Ali asks is Fiji a democratic country as Police deny their permit to march

The Chair of the NGO Coalition on Human Rights in Fiji, Shamima Ali is asking if Fiji is a democratic country as the NGO Coalition was denied a permit to march.

Ali says they will continue to call for a ceasefire and to stop the genocide in Gaza.

She says Police informed them that their permit had been refused due to the fear of retaliation and inciting violence.

However she raised concerns that Police were harassing them and asking questions about why they were gathering and receiving threatening calls that same afternoon.

Ali says it is very unjust and is a violation of human rights and freedom of assembly, freedom of association and expression which are people's rights, and it is not acceptable that permits will not be given for any march and events for Gaza.

She says it is not fair as they fought for this in the last 16 years while Christian Zionists are openly allowed to gather outside Parliament, waving the Israeli flag without a permit.

Fiji Women’s Rights Movement Director, Nalini Singh says she is upset about the government's actions as to how can peaceful marches not be allowed in the country which is moving towards improving the the fragility of our democracy.

Questions have been sent to Police and Minister of Home Affairs, Pio Tikoduadua.