“Fiji will soon celebrate national elections for the second time since our return to democracy. I say celebrate with a purpose, because truly free elections are the very starting point for democracy and freedom.”
This was the message by the Fijian Prime Minister Hon. Voreqe Bainimarama while delivering his national address at the 73rd United Nations General Assembly hall in New York.
Prime Minister Bainimarama said he is proud of what Fiji has accomplished in the Fijian democracy.
“Where we once had only the shell of democracy, we have now pierced that shell, and we have brought the Fijian people into a genuinely inclusive society in which minority rights are respected and all citizens are equal not just in name, but in fact.”
“That is the great promise of the 2013 Fijian Constitution, which has been the beacon for our progress through its vast array of political and socio-economic protections for every Fijian.”
He said Fiji has reinforced our democracy by passing laws to empower girls and women and protect them from violence.
“We have reformed our education system so that it provides real opportunity for all Fijians, regardless of income and regardless of whether they live in the capital or the most remote islands and regardless of gender.”