the Republic of Fiji published this content on October 28, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 28, 2025 at 01:29 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]