Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) co-ordinator Shamima Ali has questioned whether the decision by Fiji Police to deny a pro-Palestine march was because of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s pro-Israel stance.
She said the move was totally unacceptable and disgraceful as the application was made by a group of students who wanted to march peacefully to call for an end to the genocide being conducted in Gaza.
“These students were not marching for Hamas so the minister should stop misleading the people,” Ms Ali said.
“This is a violation of people’s right to freedom of expression, assembly, and participation in global movements.
“Globally folks are marching – including Israelis and Jews – for a ceasefire, humanitarian response, and peace talks.
“The question also is, shouldn’t the police be investigating violence inciting posts and hate speech rather than stopping people from calling publicly for a ceasefire?
“Or is this partiality for Rabuka’s pro-Israel stance and are we entirely sure the police have made this decision with impartiality?”
Ms Ali also questioned whether Fiji Police were “so impotent that they could not provide security for a group of Fijian students” who intended to march for peace and “an end to the atrocities”.
“The Government must put an end to the fundamentalist rhetoric and fear-mongering. Let us remind ourselves that Fiji is a secular state and has had a long history of religious freedom despite attempts to derail this sometimes.”
Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew said that police would not be making any further comments as Mr Tikoduadua had already made his address.
