5 December, 2025, 5:02 pm Central - 28°C Clouds

Ali asks is Fiji a democratic country as Police deny their permit to march

Ali asks is Fiji a democratic country as Police deny their permit to march

By Aaryan Pal
20/11/2023
The Chair of the NGO Coalition on Human Rights in Fiji, Shamima Ali

The Chair of the NGO Coalition on Human Rights in Fiji, Shamima Ali is asking if Fiji is a democratic country as the NGO Coalition was denied a permit to march.

Ali says they will continue to call for a ceasefire and to stop the genocide in Gaza.

She says Police informed them that their permit had been refused due to the fear of retaliation and inciting violence.

However she raised concerns that Police were harassing them and asking questions about why they were gathering and receiving threatening calls that same afternoon.

Ali says it is very unjust and is a violation of human rights and freedom of assembly, freedom of association and expression which are people's rights, and it is not acceptable that permits will not be given for any march and events for Gaza.

She says it is not fair as they fought for this in the last 16 years while Christian Zionists are openly allowed to gather outside Parliament, waving the Israeli flag without a permit.

Fiji Women’s Rights Movement Director, Nalini Singh says she is upset about the government's actions as to how can peaceful marches not be allowed in the country which is moving towards improving the the fragility of our democracy.

Questions have been sent to Police and Minister of Home Affairs, Pio Tikoduadua.

FEATURE NEWS
Let us not have constitutional consultations merely to tick a box, AG's Office must include the GCC in talks - President
The fact that we have had four Constitutions means that we have tried and failed to establish a foundation that is acceptable to the majority of the p...
4 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
$140,000 renovation project of Empower Pacific Counselling Centre aims to provide improved services
A $140,000 renovation project, funded through a donation by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has soft-launched the Empower Pacific ...
27 minutes ago

Tourism Fiji strengthens its engagement with operators in Vanua Levu and Taveuni
A platform for open discussion on opportunities, constraints, and pathways to improve tourism outcomes in Vanua Levu and Taveuni was the main focus ...
53 minutes ago

Vou makes history as first Fijians to headline major NZ Arts Festival
A proud moment for Fiji’s creative industry is on the horizon, as Vou Dance Company prepares to make history on two of New Zealand’s major arts ...
2 hours ago

Family left homeless after house fire in Navicula Village, Korovou
A family is left homeless after a property fire completely destroyed their one-bedroom home in Navicula Village, Korovou, on Wednesday afternoon.The ...
2 hours ago

Electrical fire in one of the maternity ward rooms at CWM Hospital controlled
An electrical fire occurred in one of the rooms of the Maternity Unit's Ante-Natal Care Department at the CWM Hospital.The fire has been ...
2 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Fiji Law Society Convention 2025
There is a constant struggle that we seem to have in Fiji with upholding and respecting the rule of law, and in my view, I think it starts at the ...
7 hours ago

Tribunal case of suspended Commissioner of Corrections Dr Nakarawa
Tribunal proceedings for suspended Corrections Commissioner Dr Nakarawa are underway, focusing on allegations of misbehaviour during his tenure as ...
7 hours ago

Inspire Pacific Founder Ben Morrison and Peer Mentor Tikiko Tavualevu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Pastor Ben Morrison and Tikiko Tavualevu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan as they discuss Inspire Pacific’s specialised ...
1 day ago

TOP