A member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has called for a united national effort to confront racism and strengthen social cohesion, saying the fight against discrimination requires courage, accountability, and honest dialogue.
Speaking during the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination organised by Dialogue Fiji in Suva on Friday, commission member Sekove Naqiolevu stressed that eliminating racism is a responsibility shared by the entire society.
“Today reminds us that eliminating racial discrimination is not a one-day or one-person effort — it is an ongoing commitment that requires a whole-of-society effort,” Mr Naqiolevu said.
“That to root out the seeds of division and discrimination from our society, all of us must work together in calling out societal misdeeds, challenging prejudice in all its forms, and holding ourselves and each other accountable for the words we speak and the actions we take.”
He added that confronting discrimination required rejecting silence and complacency and taking a principled stand for fairness and respect.
“It requires us to move beyond silence and complacency and instead choose courage-to stand up for fairness, to defend the dignity of others, and to actively build bridges where there may be division. This must be our ongoing commitment-to listen more deeply, to understand more honestly, and to act more courageously in how we treat one another.”
Mr Naqiolevu said social cohesion was central to combating racism.
“Social cohesion is not simply about coexistence. It is about connection. It is about building trust across communities, fostering mutual respect, and ensuring that every person feels they belong-regardless of their background.”
