NGO Coalition to continue to push for permit to march

The NGO Coalition on Human Rights will continue to work on getting a permit to hold a march for the victims of Gaza.

Social Empowerment and Education Program Director Chantelle Khan says they believe that this coalition government will try and see reason and how it is important to give citizens the freedom of association, freedom of being able to speak their mind and to say what they want to say.

Khan says having the march is what they are going to be working towards slowly, but they have to make sure that they get all the right things legally in place before they can do a march in town.

She says they did not get the permits when they applied before, as the government claimed that it had to do with their protection.

She adds the march is really about making our nation understand what democracy is and that it allows all citizens to speak.

Two permits for a march in solidarity with Palestine was disapproved last year.

On October 31st 2023, Minister for Home Affairs Pio Tikoduadua said that Police had denied the application by students of the University of the South Pacific to march in solidarity with Palestine.

He says the police have made their assessments, looking at risks and considering the potential for communal discord.

Assistant Commissioner of Police – Operations ACP Livai Driu had said in November 2023 that no permit would be given to any application to gather for the Israel and Gaza situation for security reasons.