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Fiji

https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/

August 2025

Supreme Court ruling lowers constitutional amendment standards

The Supreme Court delivered an advisory opinion on 29 August that answered five questions from the cabinet regarding the constitution. The Court found that the 2013 Constitution, despite being imposed by a military government, is in force and has replaced the 1997 Constitution. However, it did not recognize the validity of the amendment provisions it established in Articles 159 and 160. The Court ruled that the thresholds of three-fourths support in the legislature followed by support from three-fourths of all eligible voters in a referendum, are too high. The Court instead provided for an amendment process that requires a two-thirds parliamentary majority and then a majority of voters in a referendum. The opinion has been interpreted as affirming the legitimacy of the 2013 Constitution while making it more open to change through democratic processes. However, the Court's overruling of the clear text of the constitution has led some observers to accuse both the Court and the government of overreach.

Sources: Radio New Zealand, DevPolicy, FijiVillage, ConstitutionNet, Supreme Court of Fiji

July 2025

UN data shows record number of new HIV infections

Data from UNAIDS showed Fiji had 1,583 recorded new cases of HIV in 2024, which is the highest number of cases in a year in the country’s history and represented a 281 per cent increase over 2023. Fijian public health officials said the rise in infections was driven primarily by increased intravenous use of illicit drugs and exacerbated by decreased support from international donors for public health measures. The lack of available funding is also hampering collection of data for 2025.

Sources: FBC News, UNAIDS

September 2024

Corruption commission appointment sparks political scandal

Barbara Malimali was named the head of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) by the Constitutional Offices Commission on 4 September, despite being the subject of an ongoing FICAC investigation into abuse of office in her previous post as chairperson of the Electoral Commission. The ensuing controversy has reignited longstanding debates over the independence and credibility of FICAC. The FICAC Deputy Commissioner ordered Malimali be taken in for questioning on 5 September and then, after a public backlash from other high-ranking officials, resigned herself, citing pressure to not open investigations into Malimali and other high-ranking officials. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has said there is no reason for Malimali to resign unless she is formally charged by FICAC, while opposition politicians, such as former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, have insisted she must step aside to ensure a transparent and accountable inquiry. 

Sources: Fiji Sun (1), Radio New Zealand (1), Radio New Zealand (2), Fiji Sun (2)Fiji Sun (3)

May 2024

Former President Bainimarama sentenced to one year in prison

Former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama was sentenced to one year in prison on 9 May for ‘perversion of justice.’ Fiji’s High Court overturned his final appeal and agreed with a lower court ruling that found Bainimarama told his police commissioner to ignore the allegations from university administrators that graft and mismanagement were commonplace at the University of South Pacific. The former police commissioner, Sitiveni Qiliho, was also sentenced to two years in prison. The sentence marks what could be the last stage of the current Fijian administration’s efforts to sideline Bainimarama, who originally took power in a military coup in 2006, and prevent him from maintaining extra-parliamentary influence since he left office after losing the 2022 general election.

Sources: Reuters, Australian Broadcasting Company

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Global ranking per category of democratic performance in 2024

Chevron
Representation
85/173
Rights
67/173
Rule of Law
51/173
Participation
26/173

Basic Information

Chevron
Population Tooltip
924 145
System of government
Parliamentary system
Head of government
Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka (since 2022)
Head of government party
The People's Alliance
Electoral system for lower or single chamber
List Proportional Representation
Women in lower or single chamber
9.1%
Women in upper chamber
Not applicable
Last legislative election
2022
Effective number of political parties Tooltip
3.11
Head of state
President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu
Selection process for head of state
Indirect election (assembly)
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) date
22/01/2025
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) percentage of recommendations supported
Outcome decision pending
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Human Rights Treaties

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State Party State party
Signatory Signatory
No Action No action
United Nations Human Right Treaties
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
State Party
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
State Party
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
State Party
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
State Party
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
State Party
Convention on the Rights of the Child
State Party
International Convention on Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
State Party
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance 
State Party
International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
State Party
International Labour Organisation Treaties
Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention
State Party
Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention
State Party
Equal Remuneration Convention
State Party
Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention
State Party
Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment
State Party
Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
State Party
in
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Performance by category over the last 6 months

Representation neutral Representation
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Representation neutral Rights
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Representation neutral Rule of law
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Representation neutral Participation
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Global State of Democracy Indices

Hover over the trend lines to see the exact data points across the years

Explore the indices
Representation
Representation
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rights
Rights
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rule of Law
Rule of Law
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Participation
Participation
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4

Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time

Use the slider below to see how democratic performance has changed over time

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