A member of Fiji’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission has called for a united national effort to confront racism, saying the fight against discrimination demands courage, accountability and sustained, honest dialogue. Sekove Naqiolevu delivered the appeal during a commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination organised by Dialogue Fiji in Suva on Friday.
Naqiolevu told attendees that eliminating racial discrimination could not be left to occasional gestures or to a few individuals. “Today reminds us that eliminating racial discrimination is not a one-day or one-person effort — it is an ongoing commitment that requires a whole-of-society effort,” he said, urging Fijians to be proactive in calling out societal misdeeds and challenging prejudice in all its forms. He stressed the need for personal and collective accountability for “the words we speak and the actions we take.”
The commission member emphasised that confronting discrimination requires breaking the silence that allows bias to persist. “It requires us to move beyond silence and complacency and instead choose courage — to stand up for fairness, to defend the dignity of others, and to actively build bridges where there may be division,” Naqiolevu said. He framed listening, honest understanding and courageous action as ongoing duties in how people treat one another.
Central to his remarks was the argument that social cohesion is not merely coexistence but active connection. “Social cohesion is not simply about coexistence. It is about connection. It is about building trust across communities, fostering mutual respect, and ensuring that every person feels they belong — regardless of their background,” Naqiolevu said, calling on institutions, community leaders and ordinary citizens to work together toward those goals.
The event in Suva marked the international day observed each year to highlight the need to end racial discrimination. Organisers from Dialogue Fiji said the commemoration brought together civil society actors, community representatives and members of the public to reflect on practical steps for reducing prejudice and strengthening community bonds.
Naqiolevu’s remarks add a prominent voice from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to ongoing public conversations about discrimination and social harmony in Fiji. By linking the commission’s mandate to the international observance, he signalled a push for sustained national action rather than symbolic recognition. His call for a “whole-of-society effort” frames the elimination of racism as a long-term project requiring participation from government, civil society and individuals across the country.
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