The fundamentals of human rights at the ground level needs to be at the forefront of discussions when signing of conventions.

This was highlighted by the Fiji Labour Party general secretary Aman Ravindra Singh today before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence.

Singh says the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights need to be signed in order to empower Fijians for the future.

“There is no question as to should we or should we not ratify the conventions- the only question is what reservations will come with the convention.”

Singh says there is no room for negotiation when it comes to Human Rights, hence, the signing of the convention cannot be negotiated.

However, he adds with the signing of the treaties comes the question of limitations within the laws.

Singh says through the treaties, people at the ground level need to receive the benefits and not be limited.

The General Secretary reiterates an individual’s rights always needs to be more powerful than the limitations.

He adds the signing of these two treaties need not to be rushed as there is a lot more work to be done.