FLP and PDP support secular state

The Fiji Labour Party and the People’s Democratic Party have stressed that they support Fiji to be a secular state.

Fiji Labour Party Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry said Labour has always advocated freedom of religion and people should not have any doubt on FLP’s policy on secular state.

Chaudhry said the party would like to see full religious freedom accorded to all citizens of Fiji.

When asked if the party is satisfied with the provisions of the 2013 constitution which promotes freedom of religion, Chaudhry stated that all previous constitutions had provisions for freedom of religion and so does this constitution.

PDP Leader, Felix Anthony said the party fully supports the idea to have a secular state.

According to the 2013 constitution, religion and the state are separate which means that the state and all persons holding public office must treat all religions equally, must not dictate any religious belief and must not prefer one religion over another.

The constitution also states that every person has the right to freedom of religion, conscience and belief.

It further said that every person has the right, either individually or in community with others, in private or in public, to manifest and practise their religion or belief in worship, observance, practice or teaching.