Govt revoking march permit is disgraceful - Ali

Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre Coordinator, Shamima Ali says it is totally unacceptable and disgraceful that the coalition government has revoked a permit for a group of students to march peacefully to call for an end to the genocide being conducted in Gaza.

While making the statement, Ali has also confirmed that the centre is having a vigil and rally from 5.30pm today against the government’s decision to not vote for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The vigil is for the victims and survivors and to call for peacer and end to the violence and atrocities in Israel and Palestine.

Ali says the students were not marching for Hamas so the Minister for Home Affairs, Pio Tikoduadua should stop misleading the people.

The Women’s Crisis Centre Coordinator says this is a violation of people’s right to freedom of expression, assembly and participation in global movements.

She says globally folks are marching including Israelis and Jews for a ceasefire, humanitarian response and peace talks.

Ali says the question also is; shouldn't the Police be investigating violence inciting posts and hatred speech rather than stopping people from calling publicly for a ceasefire, or is this partiality for Rabuka’s pro-Israel stance and are we entirely sure the Police has made this decision impartially. Ali asks is our police so impotent that they can't provide security for a group of Fijian students marching for peace and an end to the atrocities. She says the government must put an end to the fundamentalist rhetoric and fear mongering.

Ali adds let us remind ourselves that Fiji is a secular state and has had a long history of religious freedom despite attempts to derail this sometimes.