Qereqeretabua says the stopping of a youth climate march in Nasese is unbelievable hypocrisy

National Federation Party MP Lenora Qereqeretabua is questioning why a climate march along Nasese involving youth from around the country was stopped by Police when they were showing their support for the Government's stand in the COP26 climate conference.

She says the hypocrisy of the FijiFirst Government is unbelievable.

Qereqeretabua adds Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum give speeches in Glasgow against climate change but young people in Fiji are not allowed to march and show their support for the same thing.

She says Saturday was a day of action for young people all over the world to rally and demand climate justice.

Qereqeretabua adds in hundreds of places young people turned out in support but not in Fiji because the Police said they needed a permit from the Fiji Roads Authority to march on the footpath.

She says the Fiji authorities’ automatic reaction to anyone wanting to rally or march – unions, political or other activists – is to say no.

The NFP Vice President adds now they will not even allow young people to support the Government.

Acting Prime Minister Inia Seruiratu is yet to respond.

We have also asked the Fiji Roads Authority.

Police say there was no permit issued by them for the march and it was relayed to senior members part of the march that they needed a permit issued by Police in consultation with the Fiji Roads Authority and the relevant municipal council.