The Constitution (Amendment) Act 1997, which came into effect on 27 July 1998, replaced the 1990 constitution that discriminated against ethnic Indian Fijians (AI 22 July 1998; The Toronto Star 31 May 2000; Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 1999 Sept. 1999). Passage of the new constitution, which enshrined multiracial representation, resulted in Fiji's return to the Commonwealth and the restoration of full diplomatic relations with India (The Toronto Star 31 May 2000; AI 22 July 1998).

Regarding relations between the native Fijian and ethnic Indian Fijian communities, the U.S. Department of State Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 1999 states the following:

In general there are amicable relations between the religious communities. However, the largest societal divide in the country remains ethnic, not religious, between the ethnic Fijian and Indo-Fijian communities.

A small number of incidents involving the burning and desecration of Hindu temples occurred in past years. The police made arrests in a number of cases and continued to investigate a few incidents of desecration of Hindu temples in 1997. As of June 30, 1999, the cases are still under investigation and have not been brought to trial.

The Muslim Indo-Fijian community, which is a minority within the Indo-Fijian community, at times has indicated that it is neglected and discriminated against by the predominantly Hindu Indian community (Sept. 1999).

According to a 22 October 1996 IPS report, the militant Taukei movement, a group of native Fijians associated with much of the anti-Indian violence at the time of the 1987 coup, by the mid-1990s had adopted a more conciliatory stance toward ethnic Indian Fijians.

However, on 19 May 2000 George Speight, a disgruntled businessmen who claims to represent native Fijians, seized control of Fiji's democratically elected government (The Hindustan Times 31 May 2000; The Toronto Star 31 May 2000; AP 3 June 2000; The Atlanta Journal and Constitution 8 June 2000). Several days after the coup the military took charge, declared martial law and resurrected the 1990 constitution that prevented Indo-Fijians from holding political office (AP 3 June 2000; The Toronto Star 31 May 2000). In a 3 June 2000 AP report Speight is quoted as telling reporters "we don't want Fijians fighting Fijians [because] our common enemy is the Indians." Although many ethnic Fijians support the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, an ethnic Indian, and condemn Speight's views, others resent the political and economic influence of the Indian community and support Speight (ibid.; The Hindustan Times 31 May 2000; The Toronto Star 31 May 2000).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Amnesty International. 22 July 1998. Fiji: New Era for Human Rights with New Constitution. (ASA 18/01/98). http://www.amnesty.org/news/1998/31800198.htm [Accessed 13 June 2000]

Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 1999. September 1999. "Fiji." http://www.state.gov/www/global/human_rights/irf/irf_rpt/1999/irf_fiji99.html [Accessed 13 June 2000]

The Associated Press (AP). 3 June 2000. Rohan Sullivan. "Rebels holding more than 30 hostages in parliament...." (NEXIS)

The Atlanta Journal and Constitution. 8 June 2000. Don Melvin. "Political Storms Haunt South Pacific: Fiji and the Solomons Prove that Ethnic Hatred and Armed Insurrection Can Exist Even in the Most Delightful Surroundings." (NEXIS)

The Hindustan Times [New Delhi]. 31 May 2000. "High Commissioner Fears More Violence Against Fiji Indians." http://www2.hindustantimes.com/ht/nonfram/310500/detexc01.htm [Accessed 13 June 2000]

Inter Press Service (IPS). 22 October 1996. Kalinga Seneviratne. "Fiji: Now Rabuka Backs Review of Racially Unbalanced Constitution." (NEXIS)

The Toronto Star. 31 May 2000. "Fiji's Intolerable Clue." (NEXIS)

Amnesty International country file.

Country Report on International Religious Freedom for 1999. September 1999.

IRB databases.

LEXIS-NEXIS.

Pacific Islands Monthly [Suva].

Research Directorate Fiji country file.

World News Connection (WNC).

Internet sites including:

Derechos Human Rights.

Fiji Live.

Fiji Times.

Fiji Village News.

The Hindu [Chennai].

Hinduism Today.

Hindunet.org.

The Hindustan Times [New Delhi].

Human Rights Internet (HRI).

Minorities at Risk Project.

Minority Rights Group.

Pacific Development News. (UNDP Suva)

The Times of India [New Delhi].

Unrepresented Nations and People's Organization (UNPO).

Internet search engines:

AAA Matilda Fiji.

Dogpile.

Google.