The anti-gay Methodist Church in Fiji could face a human rights prosecution if it holds another protest march against homosexuality. The Fiji Human Rights Commission director, Dr Shaista Shameem, is reported as saying saying freedom of expression and assembly have their limitations. Dr Shameem says when expressing views through marches or assemblies, the first march or assembly counts as freedom of expression, but if there is a second or third march, it would be seen as encouraging discrimination or even be considered ‘hate speech.' The Methodist Church has already held a march against homosexuality, with the general secretary of the Methodist Church explaining that the church is not discriminating against Fijian homosexuals but trying to save them from sin. Meanwhile the Church has announced it will put off any further march untill it has met with the gay director of the Fiji Minorities Project.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Tuesday, 8th November 2005 - 12:00pm