This legal issue is a product of the cultural hedgemony and unethical political endorsements by the Fijian Affairs Board. Their role of developing all Fijian provinces has taken a back seat to their self appointed role of politician selection, which basically dis-enfranchises the voting rights of Fiji citizens, who dwell in these same native boundaries. It is as if the individual is not capable of choosing their own representatives in Parliament.
Further to contenscious issue, of the legal boundaries for Politicians and their conflict with the existing framework of provincial councils. The legality of stopping the movement of outsiders into rural Fijian villages is impinging on the constitutional rights of Fiji citizens. Adding more confusion of the marriage of convenience between Fiji cultural system and the western democracy; which the entire state of Fiji straddles. Creating a unsustainable situation, for the aspirations of Fiji as a multiracial nation.
Fiji Times editorial adds more verbatim on the issue.
A right to choose
Friday, March 24, 2006
CHIEFS wield a lot of influence and command respect in their traditional communities.
The people look up to their traditional leaders for guidance, support and especially advice on matters concerning their welfare and safety. The people in turn commit themselves to obeying legal directives and instructions from their leaders.
This traditional loyalty to authority however is often taken advantage of.
An example is the use of traditional leaders by politicians to garner support and thus votes.
As the general election campaign gathers momentum, a strategy by political parties we will see more of is the use of these traditional leaders to woo voters.
The hope is that the chiefs by using their influence will win the support and confidence of the people in supporting that particular party. Out of loyalty to their chiefs, the people support whatever political party the chiefs join.
It has been a trend since Independence and is a sad reflection on the kind of leadership some people had to face, and are still facing, in their various communities.
It will continue unless these people are made aware of their rights to make their own decision on such matters without having to accept what the chiefs accept.
In previous general elections some traditional leaders disallow certain parties from entering their districts or villages to speak to the voters. This is unfair because then the people are not given the opportunity to listen to all the political parties before making informed decisions on how to vote.
While everyone should enjoy the right to move freely around the country, some political parties out of respect for traditional protocol avoid going into areas they know they will not be welcomed in. Thus the electorate is denied the opportunity to listen to alternative political viewpoints before making their decision at the polling booth.
Not only political parties but also some religious groups have been banned from entering villages and rural settlements where their members reside because the chiefs hate new denominations entering their domain.
Politics or religion, it is important and just that one is given the opportunity to make one's own decision, after listening to all the alternatives available, without any hint of coercion.
Freedom of movement, speech, assembly, expression and association are rights enshrined in the supreme law of the land. Those who deny them to others are breaking the law and should be prepared to face the consequences.
Club Em Designs
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