United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment David R. Boyd [Source: Toronto Star]

A UN human rights expert has commended Fiji for its global leadership on climate change.

United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment David R. Boyd urges Fiji to both continue and increase its actions to protect human rights and the environment.

Boyd say one area which needs attention is the sanitation as inadequate sanitation facilities and poor waste management threaten human health and ecosystem by contaminating air, water and soil.

“People’s basic right to clean water and sanitation is really fundamental to their health, their well being and their dignity. Not having access to proper sanitation facilities jeopardizes their right to health, water and sanitation. Based on what I observed in the informal settlements I would say that will be my number one priority for the people of Fiji.”

Boyd says more money needs to be invested in the infrastructure in the cities and towns so that waste water can be treated before it is discharged to the environment.

He says in terms of the settlements toilets need to be upgraded and making service available to pump out the septic tank.