Fiji gay groups want Bainimarama apology Featured
Fiji PM Frank Bainimarama
8 January, 2016. Fiji's gay community is calling on the prime minister Frank Bainimarama to apologise for what it says are derogatory and homophobic statements.
In response to a suggestion that Fiji consider allowing same-sex marriage, the prime minister said if a woman wants to marry another woman they should go and have it done in Iceland and live there, adding that Fiji does not need that rubbish.
A joint release from Fiji's Be the Change and Oceania Pride movements has condemned the prime minister's statements, saying they will only fuel an already prevalent culture of homophobia and undo years of progress made in getting Fijians to embrace diversity.
Oceania Pride founder Jasmine Kaur says the LGBTIQ community wants Mr Bainimarama to honour the constitution and support equality for all people.
"He actually needs to apologise to the LGBTIQ community and reassure not just the community but the nation that hatred doesn't lead anywhere and that we need to create a culture of acceptance not tolerance and that is what I would like him to teach the nation."
RNZI
4 comments
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AGAIN, FREE SPEECH INCLUDES TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT YOU SAID...If you say something unkind or insulting about a minority group of people, you owe an apology for degrading them in public.
Especially from a powerful dictatorial politician person like PM Bainimarama of Fiji, he cannot use his office to abuse a minority group no matter how small their number may be. It may cause hatred and unlawful persecution of the members of minority groups.
I do not agree with gays' lifestyles, but I must respect their rights to free speech, which includes their rights to preach and recruit other people (free expression) to join their group. -
Mahalo ku holi e kau fakalady ia ke toe lele fakamalafoni'i kinautolu 'e Bainimarama he Barrack.
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Sai ke tau 'oli
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Tau sio kihe ngaahi nanunga oe fuu pusiaki ko CEDAW kuo faka'ataa mai e he Eiki ketau sio kiai.