FIJI has been sorely tested in its quest for racial harmony, and while the country came close to the edge of a cliff, it did not fall.
Attorney-General Graham Leung shared this as a guest speaker at an International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination event held at the Vunimono Community Hall in Nausori yesterday.
Mr Leung said the journey to build greater racial harmony in Fiji was a work-in-progress.
“There are times when we have failed each other and failed ourselves as a nation,” he said.
“But we cannot undo the past.”
Recounting his own experiences as a child and the instances of racism he encountered, he said all Fijians must learn from their mistakes.
“In 1987, 2000, 2006 we experienced some racial incidents, and some of the worst riots in our history took place. Our country was sorely tested at times, and we came close to the edge of a cliff, but we did not fall.
“In large part, this was due to the goodwill of the majority of ordinary people in this country. We managed to largely preserve the social order and harmony for which we are known.
“However, these periods of lawbreaking and lawlessness set us back, caused damage to race relations, and eroded the trust between different communities.”
Mr Leung said he took immense pride in Fiji’s multicultural heritage and his story was not unique as many Fijians were descendants of people who came to this land and sought a better future, whether it was by choice or circumstance.
“Over generations, we have built a home together, iTaukei, Indo-Fijians, Rotumans, Banabans, Melanesians, part-Europeans, Europeans, Chinese, and other ethnic groups, each contributing to the rich tapestry of who we are,” he said.
“Ours is a land where cultures have not just co-existed but have influenced and shaped one another in ways that have made Fiji truly unique.”
