'This age of globalisation is marked by the adoption of universal principles governing such matters as democracy, human rights, trade and development. Today, I reaffirm here that Fiji accepts these precepts. But we also say that countries like ours should not be held to unrealistic standards, we need time to evolve to adapt and to adhere. Do not judge us by what might be inappropriate at our stage of development.'
FijiDevelopmentGlobalizationHuman rightsSovereigntyStandards
The argument risks delaying necessary reforms under the guise of development needs.
'Labour will try to convince you that it is sympathetic to business. Don't believe such stories. The truth is that the party has a classic left-wing suspicion …
'For our country, it is vitally important, as a factor for long-standing stability, that we always maintain a careful balance between the rights of individuals…
'We all share the same vision for our children. It is one of the things that binds us together. Let this Summit give extra strength and purpose to the great ca…
Those who try to give us advice on matters of human rights do nothing but provoke an ironic smile among us. We will not permit anyone to interfere in our affai…
'As I have chosen Fiji, having been born and raised here, as my home, indigenous Fijian aspirations and in particular, the protection of their rights to determ…
...I would now say something, which I never said before ... It is the international convention, if it is not a law, that when independence is granted to a peop…