Submitted by crinadmin on
[4 August 2008] - A girl who did not want to visit her father in jail has been granted the right not to visit him. The Fiji Human Rights Commission has advised the parties involved the child's best interests were paramount. The incident is mentioned in a commission quarterly report. The father had complained to the Women and Child Rights desk officer, saying his eight-year-old daughter did not wish to visit. "The commission interviewed the child who said she did not want to visit her father," the report states. "The commission then advised the Director of Social Welfare who was directed by the magistrate's court to write a report on the progress of visitation between the child and her father. "The commission informed the director about article 3 (1) of the Convention of the Rights of the Child." It states: "In all actions concerning, whether undertaken by public or private social or welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be the primary consideration. We advised that the child be given a few visits. "However, if the situation does not improve, the director would need to submit a report to the court. "He will have to recommend that the best interests of the child would be not to visit her father." Further information