Restrictions on solidarity marches for Palestine
7 Oct, 2024
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A planned march in Suva today by the NGO Coalition on Human Rights in Fiji was cancelled by the Fiji Police Force after draconian delaying tactics and routine questioning through phone calls that are reminiscent of a dictatorial system of the past.
The NGOCHR started the permit application process with the Fiji Roads Authority on 12th September 2024 only to be told we needed approval from the Police first.
We followed this as advised only to be told again by the Police that the first step we needed to take was to get approval from FRA.
This time-wasting and energy-consuming exercise continued until 23rd September 2024 when we again sought approval from FRA.
Approval was given by FRA on 30th September 2024 and the Police permit application was submitted the same day.
In an email at 8.18 am today, the Coalition was told by the Police that its application for a march through Suva was not approved. We are still waiting for the reason the application was denied.
It is shameful that the Fiji Coalition Government which has lauded itself internationally and regionally as being a promoter of human rights and peace has continued to curtail the rights of its citizens by denying permit applications calling for an end to the Genocide in Gaza.
We remind the Prime Minister that an Ocean of Peace must also mean Peace in Gaza, West Papua and Kanaky (New Caledonia).
All over the world today people are marching for peace and a ceasefire in Gaza but not in Fiji where it appears that the Government’s pro-Israel stance has influenced what is supposed to be an objective permit application review process.
It is the Government’s duty as well as the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission’s mandate to ensure that there is an enabling environment for its citizens to practice their right to peaceful assembly.
Since 18th October 2023, the NGO Coalition on Human Rights in Fiji has been holding vigils and rallies at the FWCC Compound standing in solidarity with the people of Gaza and calling on the Fiji Coalition Government to stand for peace and a permanent ceasefire.
Police have restricted solidarity marches for Palestine since November 2023, under the Public Order (Amendment) Act 2014.
The NGO Coalition on Human Rights in Fiji has always stood for peace and has consistently demonstrated since 1998 that it is a peaceful group.
The Fiji Coalition Government’s position is profoundly troubling and starkly contrasts the values of justice, freedom, and international law that the Fijian people hold dear.
By voting against a ceasefire and supporting the Israeli occupation, the Fijian Government not only isolates itself from the international community but also from the very principles of justice and human dignity it purports to uphold. Such a position undermines Fiji’s reputation and casts a shadow over its commitment to the values enshrined in international law. The decision to support the genocidal, violent occupation raises serious questions about the processes and considerations behind Fiji’s foreign policy choices.
The Fijian Government must demonstrate accountability and transparency in its decision-making. The public has a right to understand how such positions, which significantly impact Fiji’s standing on the global stage and its moral compass, are determined. We call upon the government to disclose the rationale and any consultations or analyses that led to this stance.
This call for clarity is not just about ensuring governmental transparency; it’s about reaffirming Fiji’s dedication to principles that respect human dignity and international law. Without this openness, the trust between the Fijian people and their government risks being eroded, especially on matters of global significance that reflect on the entire nation.
We stand in solidarity with those advocating for peaceful resolution of conflicts and upholding human rights worldwide. The NGOCHR will continue to monitor this situation closely and support Fiji in adopting domestic and foreign policy that reflects the values of its people and long held principles of international law.
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