Human rights,race & sexuality in the Pacific – regarding others as ourselves

In this article, first delivered as a memorial lecture in Fiji, the author traces the life of Sir Moti Tikaram, a distinguished judge and public officeholder. Drawing on Sir Moti’s lifetime struggle against discrimination on the grounds of race, the author examines analogous issues raised by discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. He traces the growing concern over these issues in a number of international bodies. He then examines moves for law reform in the Pacific and South Asia. The obstacles and impediments are explained, as are the fitful moves forward. Terminating discrimination on the basis of indelible features of nature is still a significant challenge in many Commonwealth countries. Sir Moti Tikaram’s dream is as yet unfulfilled.