Lynda Tabuya, the Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, is encouraging non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to actively participate in the democratic process by submitting petitions to Parliament. During her speech at the World Human Rights Day celebration in Suva, Ms. Tabuya highlighted the absence of petitions since the current Coalition Government took office and expressed a desire to see more engagement from NGOs.

She emphasized that Parliament serves as a platform for the people and urged organizations to utilize this opportunity for advocacy. “This is the people’s forum, get those petitions into Parliament and government,” she stated. Ms. Tabuya reaffirmed that human rights are inherent to every individual and everyone has the right to advocate for them.

Additionally, she underscored the significance of collective accountability, noting that it requires the cooperation of both the government and society as a whole. “Keep on doing it, don’t stop. Your voice needs to be heard; it needs to reach the highest levels,” Ms. Tabuya concluded.

In her message, there is an optimistic outlook on the potential for NGOs to impact governance and societal progress through active participation in the democratic process. By voicing their concerns and submitting petitions, these organizations can play a crucial role in ensuring that human rights are upheld and that the government remains accountable to its citizens.

Summary: Minister Tabuya calls on NGOs to engage more in the democratic process by submitting petitions to Parliament, highlighting the importance of advocacy in promoting human rights and holding the government accountable.