Ratu Inoke Reaffirms Government's Stand Against Sacrilege
The Minister for Defence and National Security, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, yesterday was asked a question in Parliament regarding the current number of sacrilege cases and the progress on their investigation.
Below are excerpts of the question and answer.
WRITTEN QUESTION: Wednesday March 7, 2018 Question 20/2018
Hon. Mosese Bulitavu to ask the Minister for Defence and National Security – Can the Minister inform this House how many places of worship were attacked since the last sitting of this House in September 2017 and what is the status of the investigation in respect of each of those reported attacks.
Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, Minister for Defence and National Security Answer: Madam Speaker,
Since the last sitting of this House in September 2017 to February 2018, the Fiji Police Force has recorded and registered a total of 14 cases of sacrilege.
Out of these, three cases are being dealt with in Court while investigations are continuing with the other 11 cases. Madam Speaker, the Fiji Police Force has a dedicated taskforce and are working round the clock investigating these cases of sacrilege and as a result arrests have been made. Madam Speaker, My Ministry can assure every Fijian that the Fiji Police Force will not end their investigations with just those carrying out these attacks and will get anyone who has either benefitted from this crime or has in anyway assisted those perpetrators.
The Fiji Police has a duty to protect life and property as no Fijian should feel intimidated or threatened for practicing any religion within any community. Note: According to Police investigations, break-ins into places of worship are simply motivated by the need for money. Most neighbourhood youths have observed that money is the major item of value that is kept at places of worship and this motivates perpetrators to break-in at these places.