The Fiji Parliament Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee is undertaking review of the proposal by the Government of Fiji to ratify the following treaties or conventions:

  1. United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT);
  2. Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air, 1999 (Montreal Convention).”

Background

On 10th February the Minister of Foreign Affairs moved a motion in Parliament – “That the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence reviews the following treaties –

1. United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT); and
2. Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air, 1999 (Montreal Convention).”

As per the Parliament’s Standing Orders, the Committee has been provided with 30 days to review the treaties and report back to Parliament. In undertaking this review the Committee is seeking the views of citizens and interested organisations.

Interested parties are invited to consider

United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT)

  1. Should Fiji ratify this treaty or not?
  2. Why should Fiji ratify / not ratify this treaty?
  3. What would be the implications of ratification on you or your organisation?
  4. Any other relevant points related to the treaty and the ratification process.

Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air, 1999 (Montreal Convention).”

  1. Should Fiji ratify this treaty or not?
  2. Why should Fiji ratify / not ratify this treaty?
  3. What would be the implications of ratification on you or your organisation?
  4. Any other relevant points related to the treaty and the ratification process.

Submit written evidence

Interested parties are invited to keep to a word limit of 1,000 words and to focus their submission on the key questions listed above.

Due to the tight timeframe of 30 days for the Committee to consider and report back to Parliament, the deadline for submissions is Friday 27th February 2015 although, given the short timescales, it would be helpful to submit written evidence before that date if possible.
Please send your written submissions by email to –  ktakape@parliament.gov.fj or by post to PO Box 2352, Government buildings, Suva.

Written Submission Guidance

It will assist the committee if those submitting evidence adhere to the following guidelines. Each submission should:

  • State clearly who the submission is from, i.e. whether from yourself in a personal capacity or sent on behalf of an organisation, for example the submission could be headed ‘Written evidence submitted by xxxxxx’
  • Be concise – we recommend no more than 1,000 words in length
  • Begin with an executive summary in bullet point form of the main points made in the submission
  • Include a brief introduction about yourself/your organisation and your reason for submitting evidence
  • Have numbered paragraphs
  • Include any factual information you have to offer from which the committee might be able to draw conclusions, or which could be put to other witnesses for their reactions
Accessibility