Fiji

Fiji

Right	Section	Contents
Freedom of Association	History	The first assertion of association is in Fiji’s first constitution, going into effect October 10, 1970. The right is found in Chapter II, Article 13 (“Fiji Independence Order 1970 and Constitution of Fiji, 1970). 1970. Fiji Independence Order 1970 and Constitution of Fiji . September 30. https://constitutionnet.org/sites/default/files/1970_constitution.pdf.
Freedom of Expression	History	The 1970 constitution of Fiji Was the first to guarantee the freedom of expression.
Freedom of Religion	History	Since the country’s independence in 1970, freedom of religion has been protected in Fiji. The Fiji Independence Order of 1970 and the 1970 Constitution of Fiji guarantee the right under section 11 (“Fiji Independence Order 1970 and Constitution of Fiji” 1970). Under the 2013 Constitution of the Republic of Fiji, Articles 4, 17, 22, and 26 grant religious freedom, equality, and prohibit religious discrimination. “Fiji Independence Order 1970 and Constitution of Fiji” 1970. Constitutenet.org https://constitutionnet.org/sites/default/files/1970_constitution.pdf https://www.laws.gov.fj/Home/information/constitutionoftherepublicoffiji#:~:text=The%20Constitution%20of%20the%20Republic,the%20procedures%20in%20the%20Constitution.
Freedom of the Press	History	Although it did not explicitly protect press freedom, Fiji’s 1970 Constitution did protect “freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference, and freedom from interference with…correspondence” (PacLII, “Fiji Independence Order 1970 and Constitution of Fiji”). Today, Article 17 of Fiji’s 2013 Constitution explicitly protects press freedom: “Every person has the right to freedom of speech, expression, thought, opinion and publication, which includes… freedom of the press, including print, electronic and other media” (Constitute Project, “Fiji's Constitution of 2013” ).
Privacy Rights	History	The 1970 Fiji constitution, its first after independence from Britain, protected the right to privacy in the home in Article 3(c) (Constitution Net, “Fiji Independence Order 1970 and Constitution of Fiji”). Today, the 2013 constitution expands the right to privacy from the home to include the right to private and family life, privacy in correspondence, and data privacy in Article 24 (Constitute Project, “Fiji 2013” ). http://constitutionnet.org/sites/default/files/ 1970_ constitution.pdf https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Fiji_ 2013? lang=en
Voting Rights and Suffrage	History	According to Chapter 3, Parliament, Part B, Composition, Section 55, Voter Qualifications and Registration, of the Constitution of Fiji every citizen who is 18 years of age has the right to be registered as a voter, in the manner and form prescribed by a written law governing elections or registration of voters. (Constitute Project, “Fiji's Constitution of 2013” )