FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Sinaitakala Tamale, Suva

According to Fiji’s Constitution, in Chapter 2; Section 17-(1) “Every person has the right to freedom of speech, expression, thought, opinion and publication.”

The issue about this right, is that some individuals are being held against their rights to freely express their opinions in speech and expression.

It is a very well-known issue that occurs in many places. This happens to everyone in certain situations.

It happens to partners in relationships, people with disabilities, well-known people in the society or community and to employees at work.

In these types of situation, people are less confident and hesitant in voicing and expressing their expressions and speech in public and among their own families.

A majority of the people affected are women and children. Some women are involved in a relationship with their partner and their partner has total control of their relationship.

Such situations could lead to domestic violence against women, including females of the families.

Some parents decide their life partners for their children in an arrangement.

Especially, when the families are driven by traditions and culture. For example, the head of the family’s words are considered as the law in the family. Therefore, it is recommended for people to learn of their rights as individuals in their country or in any foreign country they have migrated to. Also, for law officers to pay more attention to reports made regarding this issue.

As people with individual rights granted, we should all be aware of our rights granted by the Constitution.

Being aware is the key to knowledge of what action a person could take to address a matter at hand. Be aware.