Human rights chief seeks help to heal Fiji wounds

By JO-MARIE BROWN

The Fijian Human Rights Commission is appealing for other countries to help ease the racial tensions that have torn the Pacific nation apart.

Human Rights Commissioner Graham Leung said he would seek advice this week from other nations on how to bridge the gap between indigenous Fijians and the Indian community.

Mr Leung will attend the fifth annual Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions in Rotorua.

He said Fiji's commission was just seven months old when the May 19 coup occurred and racial tensions flared.

The commission's few staff did not have the experience or expertise to tackle the problems that Fiji now faced.

"There are human rights violations occurring in Fiji but we don't have an investigator," said Mr Leung.

"We're pretty thin on staff so we need someone to teach us how to recognise [violations], what questions should be asked and what evidence to look for.

"There has to be a belief that Fiji can put itself back together again," Mr Leung said. "But the task is long and arduous and it will require the help of our friends."

He said that although the eight-member Asia Pacific forum had no financial resources to commit to Fiji, the experience and knowledge of other countries would be invaluable in re-asserting human rights.