Report reveals need for Govt institutions to build trust between people and those who are supposed to serve them – Tikoduadua

One of the biggest observations that has come out in the National Security and Defence Review Report is how to build trust between the Fijians and the people that are supposed to serve them.

Speaking to the media during the launch of the report, Minister for Home Affairs, Pio Tikoduadua says trust in our security agencies both in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the Fiji Police Force must be restored and strengthened.

The National Security and Defence Review proposes a new national security framework for Fiji’s national sovereignty that emphasizes transparency and accountability in the management and development of the security sector.

According to the report, the core finding throughout the National Security and Defence Review consultations was that public trust in government institutions is deficient.

It says the government must earn the trust of the community and civil society organizations by ensuring that their perspectives are heard and their contributions to national progress and unity are recognized.

It also says there is a significant deficit in trust that human rights, as enshrined in the Constitution and the various international conventions ratified by the government, are indeed respected by the different security sector agencies, particularly the military and police.

The report adds rebuilding trust in the institutions of government, civil society, and the wider community is critical for national security.

It says such trust is essential to fostering a whole-of-nation commitment to national security.

It adds that State institutions require strengthened democratic accountability, particularly in the security sector.

The report says the government and the public sector face an immediate challenge in regaining community trust and little progress can be made in improving national security without the trust and support of the community.

Tikoduadua, says it will be a pity if the National Security and Defence Review Report is not implemented.

He says the report will be useless if it is left on the shelves because they have written many reports in the past, and their implementation has been futile.

He says this is because they were never resourced or there was no political will for it to be implemented.

He says there is also an inter-agency committee that will make sure the recommendations are implemented and make it work for the people of Fiji.

The launch was attended by government officials, civil society organizations, the private sector and non-governmental organizations.