17 Jul 2004

Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs welcomes racial tolerance report

9:12 am on 17 July 2004

The chairman of Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs has welcomed a United Nations report which promotes racial and cultural tolerance as the way forward for Fiji.

Radio Fiji reports that Ratu Epeli was speaking at the launch of the Human Development Report 2004 whose theme is cultural diversity.

The report argues the case for a multiple identity concept where a Fiji national may have several identities.

Mr Epeli says it reinforces the need for Fiji's leaders to encourage and appreciate such multiple identities and thus enhance national unity and progress.

He says it's now up to national leaders to remove barriers which violate the rights of minority groups.