Fiji’s history of coups has periodically challenged and held to ransom democracy and rule of law - NGO Coalition

True democracy means that every Fijian is able to have a say in decisions that affect their lives.

This has been highlighted by the NGO Coalition on Human Rights.

They ask what has the country achieved after almost 52 years since Fiji's independence from British rule.

The NGO Coalition believes there is increased militarization of our government, media freedom is not fully exercised, violence against women and girls is at an all-time high and the impact of COVID-19 on our people is still felt in ripples where security and safety of Fijians are at risk.

They say democracy is more than just holding elections or checking boxes of conventions ratified and international obligations met, it means that freedom of expression and free media are protected without fear and intimidation.

They demand that the military and police end brutalising ordinary citizens, and ensure that women are on equal parity to men in all spheres.

The coalition says a truly democratic State is inclusive, transparent, accountable and representative of everyone, free from any form of discrimination.

The NGO says Fiji’s history of coups has periodically challenged and held to ransom democracy and rule of law.

They say today, we still see a fragile democratic State that has not completely recovered.

They demand that the government cease control and abuse of power to suppress the media from publishing matters of national public interest as without a free press, democracy cannot survive.

The Coalition on Human Rights calls for true and genuine democratic rule and demands that the government holds true to its global 'promises' on the protection of human rights.