A call has been made to push for the declaration of the Syria shipwreck site near Nasilai Village as a National Heritage Site.
Rahul Chand, who is the Protected & Conserved Areas Coordinator at IUCN Oceania, has written in his personal capacity to the Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Charan Jeath Singh.
“I write to you as a proud descendant of the Girmitiyas, deeply moved and encouraged by your Ministry’s commitment to honour the legacy of our forebears,” said Mr Chand.
“Your leadership in ensuring this legacy remains alive is appreciated by many families like mine, whose roots are tied to this profound chapter in Fiji’s history.”
“I request your urgent consideration for and to further pursue its recognition under UNESCO as a site of global historical and cultural importance.”
“The tragic wreck of Syria on 11 May 1884, resulting in the deaths of over 50 indentured labourers, is a defining moment in the history of the Girmit system.”
“It symbolizes both the suffering of our ancestors and the compassion of the Fijian people of Nasilai, who saved many lives.”
Mr Chand said the site remains unprotected and largely unknown to younger generations.
“Declaring the Syria site as a National Heritage Site would enable the Government to pursue its global recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with potential support from international partners such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).”
Mr Chand added by doing so the Government of Fiji would honour the memory and sacrifices of the Girmitiyas, preserve this site for education, reflection, and inter-generational learning, foster cultural tourism and community stewardship, and showcase Fiji’s role in a globally shared migration, labour, and resilience heritage.
I believe this initiative would be a significant act of remembrance if announced during the 2025 Girmit Commemoration, particularly on 11 May, which marks the Syria tragedy.
