Rights Bill should give iTaukei greater control over natural resources, says Adi Finau

The Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei has called for indigenous landowners to be given greater control over the natural resources on their land, arguing that ownership of land alone does not guarantee ownership of what is found on it.

Appearing before Parliament's Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights on Friday, Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei president Adi Finau Tabukaucoro made the submission during consultations on the proposed Rights of Indigenous Peoples Bill.

She said while iTaukei owned most of Fiji's land, existing laws limited their ability to benefit from its resources.

"We own all the land, but we don't own the trees," Adi Finau said.

She questioned why landowners could not use their land as collateral and why they did not own the mahogany and pine trees growing on their land.

"Indigenous communities have little control over carbon reserves. It's time for leaders to review existing laws and give Indigenous people greater freedom over their resources."

Assistant Minister for Justice Josaia Niudamu noted that some earlier submissions had argued existing laws already protected iTaukei rights and questioned whether another law was necessary.

Adi Finau disagreed, saying the proposed Bill would formally align Fiji with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and strengthen protection for indigenous rights.

She said one of UNDRIP's key principles was self-determination and argued that various laws over the years had reduced the ability of iTaukei to make decisions on matters affecting them.

"Rights of Indigenous Peoples Bill should deliver practical benefits instead of becoming 'just another piece of legislation'," Adi Finau said.

She said the Bill should strengthen Fiji's commitment to UNDRIP and enable indigenous organisations to access international assistance and resources available under the declaration.