The Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism Faiyaz Siddiq Koya tells religious leaders no one has the right to abuse women and children.

He said the Fijian Government was increasingly and seriously concerned about the safety of our children.

“Child abuse cases are sadly on the rise, therefore I wish to reiterate the comments of the Prime Minister that the authorities have zero-tolerance on crimes against children and women and perpetrators will face the full brunt of the law and the victims will be given justice,” Mr Koya said.

He also said this had been an ongoing issue and therefore needed to be stopped.

“I condemn the epidemic of domestic violence and violence against children in Fiji. It has been going on for many years. Every culture has its beauty, its charm but domestic violence and abuse of children have become the ugly underbelly of Fijian culture.

“It has been allowed to persist for too long. It came to be something we lived with; one of those ugly things we learned to live with but we should no longer accept it,” he said.

Mr Koya said violence against women, children and the elderly and the weak diminish us as a people.

“Violence creates fear and distrust, it robs people of their potential and quite simply, it is cruel. No religion should allow the abuse of trust that has been bestowed by women and children on us.

“We are in a new era and a new Fiji that has embraced equality and true democracy as never before. We guarantee freedom and equality for all in deeds as well as in words.”Mr Koya also said Fiji has repudiated its past of division, racism, ethno-nationalism and sectarianism.

“We need to continue the efforts of the Fijian Government in building a better Fiji for all so that we leave a beautiful future for the generations to come.”

Edited by: Manasa Kalouniviti

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