Legal framework on freedom of religion and actual application
In Fiji, religion is closely related to ethnicity. The majority of the population is made up of indigenous Fijians (iTaukei) who are mostly Christian, while Indo-Fijians, the second-largest ethnic group, are mainly Hindu with a large Muslim component. Around a third of Fiji’s population is Methodist.
Fiji is a secular state under the 2013 Constitution, which provides for the separation of state and religion (Section 4, 3) as well as freedom of religion, conscience, and belief (Section 4, 3). The Constitution prohibits discrimination based on religion and criminalises incitement of hatred, including on religious grounds (Section 17, 2, c, I, and Section 26, 3, a).
Although Fiji is a secular state and protects freedom of religion, all religious groups are required to register with the government.
Religious instruction is permitted in public educational institutions but is not compulsory. The government provides funding to both public and private religious schools.
Fiji is party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Incidents and developments
In July 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a national curfew was imposed and broad restrictions were enforced, especially targeting those who were unvaccinated. This led to the resignation of 10 unvaccinated ministers of the Christian Mission Fellowship (CMF) Church in September 2021.
In September 2021, a pastor in Wairabetia, Lautoka was accused of desecrating a Hindu idol. He claimed he had the consent of the family that owned the idol, but the Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha, a Hindu organisation, condemned the act as shameful and intolerable.
On 15th May 2022, Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe “Frank” Bainimarama stated that Fiji is blessed with many rich religious traditions, and that these traditions, in turn, celebrate the country’s vibrant cultural diversity. He spoke on the 120th anniversary of the Ram Leela festival, the country’s annual dramatic re-enactment of the life of the Hindu deity, Lord Rama. In his remarks, the Prime Minister honoured the struggles of the Girmitiyas, indentured labourers from British India who were transported to work on plantations in Fiji, Mauritius, and elsewhere, and who were not given political representation when Fiji first gained independence. He praised their contributions to Fijian society and noted that they should be proud of their achievements.
On 27th May 2022, Fiji joined the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), a multilateral arrangement developed by the United States to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region and its potential effect on Human Rights protection. Fiji’s participation was seen as an indication that developing countries would play a significant role in the framework. Australia joined the United States in pledging to support and partner with Fiji and other Pacific Islands.
Prospects for freedom of religion
No major violations of religious freedom were reported during this period. The Fijian government and Fijian society largely respect and uphold freedom of religion, and there is no indication that this will change in the foreseeable future.
Fiji