Call to restore Sunday restrictions raised during constitutional consultations

A call to reinstate Fiji’s long-abandoned Sunday restrictions has resurfaced during constitutional consultations in the Lau Group, with a submission from Vanuabalavu urging leaders to formally restore laws regulating Sunday activities.

The submission was made before the Constitution Review Commission by Samani Koroi Biukitukuna, who argued Fiji should return to stricter Sunday observance in line with its Christian traditions.

Mr Biukitukuna told commissioners that in earlier decades, Sundays were widely respected as a day of worship, rest and family time, with business activity, sports and public work largely paused in many communities.

“Long ago, Sundays were respected in every village and town,” he said.

“People stayed home, went to church, spent time with family, and there was peace in the community.”

His comments reflected Fiji’s historical practice of Sunday restrictions, influenced by colonial-era regulations and the strong Christian missionary presence in the 19th and 20th centuries.

During that period, many provincial by-laws and local regulations discouraged or restricted commercial activity, sporting events and unnecessary work on Sundays, particularly in rural areas and chiefly villages where church observance was strongly enforced.

While no nationwide “Sunday law” currently exists, various local administrative rules and cultural expectations historically functioned as informal Sunday closures.

Mr Biukitukuna said the easing of Sunday observance over time had weakened social discipline and contributed to growing moral and social concerns.

“When businesses remain open and sports continue on Sundays, people no longer treat the day as holy,” he said.

“We are slowly losing our identity as a Christian nation.”

He said formalising Sunday restrictions would help restore respect, discipline and spiritual values within communities.

Mr Biukitukuna also said such a move would not discriminate against other faiths, but would instead reflect Fiji’s historical and cultural foundations.

“I am not against other religions,” he said.

“Everyone should have freedom to worship, but Christianity has always been the foundation of Fiji.”

The Constitution Review Commission acknowledged the submission as consultations continue across the Lau Group on issues including governance, religion, culture and national identity.

The discussion falls within the framework of the 2013 Constitution, particularly Section 22, which protects freedom of religion, conscience and belief while requiring the State to remain neutral in religious matters and uphold equal rights for all citizens regardless of faith.