Former SODELPA parliamentarian and lawyer, Niko Nawaikula confirms that the government has advised that the request for their public procession this Thursday to protest against the 2013 Constitution has been refused due to a security assessment.
Nawaikula who is the President of the NGO called Standwithniko (SWN) Advocacy, says the decision to refuse the permit application has caused anger and concern to the march organizers of SWN Advocacy.
He says the denial of the right to protest raises deep concerns about human rights in Fiji.
Nawaikula says the march was intended to express lawful and non-violent opposition to the imposed, racist, and illegitimate 2013 Constitution of Fiji.
He says the Police have cited "national security" as the reason for their refusal.
Nawaikula says they categorically reject this justification as a peaceful protest is a cornerstone of any functioning democracy.
He adds it is a fundamental human right protected under Fiji’s own Constitution, including under sections that guarantee freedom of expression, assembly, and association.
Nawaikula says the 2013 Constitution was drafted without genuine public consultation and imposed without the consent of the people. He says the racism of the 2013 Constitution against the iTaukei is illustrated by its intentional omission to incorporate within its provisions all measures of protection of iTaukei group rights that were the corner stone of all previous constitutions including 1970 and 1997.
He says their planned march sought to shine a light on these issues in a peaceful and constructive manner.
Nawaikula says their struggle is peaceful, principled, and unwavering — and it will go on.
They will have a Talanoa Session on the 2013 Constitution from 11am to 1pm at the Fijian Teachers Association Hall at Knolly Street on Thursday.
When asked by fijivillage News, Acting Commissioner of Police Aporosa Lutunauga says the decision to decline the application is based on security reasons following a thorough security assessment conducted by Police.
