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Ro Kepa and Ratu Naiqama: "Those individuals that disagree with native Fijian group rights should simply declare their choice, cut off their connection with their native groups and delete their names from their VKB"

21/10/2013

61 Comments

 
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PictureNawaikula
Secretary, Niko Nawaikula, Fiji Native Tribe Congress responds to critics

"I don't normally reply on blogs because comments are faceless, very personal & without principled arguments, vulgar, not constructive and not inclusive. But, to answer Luveiviti query:

The argument put forward is that the statement by RTK &TC will infringe on the individual right of native Fijians. Not so.

Group right is not Individual right & there is a mile of difference.

Group right is about the identity of the group manifested in its unique language, cultural knowledge, custom & the need to maintain & protect it.

An individual acquires or is part of the group entitled to those rights by descent, by practice and by the individuals desire to identify with the group to speak its language and respect its culture & traditions. Self identification really.

But it remains always a matter of choice for the individual to be part of the group by respecting its culture & values. If the individual disagrees he has every right to, which must be respected. The term that was used for that was "tu galala" referring to those who opted out.

At the same time you are not part of the group as of right. You have to participate fulfilling your cultural obligation. It is the reason why there is a provision in the Native Lands act to delete names from VKB for that reason.

So what is the implication of the statement by RTK & TC ? They are simply restating the usual and obvious that being part of the group is a matter of choice. Except that those who choose not to should depart with dignity without dismantling the institutions and things sacrosanct that those who remain need.

Niko."

61 Comments
indigenous
20/10/2013 11:37:58 pm

Its about time.
Good on you chiefs. If you don't speak up who is going to do it.
Follow the paths of your great and wise ancestral chiefs and Fiji will prosper.
the path of the these thugs ruling this place is ruin and destruction.
vinaka

Reply
Viti Boy
23/10/2013 01:06:01 am


Fact Number !. The GCC was created by our past colonial masters. It was done to keep the peace and mobilise the masses. They only needed to provide bribes to the GCC and the Colonials had the nation under its control.

Prior to that Viti was a group of different tribes and regions. There was no one group in control.

Over time the GCC became dictators in their own right. Since 2006 we have had another kind of dictator.

We want our own village and region to have a voice. As individuals we want to have our own voice.

We need our traditional lands and culture protected by law. We don't need the GCC to tell us what to do. We don't want the IG to tell us what is best for us. WE WANT DEMOCRACY. WE WANT BASIC LAND RIGHTS.

We don't want greedy chiefs and greedy politicians stealing what is collectively owned by individuals and groups.

This response above is to allow the GCC to dictate once more. We want rights to our ancestral land. We don't need the GCC.

Reply
Toso Dina Viti
23/10/2013 06:44:19 am

Amen,

Very true. Dina Taucoko.

kaiviti kustom
4/11/2013 09:36:21 pm

you always have your individual right to speak up even against your chiefs and government...but no right to dismantle instutitions that existed before this regime...the people who own those rights should have been consulted before they were removed..otherwise this regime is like the colonialists that you complain about...they decide whats good for the natives (just like the regime) and just shove it up the natives noses without asking them first what they want...you complain about colonialists from past I suspect because they were white...this half cooked Fijian and muslim are quite ok for you that's why you cannot see that it is the same injustice only old was white but the new is black...viti boy????

lost in translation
20/10/2013 11:49:24 pm

To suggest that Itaukei who "do not agree with Itaukei group rights" are somehow less Itaukei than those who do and then to demand that they therefore should divest themselves of any rights of primogeniture guaranteed to them under the VKB within the statutory parameters set out under the Native Lands Act is nothing short of hysterical.

I mean seriously....?

Reply
Toso Ki Liu
21/10/2013 08:43:05 am

The system this two chiefs are espousing is "Socialism"

Socialism a political and economic theory of social organization that advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole."
synonyms: leftism, welfarism; More

This means all the itaukei are slaves to their chiefs "slaves" past present and future. Itaukei have no democratic right to their land or the government of Fiji past present and future.

Wake up and see the itaukei are no better of with this communal itaukei leaders in place.

Then they use their taukei for their democratic aspirations leveraging their communal leader position.

THERE HAS BEEN NO DEMOCRACY TO THE ITAUKEI WITH THIS SOCIALISM SYSTEMS IN PLACE IN THEIR COMMUNITY IT SUCKS THE BLOOD OF OUR KIDS AND MAKES SLAVES OUT OF THE TAUKEI PEOPLE. while the other races make use of their democratic freedom as individuals.

Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens participate equally—either directly or through elected representatives—in the proposal, development, and creation of laws. It encompasses social, economic and cultural conditions that enable the free and equal practice of political self-determination.

The Itaukei should forget this chiefs who are in it for themselves and put god first and choose how to live and where to live their life.

No human is born great then the other " THERE IS NO CHIEF EXCEPT GOD"

the belief in a chief is archaic and only leads to exploitation and slavery...

Kaiviti taukei ni yadra dui lewai koya dui lewa na ka e via cakava dui digia na nonai liuliu laiva na system vabobula vavanua sa sega na kena gauna qo.



Reply
Slaves
21/10/2013 03:03:13 pm

Toso Ki Liu,

Indeed your view on Fijian democracy where chiefs handed power of democracy to individual Fijians for the lower house was well covered by the GCC when they made additions to the Reeves Commission recommendations and promalgated in the 1997 Constitution.

Really this was the very first time Fijian's could ever vote freely.

BUT then the questions should be asked of who then took those rights away from the individual Fijians .. surely it was not the GCC or the 1997 constitution. There will lie your answer to deprivation of individual Fijians from individualistic democratic view back to controllled ...what you say "slavery" took hold thereafter, supported by some self centered hypocretes and regrettably further mastered by this regime.

And we say last election was democratic!

\m/asi
21/10/2013 03:39:34 pm

<b>There is nothing wrong with socialism. These socio-political labels of socialism and the synonyms, are usually dished out by those who subscribe to failed neo-liberalist economic policies.

However, this initiative from Ro Teimumu et al, is really advocating a tribal state within a state; headed by the very chiefs who signed this press release.
This is another twist to the land grab fear, perpetuated by the politics of the past.</b>

Garibaldi
22/10/2013 10:09:40 pm

Your confusing Socialism with Aristocracy my friend. Socialism is an ideology works towards the creation of an equal economic society and denounces capitalism in all it's forms. It is basically a modern take on Marxism and is actually not related at all to the type of rule being put forward by the chiefs.

In fact in socialist society there are NO CLASS SYSTEMS !.. Therefore, it is an semi - ARISTOCRATIC system..

However, I do agree with you on that note. The Chiefs have done nothing but exploit the Fijian Citizens in all aspects.

itaukei
12/1/2016 06:52:06 am

We itaukei are not kaidia. Kailoma. Or luvenisala like Bainarama. We have chiefs. Mataqali. Yavusa. Tokatoka and no itaukei owns land by his own power but it is by the head of the mataqali. Yavusa that is the chief that we have land.. respect the chiefs cos they are God given.. dont be swayed by any luvenisala like Bainimarama.. proud of being an itaukei.. respect your chief

abc
22/10/2013 09:07:30 pm

No, lost in trans...all the two brave chiefs are saying is if you do not want to be part of the group, get out of it by deregistering from the VKB.

Is that simple English enough?

Reply
Viti Boy
23/10/2013 01:10:09 am

I agree with you 100%> No more dictators, be they the IG or the GCC. Time for change. Time for basic democracy. No according to the IG or according to these chiefly supremacists. Neither of them know what is best for me, my family and my village.

Reply
lialia
21/10/2013 12:02:59 am

lost in trans
pls speak simple English,,,,what u saying?

Reply
sa veicalati
21/10/2013 12:19:36 am

I am saying that it is illogical.

The Press Release begins with the unequivocal statement that the two Paramount Chiefs represent and speak for Itaukei "group rights" and ends with a call for those group rights to be dismantled by demanding that those who "don't agree" should remove themselves from the group.

Incidentally there is no substantive exposition of what exactly those "group rights" are (or constitute), save for reference to statutory enactments from the1800's with a very vague and foggy "explanation" for why the whole edifice of group rights are solely founded on those enactments.

Itaukei culture and relationships are not defined by those enactments

One does not need a statute to tell one who one's veiwekani are, or what matanikatuba one has in all the vanua veiwekani one is related to.

So to then demand that one's own dravata and veiwekani write themselves out of the VKB just because one considers that Group rights debate is more important then veiwekani, is (to my mind) something distinctly UN ITAUKEI.

Blood is thinker than water for True Itaukei - and no debate about statutes or a Constitution or money or whatever else will make me kick a blood relative out of our mataqali just because we don't agree.

That is group rights - lomana na wekanu.

Reply
drafted by the Tribal Council lawyers ?
21/10/2013 01:02:44 am

That Press Release drafted by the Tribal Council lawyers is unfortunate because it is attributed to the Two Paramount Chiefs.

If those lawyers have any iota of loloma for these Paramount Chiefs they would not be having these Chiefs sign these types of ill conceived and very poorly structured Press Releases.

The Mana of our Chiefly houses and the Itaukei nation should be first and foremost in the minds of those lawyers drafting these things.

What one writes is an insight into ones thinking - which is why it is very important that the QUALITY of what is written (especially when one purports to write for the Itaukei nation) is well reasoned and well written - because one is no longer writing for oneself, but for the Itaukei nation.

And that carries a responsibility of circumspection and care.

Rajesh
21/10/2013 12:12:44 am

Chiefs are the leaders of its people.GCC have to stand up and fight the regime for its people and Fiji Constitution..
No time to wait for illegal election.

Reply
toso ki liu
21/10/2013 09:25:03 am

Rajesh where is democracy to the individual taukei in this equation. This absolutely absurd and rubbish.

While all other races espouse democracy derive the benefit of it. The taukei cant do anything except being locked up in socilaism and inferiority complex to everyone else and their so called chiefs.

This is totally wrong to right of human this is abuse of human rights.

There no human born higher then the other. Only God is chief. The chiefly system is outdated and better off forgotten so the itaukei race and move on and free to be enterprising in their land called Fiji.

To derive the benefits of their hard work without hinderance and to show the world their creative ability as brilliant individuals in commerce in sports in education and be totally free of bondage to a vanua system like every other races in Fiji

By their vote the itaukei are being used and abused by their leaders for their own purpose ....the itaukei cant vote freely and cant decide anything is an individual they coerced by the Vanua.

The chiefs use socialism (vanua) for their own benefit in voting numbers...to jump democracy while leaving their people in a slave system for their own benefit.

The Fijian chiefs should tell the people to be free to vote whoever they want to in a democratic society and free them from bondage and subordination to any other human or chief but to choose freely how and where to live and who to choose.

The Vanua has no value it degrades and enslaves the kawa i taukei..who need to be free from thie bondage and fly with the creativity respecting god not a chief who is only a fellow human being that is born equal and will die just the same.

Kaiviti taukei ni drotaka na vanua...ni lewai kemuni ni cakava na nomuni bula qarava nomuni matavuvale ya ga na ka bibi...Na turaga ga o Jisu kei na noda Kalou bula...na tamata sega ni solia e dua na ka ...vei keda ..Ira na noda turaga ra sagai ira ga kei na nodra matavuvale da dui sagai keda..sa kena levu...!!!

Reply
Who foots Puppet Pressie's bills?
21/10/2013 05:17:51 pm

Puppet President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau comes to mind as a direct beneficiary of a corrupted system exploited by a few rogue elements not necessarily chiefs themselves.

Anonymous
21/10/2013 07:08:37 pm

@tosokiliu. You must be joking, your logic is ludicrous! Even to the average Fijian, your blinkers must be tied too tight. For you can not see the trees from the woods.

toso ki liu
21/10/2013 07:14:42 pm

@ Anonymous your right, I just spun the shit above to pretend that Fijians are slaves. sitting here at QEB and monitoring all these blogs is a good waste of Tax payers money but what the heck I am getting paid! lOL

Jale
21/10/2013 12:08:31 pm

We have had elitist Fijian leadership of this country, with a pervasive role in state matters from GCC, yet life in most villages has regressed in every sense of the word.

Leaders must deal in HOPE - hanging on to institutions that are full of anachronism with little utility does not make these chiefs leaders. Deal up a game changer that can help our people become better parents to raise a new generation of iTaukei ready to face and be full participants in the 21st century Fiji. Why are members of some LOU with huge communal land holdings among the poorest in Fiji?

Reply
Slaves
22/10/2013 07:50:53 pm

Some huge communal land units are poorest in Fiji due to poor judgements of unequal distribution of resources as one of the reasons. Politicians did not allocate budget on needs but on chronism.

Some business community do up their proposals to improvements to their infrastructure for economic progress and back hand handout to politicians that left less money in the budget to allocate towards progress of these large land owning units, thus they remain poorest.

Some are on the path of cyclone and neglected to make improvements then to just give them rations for a week and fix the damage. While farm destruction leaves them totally out of pocket... yet FDB writes off more debts belonging to those land units and business community but govt's did not have balls to invest in those neglected areas.

That does not mean these poorest land owning units only need to hand over their land to Chinese to be able to progress financially.

These are no faults of the chiefs of these poorest land owning units but of the govt of the day that chose to handout $20m interest free loan to FHL, write off $300m to NBF... pay $20 to agriculture scam...

None of these are fault of those poorest land owning units... and other rick land owning units have been supported by economic developments in their areas without which they too would be within the poorest list. Cannot blame chiefs of those poorest land owning for writing off by govt money owing making these others rich.

party leader
21/10/2013 12:15:33 am

Does this mean that those who are planning to contest the elections under this constitution should also cut off their ties with the respective mataqalis.It is a question about agreeing or disagreeing with the constitution. You cant be contesting under the same constitution and be part of the mataqaili that still respects the chiefs and GCC.

Reply
Rajesh
21/10/2013 12:35:04 am

Frank and Khaiyum have no respect for the GCC and Fijian people The Chiefs should get the batis to kick this 2 idiots out of Fiji.
We dont need Frank and Khaiyum in Fiji they have stole from tax payers dollars and Elected Government.

Reply
Rajesh ke Baap
21/10/2013 05:33:21 am

Just who are the 2 idiots?

Those occupying the highest chiefly titles but with no clout to get their people to desert the army

Reply
Rajesh
21/10/2013 12:24:24 pm

Chiefs given birth rights like Kings /Queens .
Who gave Frank/Khaiyum the powers to rule and make laws?-Army Guns.
Why did army relied on support from the Chiefs and Fijians people in 1987/2000/2006 coup.?.
Khaiyum and Frank have used people for their own benefit and filling the pockets.
Where was all promised to give good transparent/accountable govt?
No military people will benefit.
He will hold the 1997 constitution..
He and minister will take 1 salaries.
No one will be allowed stand in election who are ministers in interim govt.
Frank and khaiyum are liars and con men.

Rajesh Junior
21/10/2013 12:45:48 pm

Rajesh stop making a fool of yourself!

These chiefs are talking because Frank has allowed them to talk.

They are also supporting SODELPA which has registered as a party and is preparing to contest the election under the new Constitution, so you idiot, STOP talking about the 1997 Constitution.

These chiefs are cowards - they will run back and hide if and when the are told that Frank has won the election - for the international community will endorse the election

They should have overthrow Frank long ago - the only reason they have not because they dont have the support of the people

They are hoping SODELPA will win and they will be back - forget it - the Fijian dominated military will never allow GCC back into Fiji

Reply
Toso Ki liu
21/10/2013 07:23:54 pm

@Rajesh Junior. We are a waste of Tax payers money, can't wait to see the look on Tax Payers faces when they realise what they pay us to do! Imagine, all we do is monitor discussion groups and spin shit thick enough that I don't know what I am talking about.

Reply
Rajesh Junior
21/10/2013 07:27:25 pm

@ Toso Ki Liu FUCK DIckhead! Cock sucker how did you know I'm in QEB!

bkc
22/10/2013 09:50:20 pm

too true toso...you don't know what you talking about...what a dickhead

Rajesh
21/10/2013 01:28:32 pm

Army are bunch of idiots and sucks on Khaiyum /Bai..
Army should be disband they are coup makers and only talk with guns biggest lamulamu .
Fijian Army should be ashamed and yes Sodelpa will win election if its free/fair but i now Khaiyum/Bai will rig the election.
Why Bai not resign as Commander of FMF and carry 42 Body Guards?-Lamu.

Reply
Stupid Lawyers
21/10/2013 03:55:44 pm

Toso Ki Liu
Vosa vakalialia ulukau.
Statement is also a mistake ,,,,,,,,Jese and Niko,,,pls draft things properly and use language which bring people together.
Democracy and chiefly system which is Kai Viti identity can exist side by side as in 1997 Constitution.
I Taukei Affairs , Kai Viti villages etc are run in recognition of Kai Viti social structure. That is how social cohesion and peace and harmony is maintained in kai viti villages and even in urban kai vitis.

Toso Ki Liu is a communist in the minority who is a destroyer who will create disharmony and war by advocating the destruction of Kai Viti identity.....dua na tamata lialia sese!!!

Reply
toso ki liu
21/10/2013 05:34:44 pm

No one wants to live hanging on to the past.

No one wants to keep solving problems with answers that don't work.

Kaiviti need paradigm shift and the right to self determination.

Kaiviti never get that in the village, they only get lots kava and lots of subordination ....and develop an inferiority complex to any kind of progress.

The taukei should 100% develop the right to self determination to choose freely where to live how to live and to choose who they want to lead them 100%.

Vanua better be locked in a archive book and be remembered as a system that did not progress the itaukei its like the dinosaur that need to be extinct ,or the film camera that is no longer of any use to its owners since digital camera took over. its a fact that some things are past their use by date.

Itaukei get out of the bera bus ...!!! get in to democracy and fight for your right to self determination and you identity as a true individual unique kaiviti taukei.

U dont need to be validated as kaiviti taukei by the vanua you are kaiviti by jesus and god not a human created system. Without the vanua kaivit ena taukei tikoga ena kaiviti tikoga..

Rerevaka na kalou ka doka na tui rokova na tamata kecega itaukei se kaitani... tosoya nomu bula me yaga vina nomu matavuvale i liu kei na matanitu.

Sa dri yani....

Embrace democracy in its true sense..without hinderance ena qai toso o Viti kei na kawa itaukei kece kei ira na turaga vovou era na duri mai ena tuvatuva vou va democracy...

Reply
Slaves
22/10/2013 02:44:15 pm

toso ki liu, go and read the 1997 constitution. Chiefs dismantled all powers to control its subjects when it comes to making their own choice who to vote for freely. They declared they are now chiefs of not only kai viti but to all the people that live in the vanua.

So your propaganda to justify the rogue constitution is just a wishful thinking.

come forward
22/10/2013 09:46:00 pm

toso my friend, when you finish high school in Nabua, you might want to go back to your village and get some lessons from your elders about pride and respect and who you really are..then you might be able to move forward with dignity

Kingston
23/10/2013 12:17:32 am

@toso ki liu. Perhaps you should go and convince your village chief together with your village elders to implement your concept. Make it a pilot project in your village or your yavusa. If you're successful with your project it will indeed be a blue print for the so called paradigm shift you're advocating. However when i read comments such as yours it tells me two things, either you're not a Kaiviti in the true sense of the word or you a what we regard as a Susu Madrai who does not appreciate his vanua or his true identity.You can tell the world what you think at the end of the day the fijian chiefly system will be there to see you off during your funeral whether you like it or not.

Freedom
23/10/2013 07:13:07 am

Free free free .........Free at last that one day....all humans will be free in Viti from the clutches of the "Vanua" and the chiefs of any rank.

Free at last , Free at last.

Embrace democracy..na kaiviti e sega ni lialia buturaki mai vei ira na turaga kei ira na vulagi ni ra vodo tiko ena "vanua bus" na basi bera.

Sa kena gauna me sa rauta...!! me soli na galala ni bula era via digia..!

Raica noqu vosa ena dina na qai laurai o cei e lialia.

Reply
Na Dina
22/10/2013 12:51:42 am

Shame on you Fijileaks for instilling fear & anger amongst Fijians Indigenous by printing the above evilly-constructed statement. It is obvious that the two chiefs are being used as puppets by some political elements with the so called groups that claims to be representing 'The Native Tribes'. Niko is a lawyer with a humble
sense. It is the people that surrounds the two Fijian leaders named here and their ulterior motives i.e political or personal gain is showing through. Shame on you for belittling the Fijian Chiefly Establishment. It aint a political platform It is cultural.
"That Press Release drafted by the Tribal Council lawyers is unfortunate because it is attributed to the Two Paramount Chiefs.

If those lawyers have any iota of loloma for these Paramount Chiefs they would not be having these Chiefs sign these types of ill conceived and very poorly structured Press Releases.

The Mana of our Chiefly houses and the Itaukei nation should be first and foremost in the minds of those lawyers drafting these things.

What one writes is an insight into ones thinking - which is why it is very important that the QUALITY of what is written (especially when one purports to write for the Itaukei nation) is well reasoned and well written - because one is no longer writing for oneself, but for the Itaukei nation.

And that carries a responsibility of circumspection and care."

Reply
Vinaka
22/10/2013 04:43:03 pm

Dina Sara Na dina.
Vinaka Vakalevu - great wisdom!

Toso Ki Liu - ur a fool speaking theory. No use the hot air cause if you want change, start by convincing your mataqali first then work your way upward. After 10 years, lets see where you are.

ULUKAU LECA I KA

Reply
toso dina
23/10/2013 07:03:17 am

The both chief's has given the democratic right to the taukei people to choose if they want to be in the VKB or not. They are humans they are not god.

Many kaiviti are not in VKB they dont see any reason why they have to...its only a roll call for soli.

For you information iko tamata lecaika. Respect the democratic right on individuals the chiefs have said it.

People have the right to choose. If you choose to subordinate yourself that is your choice.

So cut yourself from VKB if u dont like it. I would rather be with God then some paper written by a mere human.

What being in the VKB bring accept the pain of more soli and more poor.

Lewa ga nomu bula vataki iko kei na nomu vamacala.

Au tatau vina kawa i taukei ni lewai kemuni lewa na nomu qele na turaga sega ni kauta mai dua na ka sa oti na kena gauna.

Me nomuni turaga na kalou bula kei Jisu.

1234
22/10/2013 09:16:57 pm

sorry na dinau, whats your problem?? can you speak English??
whats wrong with chiefs speaking up for their people?? daaaa

Reply
Isoa Raibalavu
23/10/2013 12:16:22 am

One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.
Plato

Reply
Viti Boy
23/10/2013 01:03:33 am

Fact Number !. The GCC was created by our past colonial masters. It was done to keep the peace and mobilise the masses. They only needed to provide bribes to the GCC and the Colonials had the nation under its control.

Prior to that Viti was a group of different tribes and regions. There was no one group in control.

Over time the GCC became dictators in their own right. Since 2006 we have had another kind of dictator.

We want our own village and region to have a voice. As individuals we want to have our own voice.

We need our traditional lands and culture protected by law. We don't need the GCC to tell us what to do. We don't want the IG to tell us what is best for us. WE WANT DEMOCRACY. WE WANT BASIC LAND RIGHTS.

We don't want greedy chiefs and greedy politicians stealing what is collectively owned by individuals and groups.

This response above is to allow the GCC to dictate once more. We want rights to our ancestral land. We don't need the GCC.

Reply
Dina
25/10/2013 06:46:45 pm

Thanks that is what the kaiviti need.

Reply
Vijay Narayan - Regime lackey
23/10/2013 03:13:01 am

Tui Cakau refuses to speak after statement
Publish date/time: 23/10/2013 [17:05]

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The Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has refused to say anything to Fijivillage after we contacted him on a statement released by Ratu Naiqama and Marama Na Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa.

Fijivillage was alerted about the signed statement released by Ratu Naiqama and Ro Teimumu only to the antigovernment blog sites.

We asked Ratu Naiqama if we can question him on the issues raised in the statement.

He said he will not take any questions and will not make any comments.
We also asked him why they are only releasing statements on the antigovernment blog sites but he said he will not say anything.

We contacted Ro Teimumu Kepa and when we introduced ourselves, she said that she could not hear us.

We have called her several times but there is no answer.

In the statement, the two chiefs said the international community should not recognize the 2013 Constitution.

They said the original and properly consulted version is the Yash Ghai Draft.

They also said that they have maintained all along that the perpetrators of the 2006 coup will do well to go before the chiefs and the people of Fiji for remorse rather than to rely on the provisions of the new constitution.

In the signed statement, the two chiefs said that they will continue to do all they can, within the bounds of what they can do within the laws of the country to campaign for the recognition of the group rights.

They also want the restoration of the Great Council of Chiefs, raised concern on the removal of the name Fijian for indigenous Fijians by Decree and the nationalization of companies established under matanitu iTaukei including all provincial companies and Fijian Holdings Limited.

They said their rights are breached when the reference to indigenous Fijians as Fijians was replaced by the label iTaukei and application of the label Fijian to all citizens of Fiji.

Ro Teimumu Kepa and Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu said those individuals that disagree with native group rights should simply declare their choice, cut off their connection with their native groups and delete their names from their Vola Ni Kawa Bula.

Meanwhile, in an earlier statement, Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama had made it clear during the disestablishment of the Great Council of Chiefs that we should all look at ourselves as citizens of one nation.

He explained why the GCC had to be disestablished.

There is an audio file attached to this story. Please login to listen.


Story by: Vijay Narayan

Reply
Fiji Villager
23/10/2013 03:18:08 am

Vijay - no one altered you and Fijivillage to the statements - you lamusona - why dont you admit you read Fijileaks and other anti-government websites to find out what is REALLY happening in your beloved dictators Frank and Khaiyum's Fiji. Have some self-respect, you kai-colo of a journalist

Reply
Josh
23/10/2013 02:09:12 pm

these two Chiefs comment to de-register of names upon their pespective suggestion very foolish...Dui Turaga ga mai nomu vanua..

Reply
Joji Waqa link
23/10/2013 02:49:39 pm

@Josh. Kua na vosavosa vakalialia. The Confederacies for the two paramount chiefs cover two thirds of the whole Fiji Islands. They are recognized paramount chiefs in their confederacies through conquests of wars and through blood relationships. One could only assume that:
1). You are from the Kubuna Confederacy but then these two high chiefs have very close blood ties with the paramount chief of the Kubuna Confederacy whoever he or she may be.
2). You are not a iTaukei
3). Sa sivia beka ga na viavialevu

Toro cake na ua, toro cake na kolokolo. Sa kua so na viavialevu. Sikasikavi cei na nomu weli, na nomu vosa na kemui moku, dokadoka viavialevu o iko.

Reply
Kai Viti
23/10/2013 03:32:48 pm

Toso Dina
Your broken fijian shows you are some confused idiot unsure of his identity and wants to destroy kai viti social structure cause you are aimless and identityless,,,You quote Jisu but you hate the chiefs what a hypocrite ,get a life boci

Viti Boy - tamata lialia ,,,,GCC will result in a more powerful voice for kai viti,,,,,just need to be reformed a bit here and there....your 1 village voice will not be heard nationally,,,,,

Vijay Narayan - go madachod with ASK and get news from him. Why do you want news from the chiefs? Thought they were irrelevant so why run after them?
Fiji media are cowards and don't deserve any time from Kai Viti chiefs. Go interview Bai Boci and ASK your chiefs. Leave our kai viti chiefs alone.

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Keep It Coming
23/10/2013 03:44:59 pm

Vinaka, Fijileaks! Keep it coming. We read and believe Fijileaks and not Fijivillage news

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Secretary, Niko Nawaikula, Fiji Native Tribe Congress (FNTC)
24/10/2013 02:45:06 am

I don't normally reply on blogs because comments are faceless, very personal & without principled arguments, vulgar, not constructive and not inclusive. But, to answer Luveiviti query:

The argument put forward is that the statement by RTK &TC will infringe on the individual right of native Fijians. Not so.

Group right is not Individual right & there is a mile of difference.

Group right is about the identity of the group manifested in its unique language, cultural knowledge, custom & the need to maintain & protect it.

An individual acquires or is part of the group entitled to those rights by descent, by practice and by the individuals desire to identify with the group to speak its language and respect its culture & traditions. Self identification really.

But it remains always a matter of choice for the individual to be part of the group by respecting its culture & values. If the individual disagrees he has every right to, which must be respected. The term that was used for that was "tu galala" referring to those who opted out.

At the same time you are not part of the group as of right. You have to participate fulfilling your cultural obligation. It is the reason why there is a provision in the Native Lands act to delete names from VKB for that reason.

So what is the implication of the statement by RTK & TC ? They are simply restating the usual and obvious that being part of the group is a matter of choice. Except that those who choose not to should depart with dignity without dismantling the institutions and things sacrosanct that those who remain need.

Niko

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correction Niko
25/10/2013 03:25:25 am

Read the reply thread I posted below entitled "Disingenious of Niko the veiled reference to section 20 NLA".

Perhaps If you wish to reference legislative provisions (such as the NLA) please cite them, and let the people read them so that what you say matches with what the enactment actually says.

No harm in being transparent.

That forfeiture provision has specific limitations expressly stated therein, and it does not apply to the scenario you propose.

Section 20 of the NLA does not (and cannot) be used on an Itaukei who does not agree with your notions of group rights.

I have set it out in my posted reply thread below.

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abc
31/10/2013 05:05:22 pm

agree with you there that Niko's way of interpreting laws is flawed...look at his interpretation of section 4 of the Deed of Cession at the tribal council website...he seems to interpret to achieve a predetermined result.

roko
24/10/2013 04:45:07 pm

Niko

You must written it when you were grog doped.

Fijians have been treated as slaves by their chiefs. Who pays for our kids fees, lunch and uniform. We do. Chiefs drive in 4x4 land cruisers. Drink black label and we dring lemon leaf tea and yoqona once in a while.

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Na Koro Person
24/10/2013 11:11:28 pm

Roko
Tamata lialia ,,,,,,,why you bring up your family expenses?? That's not the chief responsibility BOCI.
No need to explain more to a moron. Moce

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Disingenious of Niko the veiled reference to section 20 of NLA
25/10/2013 03:12:40 am

This is the problem with misquoting and misinterpreting sections of the law - you end up taking a Legislative provision totally out of context - and in doing so mislead.

Section 20 of the NLA is the only section talking about forfeiture of rights - but it relates to forfeiture of ones communal rights under a specific situation where a person has for reasons other than employment or education resided away from ones communal lands for a period in excess of 2 years.

The provision applied at a time when the lawa itaukei stipulated that one could not leave ones village without the approval of the Provincial authorities and a permit from the District Officer.

Today it is obsolete because Itaukei societies are no longer entirely village based.

The absurdity of Niko's reasoning is self evident - if the provision applied today there is a possibility of men in the British Army coming home one day after 20 years in the British Army only to find themselves written out of their VKB

This is what section 20 says:

Rights of ownership may be forfeited by over two years' absence

20.-(1) Whenever any member of any land-owning communal division ceases to reside with such communal division for a period exceeding two years; it shall be lawful for the Minister, on the request of the other members of such communal division, to declare such Fijian to be no longer a member of such communal division and such Fijian shall thereupon become divested of all interest in the lands of such communal division.


Modus operandi


(2) Every request as aforesaid shall be made through the tikina council of the tikina in which the communal division making it resides.


Rights may be revived in certain cases


(3) Any Fijian in respect of whom such declaration has been made by the Minister or the agnate legitimate descendant of such Fijian may, with the consent of the communal division concerned and with the approval of the Minister be restored to membership of such communal division and to proprietary rights in its lands.


Limitation to operation of section


(4) This section shall not operate against any Fijian who is absent from his home by reason of employment in the service of the Government or of any recognized missionary body or any other lawful bona fide and regular employment, nor shall it apply to any married woman living with her lawful husband or to any young person living with his recognized guardian.


Amendment of land register


(5) When any order is made by the Minister under this section any register of native lands relating to land affected by such declaration shall be amended accordingly.
(8 of 1919, s. 3.)

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4 fiji ever fiji
26/10/2013 12:04:09 pm

I don't know what the fuss is about ,it goes to show that you have bbeen choosing your chiefs wrongly. We have had our chiefs for decades and now we want to discard them.. Good on you marama tau and turaga to for leading the way and showing this half cast what true kai viti is all about.I support you all the way.

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Tui Viji
27/10/2013 02:16:30 am

O Naiqama kei Teimumu e sega sara ni dua na nodrau baigani lailai ena yaca e volai se bokoci e na neimami ivola ni kawa bula na vei ysai Viji. E rogoci beka ga na domodrau mai na nodrau dui koro se yasana. Na dodonu cava e jiko vei rau me rau mai vosa raraba jiko vaka oqo. Rau veicai!

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turncoats
4/11/2013 09:38:59 pm

until you address this issue with full consultation with the kaivitis viti will always be at risk of coup after coup after coup...you cannot force the natives to follow the new order...simple really.

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TUKS
29/9/2015 09:06:26 pm

That bold head kulina and maverick de-barred solicitor, go and convince your father, mother, wife, sister n your kids first, you cock sucker idiot, you have absolutely done nothing for Fiji except problems-con man, user of your clients monies in your trust accounts, rogue itaukei dickhead.

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Ropate Baisagale
2/1/2016 03:22:41 am

To all my modern day fellow I taukei and all Kawa and Vasu I itaukei It is due time that we come together as one people and celebrate our common link that is" Vei lomani" the greatest foundation in any nation.YES our Vanua system will always have a place in it's limited boundaries.Chiefly system must adapt to the modern ways of life or it will die! Na i taukei ena gauna nikua esa vuli.With all respect I say this, not like the early colonial days where they hand picked a few chiefs to be educated in Great Britain.Today in modern Fiji all i taukei want to do well and be successful for their families,community and our beloved Nation. We the people desire our equal rights to the land,education,medical,employment,security of our children and future generation.Kivei kemuni na wekaqu luvei VITI if you love your Vanua start something from the resources God has blessed you with' Start a factory etc... just do something for the modern itaukei and bless our people sa kua mada na waste time talking!Chiefly system! E sa Vagauna na veika kecega ena ruku ni matanisiga. Let's adapt for the survival of our future generation.Times are changing,ways of doing things are changing please don't be left behind! Kind Regards to all.

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