ANYONE who has issues with Grace Road Church needs to take it up with the relevant authorities and not Parliament, says Speaker of the House Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.
He made the statement when he ruled a petition submitted by suspended Opposition Whip Lynda Tabuya for Parliament to investigate Grace Road Church could not be tabled in the House.
Ratu Epeli said in the petition, Ms Tabuya had said Grace Road Church was founded on hate and founder Pastor Shin Ok-ju had promoted racism in her sermons when she publicly called the Fijian population “mentally weak” and her followers were superior beings to Fijians.
He said the suspended Opposition Whip had called for a parliamentary inquiry into the presence, activity and business practice of Grace Road Church and its more than 400 members in Fiji.
Ratu Epeli said Ms Tabuya had said if the claims were validated, Grace Road Church and Korean employees of Grace Road Group be repatriated to Korea.
“This petition clearly requests for an action which is not within the powers of Parliament to take as it demands that upon the validation of the implied claims of assault and racism, members of the named religious organisation be repatriated to Korea,” Ratu Epeli said.
The Speaker said Section 21 (5) of the Constitution clearly articulated that every person who was not a citizen but was lawfully in Fiji, had the right not to be expelled from Fiji.
He said the only exception could be through a court order or a decision by the Minister responsible for Immigration on grounds prescribed by law.
Ratu Epeli said assault fell under the Crimes Decree 2009 and racial antagonism came under the Public Order Act 1969.
“Parliament has not been given the mandate to limit this right, particularly in such a direct and targeted way through the petitions process.
“As such it is the responsibility of the Fiji Police Force, working with interested and or aggrieved parties to investigate and lay charges where relevant.”
