ID Systems to be Built on Inclusivity: Govt Whip
Any identification system needs to be built on inclusivity, says Government whip Alvick Maharaj while delivering his end of week statement in Parliament on Friday.
Mr Maharaj spoke on the importance of maintaining proper identification records, especially with targeted assistance.
“Mr Speaker Sir, any identification system needs to be built on inclusivity. This includes ensuring that legal frameworks; requirements and procedures to register, obtain, or use identification; and the data that are collected and released do not enable or reinforce discrimination against any particular groups,” he said.
“This is why we are categorically opposed to the bureau’s publication of ethnic and religious statistics.
“Their actions threatened to reignite racial and religious tensions at a time when we absolutely must come together to overcome the current health and economic crises.”
He said the FijiFirst Government had worked tirelessly over the years to stamp out the remnants of Fiji’s racist, oppressive past and forge a common national identity.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to move the country beyond racial and ethnic division, and we cannot progress if we continue to cling to these irrelevant, archaic practices.
“There is no longer any room for that sort of thing in modern Fiji.”
He said an identification system should have a unique identity and no two people shall share the same identity.
“With the recent requirements as I’ve already mentioned for the use of birth certificate names, all Fijians will now use only one name for formal and legal purposes. This solidifies a distinct legal identity for each person.”