The constitution and other laws and policies protect religious freedom and, in practice, the government generally respected religious freedom. The government did not demonstrate a trend toward either improvement or deterioration in respect for and protection of the right to religious freedom. In January a new law went into effect that requires all religious organizations practicing in the country to register with and obtain approval from island councils.
There were isolated reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice, particularly on the northern island of Nanumanga. Some traditional island councils interfered with the free practice of religion on some islands.
Although the U.S. government does not maintain a resident embassy in the country, the U.S. ambassador to Fiji is accredited to the government. Representatives from the embassy in Fiji visited the country and discussed religious freedom in the context of overall discussions about human rights with the government and nongovernmental organizations.