State of the World's Minorities 2006 - Fiji Islands
| Publisher | Minority Rights Group International |
| Publication Date | 22 December 2005 |
| Cite as | Minority Rights Group International, State of the World's Minorities 2006 - Fiji Islands, 22 December 2005, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/48abdd848.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
There is ongoing tension in Fiji Islands in the aftermath of the May 2000 takeover of parliament by Fijian nationalist George Speight and the subsequent abrogation of the Constitution by the Fiji Military Forces. Although 2001 elections returned the country to parliamentary rule, there are unresolved tensions over the slow pace of prosecutions and reduced penalties for coup supporters (Fiji Islands' former Vice-President Ratu Jope Seniloli was released from prison in November 2004 after only four months of a four-year jail term for coup-related offences). In 2005, relations between the Fijian and Indo-Fijian community have been stressed by debate over the Reconciliation, Unity and Tolerance Bill introduced by the government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase – in spite of the name, key provisions of the bill provide amnesty for 'political' crimes and government critics see this as a way of appealing to Fijian nationalist sentiment in the lead-up to national elections in 2006.
