The Ecumenical Centre for Research Education and Advocacy said the whole issue of the two bills, that ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase said were not racist and wanted to bring back if and when they come back into power, need to be handled with care.
Director, Chantelle Khan said ECREA's work with communities has taught them that issues of this sort need to be approached with caution.
Khan added that the strategy the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua is using now is not in line with nation building.
The National Federation Party's General Secretary Pramod Rae said that the whole issue is Qarase's personal view and added that he would not like to elaborate on the issue and leave the matter as it is.
Ousted Prime Minister and the leader of the SDL party, Laisenia Qarase had earlier told Fijivillage that policies like the Qoliqoli and Indigenous Claims Tribunal bills are not racist and he aims to implement them when the SDL comes back into power. Qarase is hoping that the SDL will return to power as he has a passion for the protection of indigenous Fijian rights and property and has unfinished business to complete. However, he stressed that the protection of indigenous Fijian rights does not mean that the other communities will be ignored as their rights will also be protected.
Handle Issues With Care: ECREA
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