Blue Ribbon Campaign (Fiji)

Blue Ribbon Campaign (Fiji)

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History of Fiji
Early history
  • Discovery of Fiji
  • The rise and fall of Cakobau
  • Colonial Fiji
Modern history
  • Constitutional crisis of 1977
  • Coups of 1987
  • Military–church relations
Coup of 2000
  • Timeline
  • Mutinies
  • Aftermath
  • Mara deposed
  • Iloilo plot
  • Investigations
  • Trials
  • Court Martial
  • Military unrest
Reconciliation Commission
  • Supporters
  • Opponents
  • Qualified positions
  • Military opposition
  • Religious reaction
  • Foreign reaction
Crisis of 2005–2006
  • Timeline
  • Reaction
  • Baledrokadroka incident
Coup of 2006
  • 2009 Fijian constitutional crisis

The "Blue Ribbon campaign" was the name for the campaign promoting support for the controversial legislation introduced by the Fijian Government in 2005 to establish a Reconciliation and Unity Commission. The name specifically comes from the blue ribbons promoted by the ruling United Fiji Party as a sign of support for the bill. This campaign had the strong support of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, Attorney General Qoriniasi Bale, and other members of the ruling coalition and was warmly welcomed by imprisoned coup instigator George Speight. The proposed Commission was intended to have the power (subject to presidential approval) to grant compensation to victims, and amnesty to perpetrators, of the coup d'état which deposed the elected government in May 2000.

The following individuals and organizations have declared their support for the legislation.

Read more about Blue Ribbon Campaign (Fiji):  Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, Attorney-General Qoriniasi Bale, Other Politicians and Chiefs, Provincial Councils, The Great Council of Chiefs, Religious Organizations, Other Public Figures and Organizations

Famous quotes containing the words blue, ribbon and/or campaign:

    “The Reverend Samuel Peters ... exaggerated the Blue Laws, but they did include “Capital Lawes” providing a death penalty for any child over sixteen who was found guilty of cursing or striking his natural parents; a death penalty for an incorrigible son; a law forbidding smoking except in a room in a private house; another law declaring smoking illegal except on a journey five miles away from home,...”
    —Administration for the State of Con, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)

    “I’ll tell you how the Sun rose—
    A Ribbon at a time—”
    —Emily Dickinson (1830–1886)

    “The fact that a man is to vote forces him to think. You may preach to a congregation by the year and not affect its thought because it is not called upon for definite action. But throw your subject into a campaign and it becomes a challenge.”
    —John Jay Chapman (1862–1933)