LEGAL FRAMEWORK

The constitution establishes a secular state and protects freedom of religion, conscience, and belief. The government may limit these rights by law to protect the freedoms of others or for reasons of public safety, order, morality, health, or nuisance. The constitution mandates separation of religion and state. Citizens have the right, either individually or collectively, in public and private, to manifest their religion or beliefs in worship, observance, practice, or teaching. The constitution prohibits discrimination based on religious affiliation, and laws make inciting hatred or “disaffection” against religious groups a criminal offense. The constitution provides that individuals may not assert religious belief as a reason for disobeying the law. The constitution places limits on proselytizing on government premises and at government functions. Sacrilege is outlawed and is defined as committing any crime within a place of worship after breaking and entering or before exiting with force, or intentionally committing any act of disrespect in a place of worship. Penalties include up to 14 years in prison.

By law, religious groups must register with the government through trustees, who may then hold land or property for the groups. To register, religious bodies must submit applications to the registrar of titles office. Applications must include the names and identification of the trustees signed by the head of the religious body seeking registration, a copy of the constitution of the proposed religious body, title documents for the land used by the religious body, and a registration fee of 2.30 Fiji dollars ($1.00). Registered religious bodies receive exemption from taxes after approval from the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service, on the condition they operate in a nonprofit and noncompetitive capacity. By law, religious bodies that hold title to land or property must register their houses of worship, including their land, and show proof of title. The law does not address conditions for religious organizations that do not hold title to land.

Permits are required for any public meeting on public property organized by religious groups, except for regular religious services in houses of worship.

There is no required religious instruction for children or youth. Private or religious groups sometimes own or manage school properties, but the Ministry of Education administers and regulates the curriculum. Religious groups have the right to establish, maintain, and manage places of education, whether or not they receive financial assistance from the state, provided the institution maintains educational standards. The law permits noncompulsory religious instruction in all schools, enabling schools owned and operated by various religious denominations but receiving government support to offer religious instruction. Schools may incorporate religious elements, such as class prayer, if they do not require teachers to participate, and students may be excused if their parents request it. The government provides funding and education assistance to public schools, as well as schools owned and operated by religious organizations, on a per-pupil basis. The law states that schools must remain open to all students, regardless of religious or ethnic origin. According to the law, the government ensures free tuition for primary and secondary schools.

The country is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

GOVERNMENT PRACTICES

In September, authorities issued a deportation order for several members of the Grace Road Church, a South Korean religious group with more than 400 followers. The group first moved to Fiji in 2014, stating it would be safe there from an imminent apocalypse. The Republic of Korea and Interpol issued an international arrest warrant for the church members in 2018. They were initially arrested by a joint Korean and Fijian force in 2018, but were released shortly after, and their lawyers sought an interim stay on possible deportation at the time. Through its business arm, the Grace Road Group, the church operated farms, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, beauty parlors, and a construction firm in Fiji. The church’s founder, Shin Ok-ju, was convicted of child abuse, false imprisonment, and assault, and imprisoned in the Republic of Korea in 2019 for holding hundreds of followers captive in Fiji and subjecting them to violence.

In September, media outlets reported that the chair of Fiji’s Human Rights and Antidiscrimination Commission said members of the Grace Road Church who faced deportation must be given the right to challenge their detention and deportation. The commission had received a complaint from members of the church related to the way some of its members were taken into custody by government officials. The complaint stated that authorities used force during detention, denied Church members access to a lawyer while detained at the Suva Remand Center, labeled the church as a cult, and stated that one member was denied a visa to re-enter Fiji.

According to local media, the recent move against the church signified a change in attitude toward the group’s leaders under Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who won election in December 2022. In September, local media reported that Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua received a petition from Grace Road Group employees. In response, Tikoduadua said the government had nothing against the group, but that this matter was between the government of the Republic of Korea and the individuals it identified as fugitives, and the Fiji government had obligations based on its relationship with other governments. Describing Grace Road as a “cult,” Tikoduadua criticized the previous administration of Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama for ignoring outstanding Interpol notices for the arrests of the Grace Road members.

On October 5, authorities warned citizens about alleged scams and fraudulent activities related to the Kingdom Embassy Church and its requests for money in exchange for sessions with a preacher and church cofounder from abroad, who visited the country for a two-day “Fiji Healing and Deliverance” conference. The preacher operated the Kingdom Embassy Church with her husband and the church cofounder.

During the year, police discontinued an investigation into a 2021 case in which a Christian pastor was accused of sacrilege involving a sacred Hindu object.

The Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, and Seventh-day Adventist Churches, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Hindu and Muslim groups operated numerous schools, including secondary schools, that were eligible for government subsidies based on the size of their student population.

In February, media outlets reported that the parliamentary business committee waived Standing Orders 28, 29, and 30, allowing members of parliament to pray in their own faith.

In October, media outlets reported that Minister for Land and Mineral Resources Filimoni Vosarogo said in a keynote address at a birthday celebration for the Prophet Muhammad in Labasa that the government would respect religious freedom. He also encouraged religious tolerance and appreciation for each individual’s choices regarding worship.