Politics of Fiji Politics of Fiji * Former Parliamentarian Timoci Silatolu, currently serving a life-sentence for his role in the coup, said at a court appearance on 8 July that he was in favour of the bill, and was seeking permission from prison authorities to deliver a submission to Parliament's Justice, Law and Order committee, which is looking into the legislation. "I believe the Bill is within the ambits of the Constitution and I fully support it," Silatolu said. ...more on Wikipedia about "Blue Ribbon campaign (Fiji)"
Fiji's British colonial rulers established the office of Chief Minister in October 1967, along with the Cabinet system of government. This was part of an ongoing move to forge modern political institutions to prepare Fiji for independence, which was granted on 10 November 1970. ...more on Wikipedia about "Chief Minister (Fiji)"
Communal constituencies have been the most durable feature of the Fijian electoral system. In communal constituencies, electors enrolled as ethnic Fijians, Indo-Fijians, Rotuman Islanders, or General Electors (Europeans, Chinese, Banaba Islanders, and others) vote for a candidate of their own respective ethnic groups, in constituencies that have been reserved by ethnicity. Other methods of choosing parliamentarians have come and gone, but this feature has been a constant. ...more on Wikipedia about "Communal constituencies (Fiji)"
The Council of Rotuma is a municipal body on the island of Rotuma, a Fijian dependency. Owing to the unique character of Rotuma, the powers of this council are greater than those of other municipal bodies in Fiji and in some ways it approximates a legislative body, though it is in every way subordinate to the Parliament. ...more on Wikipedia about "Council of Rotuma"
It was announced on 25 November that the court martial had been postponed until further notice. The decision was made pending a Military application to have Judge Advocate Leung commissioned as an army officer, a necessity for the case to proceed, according to Army Legal Services Director Major Kitione Tuinaosara. The application was made to President Iloilo. Another application by defence lawyer Barbara Malimali, concerning the conditions of the soldiers' imprisonment, was also a factor, Tuinaosara said. "They are being held as civilians although they allegedly committed the offences when they were soldiers so the applications are on things like their rest conditions while in detention, among other things," Malimali's application stated. ...more on Wikipedia about "Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit Court Martial, Fiji"
Fiji maintains direct diplomatic or consular relations with countries with historical, culrural, or trading ties to Fiji; Ambassadors stationed in such countries are often accredited to neighbouring countries. Fiji maintains embassies in Belgium (taking care of Fiji's relations with the entire European Union), China, Japan, and the United States; and High Commissions in Australia, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand (in keeping with the Commonwealth practice of calling missions in fellow-commonwealth countries High Commissions rather than Embassies). In addition to its High Commission in Canberra, Fiji has a Consulate in Sydney, Australia. Fiji also has a Permanent Mission to the United Nations. ...more on Wikipedia about "Diplomatic relations of Fiji"
The Embassy of Fiji to Belgium is responsible for Fiji's diplomatic relations with the Belgium. Established in July 1973, it doubles as Fiji's Mission to the European Union. The Ambassador to Belgium, currently Ratu Seremaia Tui Cavuilati, also holds the title of Head of Mission to the European Union. He is assisted by two Counsellors ( Tupou Raturaga and Nidhendra Singh, who is responsible for agriculture and trade) and by Miss Y. Chan, the Second Secretary. In addition, there are two supporting staff. ...more on Wikipedia about "Embassy of Fiji to Belgium" The view on shortopedia. shortopedia
The Fiji Mission to the European Union is responsible for Fiji's diplomatic relations with the European Union and with all member countries, except those with which Fiji maintains specific diplomatic relations, such as the United Kingdom. ...more on Wikipedia about "Fiji Mission to the European Union"
The Fiji Permanent Mission to the United Nations represents Fiji's interests in the international organization. It was established on 13 October 1970, three days after Fiji gained its independence from the United Kingdom. The Mission is headed by an Ambassador, who also has the title of Permanent Representative, currently Isikia Savua. He is assisted by the Deputy Permanent Representative (DPR), Filimone Kau, by First Secretary and Legal Officer Sainivalati Navoti, and by Second Secretary and Administrative Officer Simione Rokolaqa. In addition, there are four permanent staff members. ...more on Wikipedia about "Fiji Mission to the United Nations"
Fiji Week was a week of prayer meetings and multicultural programmes that took place the week of the fourth through the eleventh of October, 2004. Organized at a cost of US$410,000 by a multiracial national committee chaired by the Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, Fiji Week was intended to foster reconciliation among Fiji's diverse ethnic communities, especially native Fijians and Indo-Fijians, whose mutual rivalry for political power has dominated Fijian politics for the last generation, and whose relationship has been especially strained since the overthrow of the Indo-Fijian-led government of Mahendra Chaudhry by ethnic Fijian nationalists in the Fiji coup of 2000. Organizers of Fiji Week hoped that it would help to bring about a sense of closure to those events, but the controversy that it generated made this appear difficult to achieve. ...more on Wikipedia about "Fiji Week, 2004"
Fiji Week celebrations commenced on 7 October 2005, and culminated with Fiji Day on 10 October, the 35th anniversary of Fiji's independence from British colonial rule. The official program focused on forgiveness and unity. It culminated with a day of prayer and fasting on Fiji Day. Schools, towns, and villages featured religious and cultural programs, with major celebrations Suva, Lautoka, and Labasa. The festivities were organized by the Ministry of National Reconciliation and Unity, with the assistance of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration. ...more on Wikipedia about "Fiji Week, 2005"
Prior to 1999 the first past the post system of voting was used in all elections. The new constitution agreed to in 1997- 1998 established instant run-off voting, known in Fiji as the alternative vote, allowing votes to be transferred from a low-polling candidate to other candidates, according to an order prescribed by the candidate, which may be customized by the elector. ...more on Wikipedia about "Fijian electoral system"
Noah Musingku, who calls himself "King David Peii II" of " Papala", spoke publicly on 22 November. His official newspaper, the Papala Chronicles, reported that ten more Fijian soldiers were expected to arrive in Bougainville soon, with more than 35 expected by the end of November 2005. The Papala Chronicles identified the Ronin Company as a source of the men, along with members of a private telecommunications company, who would be employed to install all telecommunication systems in Tonu, the headquarters of the "kingdom" of Papala, and eventually throughout Bougainville. On 23 November, the Fiji Live news service reported that 30 men, most or all of whom were believed to be unemployed, had begun seeking a medical clearance to travel to Bougainville, and that a further 300 were expected later on, having been lured with promises of F$1 million each. ...more on Wikipedia about "Fijian mercenaries in Bougainville, 2005"
On 10 June 2005, Foreign Minister Tavola signed a Memorandum of Understanding with his New Zealand counterpart, Phil Goff, aimed at fostering cooperation in the fight against terrorism. Meanwhile, New Zealand's Prime Minister Helen Clark announced that New Zealand would double its annual aid to Fiji, from NZ$4 million to NZ$8 million. Much of this aid, the Fijian government revealed, would be used for poverty alleviation and squatter resettlement. ...more on Wikipedia about "Foreign relations of Fiji"
www.shortopedia.com, just the best.
"General Electors" is the term used in Fiji to identify citizens of voting age who belong, in most cases, to ethnic minorities. The Constitution defines General Electors as all Fijian citizens who are not registered as being of Fijian, Indian, or Rotuman descent. Also included are citizens who do qualify for registration in the above categories, but who choose not to be. Persons of biracial or multiracial ancestry may opt to enroll either as General Electors, or as descendants of any the other three groups to which they have an ancestral claim. General Electors are thus a diverse electorate, whose members include Europeans, Chinese, Banaban Islanders, and many smaller groups. They are currently allocated 3 seats in the House of Representatives, the lower and more influential house of the Fijian Parliament. ...more on Wikipedia about "General Electors (Fiji)"
The Great Council of Chiefs (Bose Levu Vakaturaga in Fijian) is a constitutional body in the Republic of the Fiji Islands. It is not to be confused with the House of Chiefs, a larger body which includes all hereditary chiefs, although membership of the two bodies overlaps to a considerable extent. The Great Council of Chiefs is established under Section 116 of the 1997 Constitution, but it actually predates the Constitution by many years, having been established by the British colonial rulers as an advisory body in 1876, two years after Fiji was ceded to the United Kingdom. The Constitution merely formalizes and codifies functions that the Council had long performed. It has continued in existence without interruption, although its composition and functions have varied over the years. The Council is currently chaired by Ratu Ovini Bokini, with Ratu Sakiusa Makutu as his Deputy. ...more on Wikipedia about "Great Council of Chiefs (Fiji)"
The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of Fiji's Parliament. It is the more powerful of the two chambers; it alone has the power to initiate legislation (the Senate, by contrast, can amend or veto most legislation, but cannot initiate it). The House of Representatives also has much greater jurisdiction over financial bills; the Senate cannot amend them, although it may veto them. Except in the case of amendments to the Constitution, over which a veto of the Senate is absolute, the House of Representatives may override a Senatorial veto by passing the same bill a second time, in the parliamentary session immediately following the one in which it was rejected by the Senate, after a minimum period of six months. ...more on Wikipedia about "House of Representatives (Fiji)"
Qarase's visit, the first by a Fijian Prime Minister since Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara in 1971, generated some controversy. The Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), a United States-based non-profit organization with offices in many countries, called on Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to withdraw the invitation to Qarase. Qarase's visit could be viewed as a slap in the face for the Indian community, the organization said, in view of the policies he has implemented since his appointment in the wake of the Indo-Fijian-led government of Mahendra Chaudhry in 2000. "Ever since he assumed the position of PM and Interim PM before that, (after the 2000 coup), Mr Qarase has been engaged in actions of racial discrimination and has shown minimal tolerance to the Indian community," a GOPIO statement said. The election scheduled for 2006 was likely to favour Indo-Fijian parties and the Indian government should not undermine their chances, the organization considered. GOPIO president Dr Thomas Abraham urged to Indian government to withdraw its offer of technical and economic assistance unless the Fijian government withdrew its controversial Unity Bill and reversed its exclusion of the Indo-Fijian dominated Fiji Labour Party from the Cabinet. GOPIO said that Qarase could use the visit to score a public relations coup with the Indo-Fijian community, and that the government of India should not be seen to be condoning or granting legitimacy to his government's actions. ...more on Wikipedia about "India-Fiji relations"
The post of Leader of the Opposition is a political office common in countries that are part of the Commonwealth of Nations. It did not originate in Fiji but has a long tradition; in British constitutional theory, the Leader of the Opposition must pose a formal alternative to the government, ready to form a government himself should the Prime Minister lose the confidence of the House of Representatives. In addition, the Leader of the Opposition chooses 8 of the 32 members of the Senate, Fiji's upper house of Parliament, and has the right to be consulted about the appointment of the Chief Justice. ...more on Wikipedia about "Leader of the Opposition (Fiji)"
The Fijian Legislative Council was the colonial precursor to the present-day Parliament, which came into existence when Fiji became independent on 10 October 1970. ...more on Wikipedia about "Legislative Council (Fiji)"
The Great Council of Chiefs (Bose Levu Vakaturaga in Fijian) is a formal assembly of Fiji's senior hereditary chiefs, along with some representatives of the national government and provincial councils, who may or may not be hereditary chiefs themselves. It also has a constitutional role in functioning as an electoral college to choose the President of the Republic, as well as 14 of the 32 Senators. ...more on Wikipedia about "List of Chairmen of the Great Council of Chiefs (Fiji)"
Note that Cakobau had been the Vunivalu (Warlord/Paramount Chief) of Bau since 1852. He had long styled himself the Tui Viti (King of Fiji), but had not been recognized as such by other chiefs, and he exercised no direct authority outside his domain of Bau until he united the country under his leadership in 1871. His ancestors, going back as far as 1770, have often - erroneously - been listed as "Kings" of Fiji. ...more on Wikipedia about "List of Fijian Heads of State"
Fiji was a British Crown Colony from 1874 to 1970, and an independent dominion in the British Commonwealth from 1970 to 1987. During this period, the Head of State was the British Monarch, but in practice his or her functions were normally exercised locally by the Governor prior to independence (on 10 October 1970), and by the Governor-General prior to the proclamation of a republic on 7 October 1987. ...more on Wikipedia about "List of Governors of Fiji"
Fiji became a British Crown Colony in 1874, and an independent dominion in the British Commonwealth in 1970. Queen Elizabeth II remained the Head of State until 1987, when she formally abdicated following two military coups. From 1874 to 1987 the Monarch's functions were exercised in Fiji by his or her representative, the Governor (up to 1970), and, following independence, by the Governor-General. ...more on Wikipedia about "List of Governors-General of Fiji"
In 1871, Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau, the Vunivalu (Warlord/Paramount Chief) of Bau, succeeded in unifying the previously warring tribes throughout the Fiji Islands by establishing the Kingdom of Viti, with the support of foreigners. Cakobau proceeded to set up a constitutional monarchy, in which both the legislature and the executive were dominated by foreigners. ...more on Wikipedia about "List of Premiers of the Kingdom of Viti"
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the Wikipedia . Direct links to the original articles are in the text.
If you use exact copy or modified of this article you should preserve above paragraph and put also : It uses material from
the Shortopedia article about "Politics of Fiji".
| MAIN PAGE | MAIN INDEX | CONTACT US |