02/07/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 2, 2026
OCEANIA PRIDE DELIVERS POWERFUL ORAL SUBMISSION TO FIJI’SCONSTITUTION REVIEW COMMISSION, URGING PROTECTION AND EXPANSION OF EQUALITY RIGHTS
SUVA, FIJI–Today, Oceania Pride, representing the Rainbow Fiji Coalition, presented a strong oral submission before the Constitution Review Commission (CRC). They urged the Commission to keep and strengthen the human rights protections included in Fiji’s 2013 Constitution. The submission pointed out the serious and ongoing discrimination, violence, and exclusion faced by Fijians with diverse s*xual orientations, gender identities, expressions, and s*x characteristics (SOGIESC).
The Coalition's submission was clear: the Constitution's guarantee of equality must remain a living document that protects all citizens, not just a symbolic statement. They presented data from various studies, including ones by DIVA for Equality and the Pacific S*xual and Gender Diversity Network (PSGDN). Oceania Pride showed the harsh realities for le***an, bis*xual, transgender, and inters*x communities in Fiji.
“Rights that exist only on paper represent an incomplete justice,” Jasmine, the Founder and Co-Lead of Oceania Pride, stated. The presentation noted that 84% of LBT women and gender non-conforming people have faced physical or s*xual violence from an intimate partner. Additionally, 56% of transgender individuals reported experiencing physical or s*xual assault. Most survivors choose not to report these crimes due to a deep lack of faith in the justice system and fear of retaliation. The submission also mentioned that 62% of LBT women are unemployed, a result of systemic discrimination that starts in schools and continues into the workplace.
In its formal recommendations, Oceania Pride called for the Commission to:
1. Keep Section 26(3)(a) in full to protectagainst discrimination based on gender and s*xual orientation.
2. Include s*x characteristic in Section 26(3) to protect inters*x individuals from non-consensual medical procedures and discrimination.
3. Modify the General Limitation Clause (Section 6(5)) to require adherence to what is reasonable and justifiable in an open and democratic society based on human dignity, equality, and freedom.
4. Preserve Section 4 (Secular State) to protect religious freedom for all and prevent the misuse of religion against minorities.
5. Keep Section 41 (Children’s Rights) to protect all children from abuse and harmful practices.
The Coalition strongly opposed proposals to remove or weaken existing protections. They argued such actions would not reflect our Fijian culture or be a sign of progress and social cohesion but would mark a backward step. “Diverse gender identities are deeply rooted in Fiji’s pre-colonial traditions.It is colonial-era laws and imported prejudices that criminalised q***r existence,” said Jasmine.
“Fiji has ratified all nine-core international human rights treaties. These treaties legally require the State to guarantee equality and non-discrimination without distinction of any kind. Fiji's Constitution must align with its binding obligations under international law,” said Abdul Shaheed, Co-Lead Oceania Pride.
The submission also rejected attempts to repeal the Secular State provision, stressing that secularism ensures the State treats its citizens equally, regardless of their beliefs and religions.
Oceania Pride stated that keeping and strengthening constitutional protections for all Fijians is not just about social justice; it is also an important economic strategy. Roshika Deo, Oceania Pride Board Chair, says “When we don’t take concerted effortsto include all
our people in all their diversities, we are limiting the growth of our economy and society. We are missing out on talent and leadership. It is important to remember that a nation that empowers all its people to participate economically, politically and socially is a nation that grows; where communities become resilient and opportunities are many.
The Coalition reaffirmed its commitment to a unified Fiji where every citizen, regardless
of identity, can live with dignity and equality.
Vinaka and Dhanbaad
ENDS
Media Contact:
Abdul Shaheed Co-Lead
[email protected]
