Fiji prime minister urges calm over constitutional review

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is asking Fijians to remain calm after the Constitutional Review Commission released its report and recommendations. He emphasized that the commission has finished its work, but its proposals do not represent decisions by the government.

Cabinet will now examine the recommendations before determining the next steps. Rabuka said the proposal concerning Fiji’s status as a secular state has generated particular concern. Although his Christian faith is well known, he said declaring Fiji a Christian state would not by itself make the country Christian.

Rabuka said Christianity should instead be reflected in humility, kindness, compassion, hard work, service and love for others. He also assured Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and other communities that their faith, freedom and place in Fiji must be respected and protected.

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My Christian faith is well known, but simply declaring Fiji a Christian state does not make the country Christian.

The prime minister urged political leaders to use restraint and avoid turning the constitutional discussion into a political, racial or religious confrontation. He said anonymous social media accounts and online trolls were already trying to create anger, fear and panic, and warned Fijians not to let misinformation and inflammatory comments divide the country.

Rabuka said Cabinet could support some recommendations, reject others and send some back for further consideration.

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Christianity should instead be reflected through humility, kindness, compassion, hard work, service and love for one another.