NGOCHR Urges Government to Advance Key Governance Bills

19 Mar, 2026

The NGO Coalition on Human Rights (NGOCHR) strongly urges the Government and Parliament to ensure that the Access to Information Bill 2025, Code of Conduct Bill 2025, and Accountability and Transparency Commission Bill 2025 are progressed, without further delay.

The Coalition welcomed that the bills remain on the Government’s legislative agenda but stressed that the country cannot afford further delays in advancing governance reforms that have been discussed for many years.

While recognising that legislative reforms often require refinement, the NGOCHR said the Government’s lack of clarity on its intentions was concerning. 

“Together, these bills form the legal and institutional framework needed to strengthen good governance in Fiji,” said NGOCHR Chair Shamima Ali.

“The Access to Information Bill empowers citizens with the right to know. The Code of Conduct Bill establishes clear ethical standards for public leadership. And the Accountability and Transparency Commission Bill creates the independent oversight needed to ensure those standards are upheld.”

The NGOCHR added that civil society organisations, members of the public, and other stakeholders have already contributed to public consultation on these reforms and looked forward to seeing the bills progress through Parliament.

We emphasize that good governance reforms must remain a national priority and urge clarity on timelines for advancing the bills.

“These reforms are essential for an evolving democracy like Fiji. With growing public debate around integrity, transparency, and accountability in public office, progressing these bills is critical to strengthening good governance,” the Coalition said.

The NGOCHR hopes the Government will move forward with these important reforms without further delay.

Ends

For media queries, please email fwcc.shamima@gmail.com

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The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre currently serves as the secretariat of the NGO Coalition on Human Rights (NGOCHR), with Coordinator Shamima Ali as Chair.

Members of the NGOCHR include the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC), Fiji Women’s Rights Movement, Citizens Constitutional Forum (CCF), femLINKPacific, Social Empowerment and Education Program (SEEP), Diverse Voices and Action for Equality Fiji (DIVA), and Pacific Network on Globalization (PANG), which is an observer.