Attorney-General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, highlighted Fiji’s progress in combating institutional and systemic racism to the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Mutuma Ruteere, at a meeting in Suva.

Sayed-Khaiyum says the 2013 Constitution has formed the basis for the Government’s work to establish a level playing field for every Fijian.

He says by establishing our shared identity as ‘Fijians’, the Constitution sent a clear message that every Fijian is equal under the law and equally entitled to the benefits of the nation’s progress.

Sayed-Khaiyum says the 2014 elections as the first held under an electoral system was not predicated on the basis of ethnicity, for the first time, giving equal weight to all votes cast.

Ruteree says he looks forward to working with the Government to formulate a report detailing recommendations and policy strategies for confronting racism in Fijian society.

The report is scheduled for release next year.