A/HRC/43/8 72. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions was in the process of setting up a support officer for victims of violence against women and girls. The authorities were cooperating with civil society organizations regarding counselling and victim impact statements before the courts. 73. Regarding laws safeguarding freedom of expression, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions reviewed cases when persons had been charged, ensuring sufficient evidence was produced, in the absence of which the charges were withdrawn. No prosecutions took place against persons who had criticized the Government, however, hate speech was an important limitation on the freedom of expression. 74. The Fiji Police Force had incorporated human rights and international human rights treaties in all training manuals. Training and awareness-raising was done in cooperation with non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, United Nations agencies, the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission and regional partners. 75. Women and girls were encouraged to report domestic violence through the different avenues available, including email and mobile service providers. 76. The Constitution put justifiable limitations on the freedom of expression and assembly, in line with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, balancing rights with the maintenance of public order and national security. 77. The Constitution had strong provisions for its implementation and empowered the judiciary to use international law. People were also able to go directly to the courts. The Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission had constitutional status and could investigate violations and bring cases before the courts. 78. Fiji was extremely concerned about the degradation of the environment. Environmental impact statements were mandatory before development was permitted. Indigenous people who owned land had to be consulted and a high degree of consent sought. 79. Fiji had passed the Online Safety Act to protect people from incidents in which they had been targeted on the grounds of gender, race or religion. 80. Fiji had a policy of zero tolerance with regard to corporal punishment in schools and courts had upheld this. 81. Fiji had completed a sexual and reproductive health and rights assessment, focusing on services, staff and training. The school curriculum was being revised to provide comprehensive sex education in line with international standards and guidelines. 82. Fiji ensured that the views of persons with disabilities were represented in disaster management. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2018 ensured the right to inclusive education for all persons with disabilities, including a specific “no-rejection” clause for schools and the provision of reasonable accommodation. 83. Fiji had established the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Elimination of Violence against Women and Children and work was in progress to develop standards for shelters. Helplines for victims of domestic violence, including children, had been established. Counselling for the survivors of gender-based violence was being provided in cooperation with civil society organizations. 84. The Legal Aid Commission carried out regular community awareness-raising and training on gender-based violence and the Domestic Violence Act, aimed at empowering women. Assistance was provided to victims in a rapid manner. 85. A significant reduction in cases of allegations of torture had been observed. Legal aid had been successful in having confessions thrown out in situations in which it had been proven that there had been ill-treatment. 86. Azerbaijan commended the pledge by Fiji to develop its national mechanism for implementation, reporting and follow-up, and congratulated it for its leadership on climate change. 7