The military and civilian takeovers or removal of elected governments is a crime of a high degree and must never be normalised.
This is the message from SODELPA Leader Viliame Gavoka to mark the International Day of Democracy.
He says the annual commemoration of the International Day of Democracy in recent years serves as a reminder that the need to promote and protect democracy is fundamental and foundational in the manner, we govern ourselves.
Gavoka says in 2007, the United Nations General Assembly resolved to observe 15th September as the International Day of Democracy, to promote and uphold the principles of democracy and also invited all member states and organisations to commemorate the day in an appropriate manner that contributes to raising public awareness.
He adds after gaining independence from Great Britain in 1970, Fiji endured many challenges socially, economically, and politically.
The SODELPA Leader says after 17 years of independence, Fiji was caught off-guard with the forceful removal of the Bavadra-led government through a military takeover or coup d’état led by a third-ranking military officer.
Gavoka says this was new to Fiji but it led to three more coups in late 1987, 2000 and 2006.
He says so long as there are laws in place protecting perpetrators, coups will always remain a threat to our fragile democracy. He also quoted Abraham Lincoln's statement that “Democracy is a rule of the people, for the people and by the people”.
Gavoka says it is a system of governance where citizens of the country elect the Government to rule the country and the elected Government must work for the welfare and interest of the citizenry.
He also paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II for her contribution to the promotion and protection of the rights and freedom of individuals.
He says the late Queen remained steadfast during those tumultuous periods of her reign and was a beacon of stability for democracies everywhere.
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