Study reveals justice needs and satisfaction in Fiji
18 October 2019
For Immediate Release
(Suva, Fiji) - Every year approximately 100,000 Fijians encounter a legal problem and need access to mechanisms that
lead to fair resolutions. This was revealed by the Justice Needs and Satisfaction in Fiji Report launched today by the
Fiji Access to Justice Project. The Fiji Access to Justice Project is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented
by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The Justice Needs and Satisfaction study was conducted in Fiji in 2018 by the Fiji Access to Justice Project with
technical expertise of the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL). Almost 5,000 individuals from all four
divisions of Fiji and 60 justice sector stakeholders were interviewed in the survey. The report was subject to a
validation session conducted on 14 October, which was attended by representatives from Fiji’s justice sector and other
government agencies, independent institutions, individual legal practitioners, and civil society.
The study provides a clear view of a range of issues, including an understanding of people’s justice needs; explaining
how people experience the justice system; people’s perceptions of justice and the fulfilment of their justice needs, or
lack thereof. The report focused on two distinct categories of legal problems, domestic violence and land disputes,
which occur frequently and require accessible and eective justice remedies as highlighted in the report.
Acknowledging existing formal and informal mechanisms available to meet people’s justice needs, the report presents gaps
in the availability and utilization of such mechanisms and barriers faced by people in accessing justice.
The study also includes a participatory gender analysis and identifies specific obstacles faced by particular groups of
people, recognizing that vulnerable groups such as young women and sexual and gender minorities were not likely to share
their legal problems. The report suggests that unreported and hidden problems require the special attention of service
providers, civil society organizations and policy makers.
Ambassador of the European Union for the Pacific His Excellency Sujiro Seam said, “This report is an important
achievement, as it conveys the voices of people, based on their experiences and need for legal remedies. At the same
time, the report is also a key deliverable and a major input in the context of the Access to Justice Project. It will
help improve the implementation of this project, to which the European Union has dedicated Euro 7.5 million (FJD 18
million). The EU continues to support the initiative to advance access to justice in Fiji in partnership with the Fijian
Government, civil society and UNDP, with clear focus on disadvantaged populations.”
The study results establish baselines with disaggregated data and gender analysis, identify priority access to justice
issues, and provide recommendations for government, civil society, international stakeholders and the Fiji citizens to
address in line with both citizen and institutional needs.
The Resident Representatives for the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji Levan Bouadze said, “The report suggests policy options
to address the issues raised by people. UNDP supports evidence-based policy making and works directly with justice and
security institutions towards more inclusive and efficient justice mechanisms and service provision to people. The
issues in accessing justice are important to be addressed through human right-based approach to promote peaceful and
inclusive societies, which is highlighted in the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 16 for peace, justice
and strong institutions.”
The report recommends more focus on the vulnerable people who need protection under the law, including people with
disabilities, people living in remote and isolated areas, and other vulnerable groups and minorities. It also recommends
rigorous implementation of the policies designed to counter gender-based violence engaging various state and non-state
institutions, and promotion of gender equality and nondiscrimination.
The report of the study: Justice Needs and Satisfaction in Fiji is available on the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji website www.pacific.undp.org/content/pacific/en/JusticeNeedsAndSatisfactionReport.html and the website of HiiL https://www.hiil.org/Fiji. Copies will also be available at the libraries of the University of the South Pacific, and Fiji National University
and other libraries in Fiji.