While Bainimarama’s concern is commended, his statement is inciteful- Catanisiga

While Bainimarama’s concern is commended, his statement is inciteful- Catanisiga

By Karishma Kumari
Friday 06/01/2023
Fiji Council Of Social Services Executive Director, Vani Catanasiga

Fiji Council Of Social Services Executive Director, Vani Catanasiga says while Opposition Leader Voreqe Bainimarama’s concern is commended, his statement is inciteful and from an atrocity early warning perspective this could motivate or drive certain individuals or groups to resort to violence as a response to real or perceived threats insinuated in such a statement.

She highlighted this when Bainimarama urged citizens who are living in fear or whose rights and freedoms as outlined in the Fijian Constitution have been undermined to email the FijiFirst Party.

Catanasiga says this is a critical time for our country therefore, she has urged political leaders to exercise wisdom and restraint in their public statements, keeping in mind that there is widespread social trauma of citizens due to our history of coups in Fiji, and our fragile political environment.

She says in the past 16 years, the FijiFirst Government has built mechanisms for redress and complaints that had been effective and should have been recommended as a first option in Bainimarama’s statement.

Catanasiga says these include the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission, Media Industry Development Authority and most of all, the Fiji Police Force.

The Executive Director says it was important during this national transition that those who feel to be victimized get appropriate support that could also include psychosocial services and referral assistance.

She further says the Government has the responsibility to protect, an international norm mandated by the United Nations and that basically means that all parts of government must work towards ensuring that people and their basic rights are safeguarded and protected.

Catanasiga says should potential complainants feel unsafe about these options, the Fiji Council of Social Services is urging these individuals to reach out to human rights NGOs to assist.




fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
FEATURE NEWS
Flash flooding expected in Suva, Nausori, Navua, Tailevu, Naitasiri, Ra, the North and other areas
Expect flash flooding in low lying areas in Suva, Nausori, Serua to Namosi including Navua, Tailevu, Naitasiri, Ra, Beqa, Vatulele, Kadavu and nearby ...
7 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Dr Qereqeretabua and Dr Ahmed to appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan at 7pm tomorrow
The General Surgeon at Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Doctor Timoci Qereqeretabua and Principal Medical Officer at the National Diabetes Centre, ...
6 hours ago

Vashist Muni College students assisted by Navua couple across flooded area to sit for Year 12 exam
Despite the heavy rain and flooding in Navua this morning, a couple took the initiative and offered to transport Year 12 students of Vashist Muni ...
6 hours ago

Parts of Suva without electricity
Parts of Suva are without electricity due to a fault while no time has been given on when supply will be restored. Affected areas includes Eden ...
7 hours ago

FCCC acknowledges the Reserve Bank of Fiji on FijiClear system upgrade
The Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission has acknowledged the Reserve Bank of Fiji on the successful launch of the upgraded FijiClear ...
7 hours ago

16 and 17-year-old arrested for drug related offenses
Police operations resulted in more people arrested for drug-related offences, where a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old were arrested in Lautoka after ...
8 hours ago
IN DEPTH
PM’s motion passed to reduce overseas travel allowances for the PM, Ministers, Assistant Ministers, Leader of Opposition and MPs
Parliament has passed the Prime Minister’s motion to reduce the rates payable for overseas travelling allowances for the Prime Minister, Cabinet ...
6 days ago

CEO of the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission, Joel Abraham appears on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
CEO of the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission, Joel Abraham appears on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay ...
12 days ago

HIV infections in Fiji increased 260% since 2010, making Fiji the second fastest-growing epidemic in the Asia Pacific region
Speaker of Parliament and UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for the Pacific Region, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau says according to the Global AIDS Monitoring Report, Fiji is in the top 5 countries of rising new HIV infections in the Asia Pacific region amongst the 15 t
17 days ago

TOP