Hon. Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing, Mr Inia Batikoto SERUIRATU,

His Excellency Jonathan Curr, New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji,

The Honourable Mr Kamal Kumar, Acting Chief Justice

Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Christopher Pryde

The Acting Commissioner, Fiji Police Force, Mr Rusiate Tudravu

The Deputy Commander, Republic of Fiji Military Forces - Brigadier-General Dr Aziz Mohammed

Permanent Secretary for Defence, National Security and Policing, Mr Manasa Lesuma

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Bula Vinaka and a very good morning to you all.

It is a great honour and pleasure to be here today to mark this important initiative: Launch of the nationwide public consultation on the Draft Police Bill 2020.

Allow me to begin by congratulating the Ministry of Defence, National Security and Policing and the Fiji Police Force for this important undertaking and commitment to inclusive and transparent political processes through conducting the public consultation as a crucial component of the democratic processes.

I would like to express my gratitude to New Zealand Government represented by His Excellency Jonathan Curr for its generous support to UNDP’s Fiji Police Force Support Project which is directly supporting this important consultation exercise.

The Fiji Police Force Support Project aims to strengthen transparency, accountability and effectiveness of the Police, in collaboration with key justice stakeholders and civil society organizations. I am very glad that the project is able to support the initiative of conducting the public consultation.

A Police Act is the legal basis by which a national Police force governs itself. It establishes the standard by which police officers conduct themselves and carry out their mandate to protect and serve the public. It forms the basis of the contract between the government and the people by ensuring professional law enforcement and respect for the rule of law.

This Bill is the result of much work and consideration to the way in which the Fiji Police Force interacts with the people of Fiji, and how law enforcement practices can be modernized and refined to better protect victims, witnesses and suspects and accused alike.

Updating the existing Police Act is a critical exercise. The current Act, passed in 1965, needs to be brought into the 21^st century, and take into account positive standards and best practices from international treaties to which Fiji is committed, and take advantage of the opportunities modern technology affords the Fiji Police Force to better carry out its duties and mandate.

The openness with which this process is being carried out is laudable, and I commend the Honorable Minister, Police Commissioner, and the legal team for approaching this exercise with such rigor.

The Fiji Police Force Support Project forms part of a wider Police Strengthening Programme being undertaken by New Zealand that aims to improve the performance and culture of the Fiji Police Force, as announced by Prime Minister Ardern of New Zealand during her visit to Fiji in February 2020.

For the Police Bill 2020, as it is being launched today, Fijian citizens will have two ways of making their opinions on the Bill counted through face-to-face meetings and online submissions.

As laid out in the schedule of the consultation, the Ministry is travelling to reach out to citizens residing in remote island communities or interior of Fiji. Online modality will also enable citizens to submit their opinions whenever and wherever convenient to them when they have internet connection. This will encourage citizens to engage in and take ownership of their country’s law-making process.

As the lead UN development agency, UNDP helps implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through our work with the countries and partners. The UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji through the New Zealand funded Fiji Police Force Support Project, focuses on Goal 16, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

Achieving the SDGs requires the partnership of governments, private sector, civil society and citizens alike to make sure we leave a better planet and societies for future generations.

Once again, I congratulate the Ministry of Defence and the Fiji Police Force for actively engaging with and encouraging all Fijian citizens to participate in the public consultation on the Police Bill 2020, face to face or online, and make their law and institutions work better for democratic, inclusive and just society.

To conclude, I wish to the Ministry of Defence and the Fiji Police Force the best with the consultation process. We stand by you as a proud partner.

Thank you.

---

Presented by Nanise Saune-Qaloewai, Deputy Team Leader for Effective Governance, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji.