The Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission (HRADC) says sacrilege is not only morally wrong but carry serious legal consequences under the law.
In a statement, commission director Loukinikini Lewaravu condemned all acts of sacrilege in Fiji saying it is a criminal offence under Section 305 of the Crimes Act 2009, which carries a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment.
“The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission strongly condemns all acts of sacrilege targeting places of worship, regardless of faith, denomination, or religious belief,” Ms Lewaravu said.
She described such acts as “a grave violation of the right to freedom of religion and belief, and an assault on human dignity”.
Ms Lewaravu said beyond the criminal implications, desecrating places of worship undermines community identity, spiritual life, and social cohesion, and violates core rights protected in Section 22 of Fiji’s Constitution, as well as Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Fiji is a party.
“Places of worship are sacred and must be protected as spaces of peace, reflection, and community.
“Any desecration of such spaces is an affront to our shared values of tolerance, respect, and multiculturalism, and poses a direct threat to social cohesion in Fiji.”
She urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the recent incident and ensure those responsible are held accountable under the law.
