With the launch of the Human Rights Research Institute, there are hopes of creating a better understanding of the rights of all Fijians.

The Institute comes in the wake of Fiji being appointed to the UN Human Rights Council and will be backed by the University of Fiji, the United Nations and the Pacific Islands Development Forum.

Regional Representative from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Dr. Chitralekha Massey hopes this venture will fill a gap in the Pacific.

“A place where you have a think tank for government, for security services, for regional organizations and everybody working in fields related to human rights. And at the same time we found that it is actually a big gap because there doesn’t exist one; a safe space where people come together, will talk, challenge each other. And in that way ensure that we are keeping up with the emerging challenges.”

Dr. Massey says the Institute is in its early stages but will provide education, dialogue, and space for debate.