NGO Coalition on Human Rights calls on immediate ceasing of the rhetoric and politics of fear

The NGO Coalition on Human Rights has called for the immediate ceasing of the rhetoric and politics of fear in this immediate post-election period as the country moves into settling into the new year with a new Coalition Government at the helm.

The Coalition says they are finding the recent statements in the past few days by the Leader of the Opposition Voreqe Bainimarama, have been unsettling, without evidence, irresponsible and reckless.

The NGO Coalition emphasises that this is a time for political parties to focus on jointly rebuilding and constructively helping all Fijians move towards a genuinely free Fiji that respects human rights and practise the principles of a true and genuine democracy.

The Coalition also says while they are encouraging the calling out of the State in their Governance, they are also equally adamant there is no deliberate encouragement of untrue calls and actions that threaten our post-election transition, and the development and progression out of 16 years of governance led by one man, Bainimarama.

The Coalition says the past few months has already been an enormous and draining time for Fijian citizens as they experienced the political party campaigns, exercised their right to vote, awaited the results, and awaited the formation of the new Government in what has been a tense, and hotly contested political atmosphere.

They further say Fijians overwhelmingly voted for a change, and this is what must be respected, and allow changes within lawful means in the next four years.

The Coalition adds we all have the power to do in 2026 when a general election is held.

The Coalition congratulates the coalition Government for taking office and for promising to be inclusive and to consult all Fijians on the important progression and policy changes of the new Government.

They are saying this also includes the creation of a Great Peoples Assembly and they ask the Coalition Government to set aside individual political parties and individual preferences and put at the centre, the genuine well-being of all Fijians, in particular the special needs of women and girls, persons with disabilities, those living in rural and remote locations and the poor and disadvantaged.