NFP backs ‘Fijian’ for all and secular state

The National Federation Party (NFP) has backed retaining ‘Fijian’ as the common national identity for all citizens and preserving Fiji’s status as a Secular State in Fiji’s Constitution.

In its submission to the Constitution Review Commission, the party said both principles promoted national unity and reflected Fiji’s multi-cultural and multi-religious

society.

The NFP said there should be no debate over retaining “Fijian” as the nationality of all citizens, noting the term had been used internationally long before it was formally

adopted in the 2013 Constitution.

“We totally support ‘Fijian’ as our common identity or nationality because it inculcates pride and patriotism,” the party said, quoting its founding leader Ambalal Dahyabhai Patel’s 1964 statement: “Won’t it be better if we thought less of our race and more of our nationality?”

The party also supported retaining Fiji as a secular state, although it criticised the way the provision was introduced in the 2013 Constitution.

“It is the way it was legislated in the 2013 Constitution without any consultation. Had there been consultation and consensus building, we are certain there would have been no opposition to these noble concepts.”

The NFP said both provisions should be retained in a new Constitution because they strengthen national unity, equality and social cohesion.