Fiji reviews Rights of Indigenous Peoples Bill

In Fiji, the proposed Rights of Indigenous Peoples Bill is currently before Parliament’s Standing Committee for submissions. The legislation aims to recognize and promote the cultural, social, economic, and political rights of indigenous people, strengthening the nation's position under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

President Adi Finau Tabakaucoro of the Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei emphasized that the Bill must deliver practical outcomes rather than just formalizing commitments. She argued that the legislation should facilitate access to international resources and address the right to self-determination, noting that "existing laws have limited indigenous peoples’ ability to exercise it."