Chaudhry: 'Fijian' belongs to every citizen

The Fiji Labour Party (FLP) has opposed any move to reintroduce ethnic classifications in Fiji, arguing that every citizen should continue to be recognised simply as "Fijian."

In its submission to the Constitution Review Commission, party leader Mahendra Chaudhry said the principle of a common national identity under the 2013 Constitution should be retained.

"The name Fijian belongs to every citizen by right of birth, upbringing, contribution and loyalty to this country," he said.

Mr Chaudhry warned that restoring ethnic labels in official documents or public policy would divide the country and create second-class citizens.

He said Indo-Fijians, Rotumans, Chinese Fijians, part-Europeans and other communities had all helped build modern Fiji alongside iTaukei people.

"To suggest that Indo-Fijians or other non-iTaukei citizens should be given a different category or class of citizenship is both historically inaccurate and morally wrong," he said.

The party submitted that all citizens should continue to enjoy equal status regardless of ethnicity and that identity should be kept out of political debate.

It also opposed any attempt to introduce ethnic categories in passports, birth certificates, electoral rolls or other official records.

Mr Chaudhry said a united Fiji could only be achieved when every citizen felt equally valued, protected and recognised as Fijian.

The FLP made five recommendations to the Constitution Review Commission aimed at strengthening the constitutional principle of equal national identity.