20 December, 2025, 4:03 pm Central - 27°C Rain

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
Ashok Transport issued Prohibition Notice and fined $1,500 for oil discharge into Vatuwaqa drain
Ashok Transport Pte Limited has been issued a Prohibition Notice and Remedial Orders under the Environment Management Act 2005, along with a penalty o...
1 hour ago
LATEST NEWS
About 93,000 tonnes of cane unharvested due to crushing capacity – FSC
About 93,000 tonnes of cane have been left unharvested, rather than the 140,000 tonnes as claimed by Opposition MP Viam Pillay.In a response to ...
18 seconds ago

156 RFMF personnel return home from UN Mission in Iraq
Emotional scenes were witnessed at the Nadi International Airport last night as 156 Republic of Fiji Military Forces personnel ...
19 minutes ago

Vanua leaders urged to partner with tertiary institutions for better training
Kofera Trust Secretary Samuela Tuidraki is encouraging Vanua leaders to work closely with tertiary training institutes to ensure their villagers ...
33 minutes ago

Climate relocation boost as NZ commits $5M to Fiji trust fund
The fight against climate change has received a major boost following the $5 million contribution from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of ...
51 minutes ago

Knife attacker kills three after smoke bombing Taiwan metro
At least three people have been killed, and nine others injured as a knife-wielding attacker ‍went ‍on a rampage in the Taiwanese capital, ...
2 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States has expressed serious concern about human trafficking indicators linked to the Grace Road Group in Fiji, as highlighted in the 2025 ...
2 days ago

Human trafficking allegations and issues relating to Grace Road Group
Human trafficking allegations and concerns linked to the Grace Road Group/+ARTICLE-311061+ARTICLE/PM says Govt cannot interfere into any human ...
2 days ago

Sonia Shanaaz says silent treatment hurts as she waits for assistance for her daughter with cerebral palsy
Sonia Shanaaz, the mother of 10-year-old Aarna who was born with cerebral palsy, says silent treatment hurts after she reached out to the ...
8 days ago

TOP