Governance, Corruption, and Civil Society in Fiji

Governance Institutions in Fiji

Audit Office

Fiji is a member of the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI), which provides a platform for exchanging best practices and supporting each other.

Ombudsman Office

• Established by the Ombudsman Act 1998 to investigate abuse and misadministration in government departments.
• However, since the abrogation of the Constitution in 2009, the office’s resources have been drastically reduced, making it ineffective.

Elections Office

• Fiji has not held any elections since 2006, but scheduled elections are planned for 2014 after the drafting and adoption of a new constitution.
• The Elections Office is now functional and receives funds from donors to undertake its tasks.

Corruption and Anti-Corruption in Fiji

• The office responsible for anti-corruption efforts is placed under the Attorney General, which may present challenges to the institution’s independence.

Media Freedom in Fiji

• The Constitution provides for freedom of speech and press, but these rights are not respected by the military government.
• The press is systematically censored, and media outlets are restricted from being foreign-owned.

Civil Society in Fiji

• The abrogated Constitution provided for the right to freedom of assembly and association, but these have not been respected by the government since the 2006 coup.
• However, there have been signs of civil society strengthening in recent years.

Conclusion

The report highlights concerns about Fiji’s governance, corruption, and restrictions on civil society and media freedoms. The country still faces significant challenges in ensuring a free and fair electoral process, combating corruption, and protecting the rights of citizens to express themselves freely.