Two leading women's NGOs in the country do not support the latest statements by the ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase that the Qoliqoli and Indigenous Claims Tribunal bills are not racist and he still aims to implement them when they come back into power.
The Fiji Women's Rights Movement Executive Director Virisila Buadromo said they do not support these two bills and any other which do not support human rights.
Fiji Women's Crisis Centre Coordinator Shamima Ali had similar sentiments.
ECREA Director Chantelle Khan said ECREA's work with communities has taught them that issues of this sort need to be approached with care and caution. The National Federation Party's General Secretary Pramod Rae said that the whole issue is Qarase's personal views and adds he would not like to elaborate on the issue and leave the matter as 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 still aims to implement them when they come back into power. Qarase is hoping the SDL will return to power as he has a passion for the protection of indigenous Fijian rights and property and he has unfinished business to complete. However, he stresses that the protection of indigenous Fijian rights does not mean that the other communities will be ignored as their rights will also be protected.
Women’s NGOs Don’t Support Bills
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