Police halted a march organized by the NGO Coalition on Human Rights in Fiji in Suva yesterday, citing security concerns. Fiji Police Force ACP Operations Livai Driu stated that the decision was made for security reasons. This response followed a statement from the coalition criticizing the police and the government for not granting a permit for a march in solidarity with Palestine.
The coalition’s statement condemned the police’s actions, describing their tactics of delaying and questioning through phone calls as reminiscent of a past dictatorial regime. They criticized the Fiji Coalition Government for claiming to promote human rights while simultaneously restricting the rights of its citizens, particularly by denying permit applications aimed at protesting against the genocide in Gaza.
The coalition reminded the Prime Minister that a commitment to an “Ocean of Peace” should also encompass peace in Gaza, West Papua, and Kanaky (New Caledonia).