CCF Calls On Govt To Respect Multiculturalism

CCF Calls On Government To Respect Multiculturalism And Diversity

Citizens’ Constitutional Forum (CCF) calls on the government not to declare one particular language as the national language for Fiji, as this would be detrimental to Fiji’s image as a multicultural nation with diverse identities.

Many countries in the world have several official languages, such as: Switzerland, Belgium, Bolivia, Burundi, Djibouti, Norway, Kenya and Ireland. These countries have a national identity, without having had the need for a national language.

“Although CCF supports the recent move by the government to name all Fiji citizens as ‘Fijians’, we maintain that the three languages – Fijian, English and Hindi – remain as national languages,” CCF Chief Executive Officer Reverend Akuila Yabaki said. “We call on the government to respect multiculturalism and diversity. Fiji needs to retain its identity as a multiracial nation with diverse groups and languages.”

“The Ministry of iTaukei Affairs should not impose the vernacular iTaukei as the national language for Fiji, as this would be insensitive to other ethnic groups who speak other languages as their mother tongue,” Rev Yabaki said.

“Having three national languages has been good for Fiji, as it has encouraged sharing of words and phrases, as well as music, arts, cultural and religious events from different racial groups,” Rev Yabaki said.

ENDS

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