Immigration expert

HOW lucky are we! Fiji Human Rights and AntiDiscrimination Commission (FHRADC) director Ashwin Raj has suddenly become an expert on Fiji Immigration, at least when it comes to matters pertaining to the late Prof Brij Lal, and in his own mind. (FT 01/01)

He talks in such vague terms: “as the records show”(x2) and “forfeit certain rights”, blah blah blah.

Furthermore, it sounds to me as the FHRADC director he must have exclusive access to the immigration records of Prof Brij Lal. What a privileged position he must hold, or at least in his own mind.

Before I became a Fijian, I built up quite a file in that hallowed place and even I wasn’t allowed access to it.

On his detailed knowledge of immigration, he thinks that if, and as in the case of Prof Brij Lal, one’s Fiji passport expires, the holder ceases to become a Fijian. If one is born in Fiji, as was the case of Prof Brij Lal, or become a Fijian through registration or naturalisation according to the Fiji Constitution 5 (3), no-one can take the status of being a Fijian away, passport or sans passport.

There are many Fijians who, for one reason or another, do not have a passport or may have permitted their passport to expire. They are not expelled. I’m not familiar with any section in either the Fiji Immigration Act 2003 or the Fiji Constitution, the latter of which one would hope the director might have some knowledge, where it refers to reasons for expulsion of Fijians from Fiji.

It is best, with all due respect, such jungly, backyard experts keep their notions to themselves, confined to the compounds of their minds. “A person might be an expert in any field of knowledge or a master of many material skills and accomplishments. But without inner cleanliness his brain is a desert waste.” – Sathya Sai Baba. JULIE SUTHERLAND Tamavua