This is a plea to all concerned Fijians regarding the new bill which was passed in parliament by the Fiji government on 30th July, 2021.                                                                       We need to get 80,000 signatures to show the UN,The US government, NGO's in Fiji and other Human Rights group, that we are totally against this new law.  Bill 17 was a breach of our collective rights, it did not seek our approval nor did it consult us, the indigenous people of Fiji and how it would affect our rights as land and resource owners.

This new law has reduced indigenous property rights, it is in breach of indigenous Human Group Rights and it is a racist law. We say it is racist because it discriminates the indigenous people of Fiji. This new law will only increase distrust and animosity between indigenous people and other races as can be seen from comments expressed on social media like Facebook.                                                  Our native landowning units nor their independent representatives being the Land and Cultural Confederacies were never consulted and neither did they give their consent to the amendments known as section 12 of this new law. This section 12 now takes away the role of the Native Lands Trust Board to consult and intervene on behalf of the native land owners in matters relating to transfers of leases and  mortgages.                                                                                                                Bill 17 is also in breach of ILO 169 Convention such as article 7: 
" The peoples concerned shall have the right to decide their own priorities for the process of development as it affects their lives, beliefs, institutions and spiritual well-being and the lands they occupy or otherwise use, and to exercise control, to the extent possible, over their own economic, social and cultural development. In addition, they shall participate in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of plans and programmes for national and regional development which may affect them directly".                                                                                                           This new law is also also in violation of UNDRIP which says: "the Declaration "emphasizes the rights of Indigenous peoples to maintain and strengthen their own institutions, cultures and traditions, and to pursue their development in keeping with their own needs and aspirations."[4] It "prohibits discrimination against indigenous peoples," and it "promotes their full and effective participation in all matters that concern them and their right to remain distinct and to pursue their own visions of economic and social development"

We urge the organisations and institutions mentioned in this petition to look into the plights of our community leaders, and our members of the opposition party such as  Hon. Niko Nawaikula, Hon. Lynda Tabua, Hon. Biman Prasad and Hon. Pio Tikodudua, who have been continually harassed almost on a daily basis and interrogated  by police for expressing their views against Bill 17.

Wether you are registered or not, in the "Vola Ni Kawa Bula" or native registry  of indigenous people of Fiji, wether you are in Fiji or abroad, whatever political party you support, or religious group you belong to, if you really care as a true son and daughter of Fiji, if you have love and concern for your people, this is the time to come together as one to  sign and share this petition.                                             We call on  all decent, law-abiding and respectful indigenous people of Fiji wherever they may be, it is time to come forward now and unite as one! 

"ME BULA KO VITI KEI NA KENA I TAUKEI!"

Prepared by the California based 'Fiji Indigenous Peoples Foundation' (FIPF) as we look forward to celebrating World Indigenous Day on August 7, 2021.                                                                                                               

Vilisi Nadaku-Vice President Fiji Indigenous Peoples Foundation (FIPF)                    PO BOX 14688, 730 2nd St, Santa Rosa, CA 95404.                                              Phone: 1-707-721-5097.    Email: BhaiKhyhum@gmx.com                                  Facebook Page : https://www.facebook.com/groups/669122933196869 

California Sate NGO registration number: 379470