It is sad to see that neither the interim administration nor other responsible bodies such as the GCC, NLTB or FAB are uttering a single word on the ills of racism and corruption in Fiji.

Silent approvals from such organizations are amongst the main reasons behind the existence of racism and its institutionalization in our country.

Racism is learned, it is not something people are born with and it is obvious that useless and selfish leaders are openly promoting it in Fiji.

The people of Fiji have been relegated to live in a class society based on exploitation and oppression of the majority by a minority, which is made up of big business and the chiefly class.

Failed leaders are using the old tactic of divide and rule and do not hesitate to use racism and other prejudices to justify their hold on power.

Institutional racism is all over our country.

The Chief justice tried to prevent the cause of justice by sticking his nose into matters beyond his jurisdiction. It is the DPP's office, which has continuously failed to successfully prosecute suspects for mutiny related crimes, which fell short of murder. It is NLTB, which is providing silent-approval to the unlawful and cruel eviction of farmers, and the list just goes on.

Despite all this, the interim administration is refusing to acknowledge the existence of institutional racism or to tackle the problem; in fact, they seem to be consciously promoting racism through designing new Bills to legalize racist activities.

Lies about "land threats" have already caused hundreds of farmers and tenants to be evicted from their generational homes.

The question, which comes to ones mind is, how far is Fiji from the first racist murder?

All apologies, constitution reviews and reconciliation efforts will not repair the damage to trust, tolerance and confidence inflicted amongst our people, nor will it bring any of the potential victims back.

Fiji needs to build an anti-racist movement to challenge institutional racism and the system that promotes it. The GCC, NLTB, police, military, our judicial system and all other bodies must be made accountable for their irresponsible activities, which promote racism in Fiji.

Under the current system we live in, the police and courts are used to protect only the rich and traditionally powerful while the majority of the population, suffer.

The best way of removing such institutional racism is to change the way our society is organized, taking its resources and using them for the needs of all, not just for the profit of the chosen few.

A society, which democratically plans and produces what is needed, would not need racism or any other prejudice to defend or justify its rule.

Swadesh B Singh
Nadi