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Tutaka Online Issue 1 Jan 2008.Pmd OnlineOnline Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2008 Website: www.ccf.org.fj ISSN: 1996-5281 Racial discrimination in Fiji to be discussed by CERD in Geneva Fiji’s periodic reports to the Committee on namely: CCF, Women’s Action for are covered in the submission include: the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Change (WAC), and Ecumenical Centre • the four coups and its impacts; (CERD) will be discussed in Geneva on 19 for Research, Education and Advocacy • history of reporting to the Committee and 20 February 2008. (ECREA). A draft submission was sent to on CERD by Fiji; the Reconciliation, Tol- The non-government organisations’ ‘Sub- CERD, in Geneva, on 31 October 2007. The erance and Unity Bill of 2005; mission to CERD Concerning the Repub- final NGOs submission was sent to Ge- neva on 19 January 2008. • preferential treatment by previous gov- lic of the Fiji Islands’ identified the race- ernments; based communal voting system and the lack The submission assesses, from the civil of a national identity for all citizens as society point of view, the quality and ex- • race-based affirmative action in education major problems of racial discrimination in tent of efforts made by the Government and other areas; Fiji. of Fiji since 2002 to comply with its obli- • unresolved land issues and growth of A PDF copy of the submission can be gations under the CERD Convention. In squatter settlements; viewed at the Citizens’ Constitutional Fo- response to a request by the Committee • disproportionate immigration of Indo-Fi- rum (CCF) website: www.ccf.org.fj. The on CERD, the Fiji Government on 20 June jians; 2006 submitted its 2005 and 2006 reports submission was made possible through • racist provisions in the Immigration Act together in one document. Its last submis- funding from the European Union. 2003; sion was made to the Committee in 2002. The submission has been endorsed by three • suicide rates; Fiji non-government organisations, Issues relating to racial discrimination, that (continued on page 6) Charter meet Citizens march for human rights The first meeting of the National Council for Building a Better Fiji (NCBBF) took place at the Tradewinds Hotel Convention Centre in Lami, Fiji. The meeting was opened by the President of the Republic of the Fiji Islands H.E. Ratu Josefa Iloilo, followed by speeches by the co-chairs: Interim Prime Minister Commo- dore Voreqe Bainimarama (representing government) and His Grace Archbishop Petero Mataca (representing civil society). 34 members attended the first NCBBF meeting including Chief Executive Officer of CCF Rev Akuila Yabaki. On behalf of NCBBF members, Rev Yabaki gave a vote of thanks, stating that he was honoured to speak on behalf of citi- Traffic in central Suva came to a standstill around midday on 10 December 2007, as people zens and communities that make up our marched through the capital to commemorate International Human Rights Day. The march wonderful country Fiji. He thanked all for was organised by the Citizens’ Constitutional Forum (CCF). Several non-government (continued on page 2) organizations joined the march. Full story on page 6. Editor’s notes Human rights song competition The deadline for entries to the Human entries. For further information, contact Democracy and human rights are widely Rights Song Competition has been ex- Mosmi Bhim on phone: 3308379 or email: used concepts now but still very little tended to 29 February 2008. [email protected]. understood. People know more about what rights they have, however, not eve- The Citizens’ Constitutional Forum Entries should be posted or hand delivered ryone is willing to acknowledge their (CCF) launched the competition on 28 to: Song Competition, Citizens’ Constitu- responsibilities towards rights and December 2007 through advertisements. tional Forum, 25 Berry Road, Suva; PO Box freedoms of other human beings. The initial deadline of 31 January 2008 has 12584, Suva. been extended to give time for more en- This continues to be a challenging aspect tries. of democracy and human rights educa- tion work. Individuals are invited to submit lyrics for a song on human rights. Students are en- Conflict cannot be resolved through en- couraged to participate. trenched positions of non-engagement. Nor can it be resolved without the par- Song entries will be judged on the follow- ticipation and commitment of all parties ing criteria: to the conflict. To build a better future, 1. Must be based on human rights. the lessons and mistakes of the past must 2. Must be in English and can include local be acknowledged. This is the message Fiji slangs. that CCF takes to the Charter process. 3. The song must reflect the Fiji situation. Tutaka - Published by: CCF, 25 Berry Rd, 4. Should be adequate for a 3 to 4 minute PO Box 12584, Suva, Fiji. song. Masthead design: Jo Uluinaceva Template design: Mosmi Bhim 5. Entries should be in the form of a voice Editor: Mosmi Bhim cassette or CD, accompanied by the writ- Contact: [email protected] ten lyrics. Ph: (679) 3308379, Fax: (679) 3308380 CCF staff Marie-Pierre Hazera (left) and Printer: Bluebird Printery Ltd The best song will be recorded to be aired. Marama show their Human Rights Day t- Prizes will be awarded to the best three shirts, being sold at the CCF Office for FJ$12. First NCBBF meeting to prepare Charter (continued from page 1) or so has been that out of the crises, we nations are much more difficult. Priests and this historic first meeting of the National have made attempts to build and improve Ministers of religions are no better Council for Building a Better Fiji. the basis of constitutional governance. Our equipped than anybody else in the under- problem has been that we have not been standing of this more complex dynamic. Below are extracts from Rev Yabaki’s vote able to make it work, in accordance with We must learn from each other through of thanks. the enshrined constitutional principles, and analysis and dialogue towards constructive “I thank your Excellency the President, for to sustain democratic governance. How- solutions. Russell Daye, A Canadian Theo- your inspiring words of encouragement, for ever, our people are learning through ex- logian (who is an expert on the South Af- all our communities and the nation, to work perience the difficulties and challenges of rican experience of national reconciliation) together in this process of constructive moving towards a better-governed coun- and who used to teach at the Pacific Theo- engagement and trust-based dialogue. try, based on tolerance, trust and co-opera- logical College, states that political forgive- Consultation and consensus building to- tion. ness and reconciliation can be a long his- wards a People’s Charter for Change and I also wish to congratulate and thank all torical process involving generations. Progress begins with us here today and the inaugural members of the National Ladies and gentlemen, the task of helping then, we try to extend it to our fellow citi- Council for Building a Better Fiji, includ- in the recovery and rebuilding of our na- zens and communities. ing those who have formed the nucleus tion is a challenge that we do not take I thank Commodore Bainimarama and Technical and Support Secretariat, for your lightly because it is massive and difficult. members of his interim Government, past generosity of spirit, courage and patriotic We can only make a start and unfinished and present, for their wisdom, foresight loyalty in giving your support and com- work may have to be passed on to others, and resolution, in initiating this process mitment to the work of charting our way even future generations, who we hope will that is very much needed at this time. For forward towards a better Fiji for all. appreciate what we achieve (or may not some of us civil society organizations, af- Finally I would like to say that one of the achieve) at the end of this process. We ter much soul searching and debate, we strong reasons that some of us in civil so- must remain open to dialogue with those came to the conclusion that this initiative ciety organizations have supported this who at this stage will not join us. I pray is the most practical and constructive way initiative is because we see it as a broad that God will inspire and guide us in all forward to get our country back to elec- societal and political transformative proc- our efforts to move this country towards a toral democracy. But a better democracy ess that can begin to heal the wounds of better future for all. then what we have had in the past, one that our recent history, and achieve a greater Once again, thank you to our leaders and is more broadly supported, more deeply measure of reconciliation on all sides. all of you who have decided to commit rooted and sustainable over the long term. The concepts of political forgiveness and yourselves to this important worthwhile Our experience in Fiji over the last 30 years reconciliation involving communities and undertaking.” 2 Tutaka Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2008 Human rights, good governance workshop The Grassroots Education Workshop on talk by Rev Yabaki on Human Rights and Good Governance was Basic Human Rights and conducted at the Salvation Army Hall at Good Governance con- Grantham Road, Raiwaqa on 30 October cepts. These were ex- 2007. plained in vernacular – in The workshop was conducted by the Citi- Fijian and Hindi. zens’ Constitutional Forum (CCF) The introductory talk through its staff Rev Akuila Yabaki and was very useful as par- Mosmi Bhim, by way of participatory ticipants were able to learning exercises.
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