| 1835 |
Missionaries first came to Fiji via the Wesleyan mission in Tonga. |
| 1851 - 1860 |
Due to epidemics of various diseases, thousands of indigenous Fijians died. Their numbers did not begin to rise again until the 1950s. |
| 1874 |
The Fijian islands were colonized by the British. The British gave preferential treatment to indigenous Fijians, and protected them from exploitation and their land from occupation. At the same time, however, the colonial administration brought in laborers from abroad, particularly India, to work on plantations. |
| 1879 |
Indentured laborers arrived in Fiji. The practice ended in 1916. |
| 1945 |
The population of East Indian Fijians outnumbered indigenous Fijians for the first time. |
| 1966 |
The Alliance Party (AP), led by Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, was established. It has been the major vehicle for the political dominance of the Eastern Chiefly establishment in the latter half of the 20th century. Under the party is the Fijian Association, dedicated to protecting the political rights and interests of indigenous Fijians, the Fiji National Congress, consisting of Indians opposed to mainstream Indian parties, and the General Electors Association composed of Europeans, Chinese, and others minorities.( Lawson, 1996). |
| Oct 10, 1970 |
Fiji became independent. The government was led by Prime Minister Ratu Mara of the Alliance Party (AP). |
| 1977 |
In general elections, the Indian-led opposition won a majority of seats in the legislature, but failed to form a government for fear of the reaction of indigenous Fijians to an Indian leader. |
| 1982 |
The AP won 28 seats in the legislature to the National Federation Party’s (NFP) 22. The NFP is supported mainly by East Indians while the AP is dominated by indigenous Fijians. |
| Jul 1985 |
The Fiji Labor Party (FLP) was established after a series of meetings by labor leaders. Supported by the Fijian Trades Union Congress, it was aimed at being a viable opposition in parliament and was led by Dr. Timoci Bavadra. Both Indians and native Fijians supported the party. |
| Apr 1987 |
A coalition of the FLP and NFP won 28 seats in the legislature in general elections. The coalition was able to defeat the AP which won only 24 seats. Bavadra became Prime Minister becoming the first Indian to lead Fiji. His cabinet included seven Indian and five indigenous Fijians. |
| May 14, 1987 |
Lt.-Col. Sitiveni Rabuka led a coup to overthrow Bavadra. He claimed to instigate the coup in order to prevent ethnic violence. Prime Minister Bavadra and 27 coalition members were imprisoned. Governor-General Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau refused to recognize the regime and appointed a 19 member Advisory Council, which included Rabuka, to oversee the running of the country. Bavadra refused to participate in the Council. Widespread racial violence, demands for the return of Bavadra, and protests against the interim administration were frequent. (Europa, 1999) |
| Jul 1987 |
The Great Council of Chiefs announced proposals for a new constitution which would favor native Fijians and ensure that the Prime Minister was of native Fijian descent. |
| Sep 1987 |
Negotiations between the Alliance Party and Labor Party took place and it was announced that the two sides had come to an agreement over power-sharing for a new government. However, on 25 September, Sitiveni Rabuka led a second coup and announced his intentions to declare a republic. Rabuka declared himself Head of State after dismissing judges and the Chief Justice who had opposed his coup and revoking the 1970 Constitution. (Europa, 1999) |
| Oct 1987 |
Rabuka resigned as Head of State but continued to head the armed forces. He appointed former Governor-General Ratu Ganilau first President of the Fijian Republic and Ratu Mara Prime Minister. The new Cabinet contained no members of the deposed Bavadra government. |
| Feb 1988 |
Rotuma, the only Polynesian Island in Fiji attempted to declare its independence. Fijian troops soon quelled dissent, and the rebellion ended. Under the 1990 constitution, Rotuma received special status within Fiji. |
| May 1988 |
About 300 traditional fijian chiefs have unanimously pledged support for the five-month-old interim civilian government of Prime Minister Ratu Mara. Mara is the paramount chief of the Lau group islands. (Xinhua, 5/6/1988) |
| Oct 1988 |
Former Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra formed an alliance with a faction of the nationalist Taukei Movement. (BBC, 10/3/88) |
| Dec 27, 1988 |
One hundred forty-six Methodists pleaded guilty in court to charges of setting up road-blocks around the city in protest over a gradual easing of the ban on most forms of Sunday activity. |
| Jan 1989 |
Government figures indicated that native Fijians once again became the numerically dominant group within the country. Over 12,000 Fijians, nearly 10,000 of whom were Indian Fijians, left the country after the 1987 coup. Among those who emigrated were 700 teachers, over 60% of Fiji’s lawyers, over half its doctors and almost 25% of its civil servants. (Europa, 1999) |
| Apr 6, 1989 |
Unions threatened to strike against the country’s economic problems. It is the first major threat by the unions which had supported the Indian-dominated Labor Party of ousted Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra. |
| Aug 1989 |
Fijians have been setting up roadblocks in cane-growing areas on Sundays affecting the flow of cane to mills which operate around the clock. Arrests have been made in the incidents as the cane industry struggles to complete the harvest before the on-set of the rainy season. More than 3/4 of the cane farmers are East Indians, while much of the land is owned by indigenous Fijians. (Reuters, 8/6/89) |
| Oct 1989 |
Native Fijians have been blamed for recent assaults on temples and mosques. A Methodist Church was also firebombed in Lautoka in a revenge attack. (Reuters 10/18/89) |
| Oct 9, 1989 |
About 400 prominent East Indians urged their kinsmen to present a united front against the recently proposed constitution. (Reuters, 10/9/89) |
| Oct 20, 1989 |
After a 24 hour shutdown of East Indian shops, businesses and schools, there was an explosion at the Indian-owned Pacific Transport. The protest was over the recent fire bombings of temples and mosques. (Reuters 10/20/89) |
| May 1990 |
The Indian embassy closed in protest over the treatment of East Indians in Fiji, and the adoption of what is seen to be a racist constitution. There were protests by Indians following the closing. (Reuters 5/5/90) |
| Jun 1 - Jul 31, 1990 |
The Great Council of Chiefs approved a draft constitution and initiated the formation of a new political party, the Fijian Political Party (SVT (Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei)) in June. The constitution which guaranteed a legislative majority for Fijians and gave the appointment of the president to the Great Council was promulgated in July. Ethnic Fijians were guaranteed 37 of 70 elective seats and the Great Council appointed 24 of 34 seats in the Senate. |
| Nov 1, 1990 |
Seven East Indians burned a copy of the constitution and were later arrested and charged with sedition. One of those arrested was reportedly tortured while in custody. (Reuters 11/1/1990) |
| Feb 1991 |
The government and labor unions were in dispute. A strike by more than 900 Miners Union workers over pay and poor working conditions resulted in the dismissal of some 400 miners. |
| Apr 1991 |
Rabuka resigned as Commander of the Armed Forces in order to take the post of Deputy Prime Minister. Later in the year, he resigned from the Cabinet in order to head the SVT. |
| May 1991 |
The government enacted legislation that abolished the minimum wage, restricted strike action, and refused recognition to unions which did not represent at least two-thirds of the work force. |
| Oct 10 - 20, 1991 |
There has been a spate of arson attacks on shrines and Holy Books during late September and early October. Recent attacks include those on Hindu temples and a priest by Christian fundamentalists. It is the worst religious violence since 1989. (Agence France Presse (AFP), 10/13/91) |
| Nov 5, 1991 |
Prime Minister Mara appealed to Indian farmers for understanding and cooperation as thousands of cane growers and sugar mill workers went on strike. The National Farmers Union wants an enquiry into low payments to farmers in 1990 and local growers’ council elections. The Fijian Sugar and General Workers’ Union (FSGWU) went on strike when it failed to reach a compromise with the government-owned Fijian Sugar Corporation over the reinstatement of a senior staff member who was demoted. Fiji lost $29 million in a similar strike. (AFP, 11/5/91) |
| Nov 6, 1991 |
The Fijian Youth and Student’s League organized a protest against the constitution in Suva. A similar demonstration last year resulted in the arrest of seven East Indian academics. (BBC, 11/6/91) |
| May 1992 |
The government recognized the Fiji Trade Unions Congress as the sole representative of workers in Fiji. In legislative elections, the Soqosoqo ni Vakevulewa ni Taukei (SVT, Fiji Political Party) won 30 of 37 seats reserved for ethnic Fijians and the National Federation Party (NFP) won 14 and the Fijian Labor Party (FLP) 13 of the seats reserved for East Indians. SVT leader Rabuka became Prime Minister. (Europa, 1999) |
| Dec 17, 1992 |
Prime Minister Rabuka opened up dialogue with the opposition and called for a government of national unity. He faced opposition from hardliners within his own party. The Nationalist Party leader Sakeasi Butadroka recently called for the departure of East Indians who outnumber Native Fijians in manufacturing, construction, trade, and finance. (Inter Press Service, 12/17/92) |
| Apr 19, 1993 |
The Taukei Movement published a statement in a newspaper complaining that the Prime Minister sympathized with East Indians. They argued that Native Fijians would end up losing the privileges they had gained under the 1990 constitution. (BBC, 4/19/93) |
| Jun 23, 1993 |
Opposition Labor Party members walked out of parliament over the government’s lack of progress in drafting a new constitution and land and labor reforms. The party gave Prime Minister Rabuka support last year during elections. (AFP, 6/23/93) |
| Feb 26, 1994 |
Prime Minister Rabuka of the ruling Fijian Political Party (Soqosoqo ni Vakevulewa ni Taukei, SVT) claimed victory in general elections and suggested he may include East Indian politicians in his government. Under the present system, electors are allowed to vote only for members of their own ethnic group. |
| May 9, 1994 |
The extreme nationalist Taukei Movement has warned that Native Fijians will rise up in violence if Indians are given equal political representation in parliament. (BBC, 5/9/94) |
| Jun 1994 |
Also in June, Rabuka announced that the Constitutional Review Commission had been established to review the racially-divisive 1990 constitution. |
| Jun 20, 1994 |
The opposition NFP and FLP walked out of parliament threatening to extend their boycott indefinitely in protest over political discrimination against East Indians. (Reuters 6/20/94) |
| Jun 1995 |
The Taukei Movement has stated that it wants the two multiracial houses of parliament to be dissolved and replaced by a single chamber composed only of native Fijians. They also demanded that Fiji be declared a Christian state and Sundays to be observed as days of worship and prayer. (BBC, 6/20/95) |
| Jun 2, 1995 |
The review of the constitution got underway. The three person commission will hold public hearings on the constitution and report to the president within one year. (Reuters, 6/2/95) |
| Sep 1995 |
The government transferred all state land to the Native Lands Trust Board to allow the allocation of land to indigenous Fijians. The East Indian community has been concerned that they would not be able to renew their land leases most of which will expire between 1997 and 2024. Native Fijians own 80% of the land while Indian Fijians lease it for sugar cane production (90% of sugar cane is produced by East Indians). |
| Oct 1995 |
In a submission to the Constitutional Review Committee, the ruling SVT party described East Indians as power hungry, arrogant, and untrustworthy. (Reuters, 10/10/95) Amidst a rise in racial tensions resulting from the submission, some indigenous Fijian politicians, including Josefata Kamikamica of the Association Party, described the document as disgraceful. (Europa, 1999) |
| Jan 24, 1996 |
The FLP is to petition the UN over human rights violations and discrimination against East Indians in Fiji. The government has failed to reactivate the parliamentary select committee on revising the constitution. The FLP is concerned that no discussions between the farmers, land-owners, and government have taken place to discuss the expiration of nearly 10,000 cane farming leases set to go into effect over the next few years. (BBC, 1/24/96) |
| Feb 1996 |
The government says it will establish the Taukei Sugar Canegrowers’ Council to help 5500 indigenous cane sugar farmers to improve their efficiency by providing technical, financial and mechanical support. The Indian canegrowers number about 18,000 and are represented by the Fiji Canegrowers’ Council. (BBC, 2/6/96) |
| Apr 1996 |
A recent spate of robberies and break-ins has caused great fear in the East Indian community who perceive the crimes to be racially motivated. Prime Minister Rabuka has refused to impose a curfew, but Police Commissioner Isikia Savua has promised to discuss the matter with Home Minister Paul Manueli. (AFP, 4/9/96) |
| Nov 1996 |
The Fiji Nationalist United Front Party (FNP), Vanua Independent Party (VIP), and Taukei Movement have formed the Coalition Against the Reeves Report which is intended to act as an opposition force against the new constitution. Eighty native Fijians opposed to plans for a new constitution marched in Suva and handed a petition to the Prime Minister. (BBC, 11/8/96) |
| May 14, 1997 |
Prime Minister Rabuka admitted that the coup he led ten years before was a mistake. He also has been taking steps to reverse the racist constitution institutionalized by his regime. Native Fijians own 83% of the land, but are economically disadvantaged. East Indians who control the sugar industry are economically advantaged but politically disadvantaged. Large numbers of Indians have emigrated since the 1987 coup. (AFP, 5/14/97) |
| Jul 1997 |
A new constitution was passed 4 July by the lower house of parliament and on 10 July by the upper house without dissent. (IPS, 7/20/97) It does not take effect, however, until July 1998. Among the many reforms, the new constitution provides for 25 open, or non-racial, seats in the lower house, a multi-party government and the removal of racial qualifications from key posts such as prime minister. About 100 ultra-nationalists marched in Suva to protest the constitutional reforms passed by parliament. The march was organized by the FNP, VIP, and National Union of Taukei Workers who have consistently opposed any revision of the 1990 constitution. They claim the reforms unanimously passed by parliament will mean the end of the Fijian race. Five MPs of the Indigenous Fijian Association Party said they were happy with the new constitution because indigenous rights are secure within it. All MPs of the ruling Fijian Political Party (SVT) voted in favor of the reform. (BBC, 7/5/97). |
| Oct 1997 |
FLP leader Chaudhry has stated that there are numerous cases where Indian farmers with valid land leases have been forcibly removed from the land by native Fijian landowners. (BBC, 10/3/97) |
| Nov 1 - Dec 31, 1997 |
The National Farmers’ Union urged the government to work on resolving the land-lease issue. There were reports of harassment of those who lease the land by indigenous land-owners. |
| Mar 1998 |
The government began bi-partisan discussions on the issue of land leases amid accusations that the move was deliberately timed to influence polling of sugar cane growers who go to the polls to elect their leaders to the Sugar Cane Growers’ Council. Under the current system, leases are regulated under the Landlord and Tenants Act which gives out 30 year leases. Leases have begun expiring without the authorities doing anything to renew them. Landowners, who are mostly native Fijians, have said many of the leases may not be renewed because they need the land for other purposes. (AFP, 3/2/98) The Christian Fellowship Party was formed in opposition to the new constitution due to take effect in July. It was led by Rev. Manasa Lasaro. (Europa, 1999). |
| Jun 1998 |
Prime Minister Rabuka returned to Fiji after an arson attack on the country’s main power station. Police said they would question two long-time opponents of the Prime Minister believed to be advisors to native Fijian farmers. Fijians land-owners have demanded compensation from the government over the loss of land and resources. (AFP, 6/29/98) Rabuka has fallen out of favor with voters for the first time. He has a 25% approval rating less than a year before elections, the first under the new constitution, are scheduled to take place. His fall in the polls is blamed on the long-disputed issue of land lease renewals for sugar cane farmers. Other economic policies of his government are also unpopular with the public. (AAP Newsfeed, 6/9/98) |
| Jun 30, 1998 |
The Indian government decided to reopen a diplomatic mission in Suva after an eight year closure. In February, India lifted its trade embargo against Fiji which was imposed to protest the denial of certain political rights to East Indian Fijians. |
| Jul 1998 |
The government has come under attack for using troops to quell civil unrest Land-owners near the Monasavu Dam, which supplies 90% of Fiji’s power needs, are demanding $35 million in compensation for the loss of land and resources because of the dam. Prime Minister Rabuka has recently implemented the Emergency Powers Bill which imposes harsh penalties on those found guilty of sabotaging vital industry The National Farmer’s Union General Secretary Mahendra Chaudhry said the bill mainly threatens the farmers who have been boycotting the sugar cane harvest in protest against the government’s refusal to give cash grants to farmers made destitute by widespread crop failures. The Bill is designed to circumvent the new constitution which comes into effect this month. (AFP, 7/5/98) |
| Jul 26, 1998 |
The new constitution came into effect in Fiji. International condemnation over racial discrimination, political instability and economic stagnation forced the government to take the first steps towards the new constitution in June 1996. The new constitution allows for entrenched discrimination to continue for another two years. Native Fijians have opposed the new constitution because it takes away their privileged status within the country. Elections are to be held in early 1999. (AFP, 7/26/98) |
| Oct 1998 |
A new Methodist Church aligned party, the Christian Democratic Alliance, was established. Its leaders are thought to have been involved with the 1987 coup which brought Prime Minister Rabuka to power, but the CDA denied that it’s platform would have an ultra-nationalist agenda. |
| Feb 10, 1999 |
The commander of Fiji’s military forces Epeli Ganilau has resigned to enter politics. He has been offered tickets by Fiji’s Association Party, the SVT, and the Christian Democratic Party. (AAP Newsfeed, 2/10/99) |
| Mar 1999 |
The governing SVT, the opposition National Federation Party (NFP), led by Reddy, and the United General Party (UGP) have joined in a coalition prior to the upcoming national elections. (BBC, 3/11/99) Opposing the government-led coalition is the FLP, the Fiji Association Party (FAP) and the Party of National Unity (PANU). (BBC, 3/22/99) |
| May 1999 |
The nationalist Vanua Tako-Lavo party president Sakeasi Butadrooka has called on the government to defer the general elections for two months to let citizens familiarize themselves with it. The Party sees the 1997 constitution as a sell-out of native Fijians. It wants to reintroduce and strengthen section 100 of the 1990 constitution, struck from the 1997 constitution, which accords primacy to customary law. (BBC, 5/3/99) |
| May 8, 1999 |
A week of voting began. It is the first national vote under the 1997 constitution. As the time approached for the vote count, police strengthened security at all voting centers where the ballot boxes are being stored. (BBC, 5/13/99) Labor Party (FLP) leader Mahendra Chaudhry took over as Prime Minister on 19 May. His FLP-led coalition will hold 52 of parliament’s 71 seats. Attempts by a group of disgruntled nationalist Fijian MPs to replace Chaudhry with a Fijian prime minister were foiled when President Mara told the dissenters to support Chaudhry. (AFP, 5/21/1999) There were fears of a coup after the defeat of Prime Minister Rabuka, though Rabuka himself assured the nation that the defeat of his party would to lead to violence in the country. Senior police officers said tight security would be maintained until a new and stable government is up and running. (BBC, 5/18/99) The all Indian National Federal Party failed to gain a single seat in the election. |
| May 19, 1999 |
Chaudhry was sworn in as Fiji’s first Indian Prime Minister. He promised to steer the country away from racial politics. (AFP, 5/19/99) Chaudhry also made major concessions to appease ethnic Fijians, giving them the majority of seats in his Cabinet (11 of 18 full positions, and 2 of 5 junior positions). The new constitution adopted in 1997 makes it mandatory that parties with more than 10 percent seats in parliament be invited to hold cabinet positions.(AFP, 5/21/99) |
| May 29, 1999 |
Rally organizers said that 1000 people would take part in a protest march to the Government House to protest the installation of Chaudhry as Prime Minister. Ten recent arson attacks in Suva were thought to be related to the ascension of Chaudhry as Prime Minister. There have also been fears of an outbreak of racial violence since the elections results were announced. (Japan Economic Newswire, 5/28/99) |
| Jun 8, 1999 |
President Ratu Mara and former Prime Minister Rabuka spoke in defense of Indian Prime Minister Chaudhry as he was about to address the Great Council of Chiefs. Bau Chief Adi Litia Cakobau tried to prevent Chaudhry from speaking to the Council, but Mara interrupted saying under the 1997 constitution, the Prime Minister, regardless of his or her race, was allowed to address the Great Council. (BBC) |
| Jun 2 - 2, 2005 |
The FLP held a protest against the Reconciliation and Unity Bill, which would have set the 2000 coup plotters free (Agence France Presse -- English, 06/02/2005, "Fijians protest against bill to set coup plotters free"). |
| May 12 - 12, 2006 |
Five East Indian farmers, holding a demonstration because they were registered to vote in the wrong constituencies, were arrested (Indo-Asian News Service, 05/12/2006, "Protesting Indo-Fijian farmers held, out on bail"). |
| Dec 5 - 5, 2006 |
The military, led by Commodore Frank Bainimarama, overthrew the elected government in Fiji's fourth coup in 19 years. (The Associated Press, 12/05/2006, "Fiji's military overthrows government in fourth coup in 19 years") |
