In a follow up to an earlier SiFM post on the road less traveled by Fiji.
ABC video of the political situation in Fiji, just over 24 hours ago. (posted below)
Since the ABC news cast, there has been developments. Fiji TV news segment (posted below), covers the second Frank Bainimarama swearing-in ceremony as Fiji Prime Minister.
The new cabinet lineup, as published in Fiji Government website.
Cabinet Ministers sworn in by His Excellency the President Apr 11, 2009, 17:55
His Excellency the President, Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda has this afternoon swore in Cabinet Ministers of the Fiji Government, following their appointment by Prime Minister Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama.
The 9 Cabinet Ministers include:
1. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum Attorney General and Minister for Justice
2. Ratu Epeli Ganilau Minister for Defence, National Security and Immigration
3. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Provincial Development and Multi Ethnic Affairs
4. Netani Sukanaivalu as Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources;
5. Joketani Cokanasiga Minister for Primary Industries
6. Dr Jiko Luveni Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation
7. Filipe Bole Minister for Education, National Heritage and Culture & Youth and Sports
8. Captain Timoci Lesi Natuva Minister for Works, Transport and Public Utilities
9. Dr Neil Sharma Minister for Health
The Cabinet Ministers will take up office on Tuesday 14th April, 2009.
Well, a lot has happened in the past 24 hrs post-Appeals Court Judgement. An ABC web article has a well researched page on the political scene in Fiji with interviews with former Interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.
Google News aggregate has a chart analysing the news cycle of Fiji.
Timeline of articles & Number of sources covering this story
The latest Appeal Court ruling has been made. Full Appeals Judgement.
What is rather bizzare is the Australia Acting Foreign Minister, calling on the Interim Government to respect decision; however before the actual Appeal, it was Australian Bar Associations among others that raised unfounded doubts regarding the judiciary and even warned other would be appointees, about taking office in Fiji, as published in The Australian.
What happened to their doubts post Appeals Court Judgement?
The excerpt of the Australian article:
ABA cautions lawyers on taking judicial office in
Fiji
Chris Merritt, Legal affairs editor March 13, 2009
Article from: The Australian
THE Australian Bar Association has warned lawyers to be wary about accepting judicial office from Fiji's military-backed government because their appointments could be seen as tainted.
The warning, from ABA president Tom Bathurst QC, comes soon after the International Bar Association raised doubts about the legitimacy of judicial appointments in Fiji since the 2006 coup. The IBA's concerns are outlined in a damning report by the organisation's Human Rights Institute that says the rule of law has been steadily deteriorating in Fiji since the coup. Mr Bathurst said the report
was in line with the ABA's own concerns. Anybody who might be considering
accepting judicial office in Fiji "ought to have a good read of this report before they do so", he said.
"Much as you might like to assist these countries, it is very difficult when on an objective view it could be seen as a tainted appointment. "People have got to look very hard before they take these appointments. They are superficially attractive but they have huge problems." The IBAHRI report says the military-backed regime "has taken steps to influence, control or intimidate the judiciary and the legal
profession".
"The interim regime, apparently allied to some members of the
judiciary, the legal profession and the Fiji Human Rights Commission, have
attacked those members of the judiciary and the legal profession who have
attempted to defend human rights and the justice system," the report says.
Judges who have been appointed or promoted since the coup have heard cases
that relate to the constitutionality of their own appointments, the report says.
It says the regime has tried to silence critical news and comment, has deported
expatriate publishers, has misused proceedings for contempt of court and
altered the membership of the body that nominates judges to the bench -- the
Judicial Service Commission.
One of the judges who has been singled out for criticism in the IBAHRI report is Melbourne barrister Jocelynne Scutt (see accompanying report). The IBAHRI also says the appointment of Fiji's new Chief Justice, Anthony Gates, an Australian citizen, needs to be reviewed to determine if it breaches the Fiji constitution. Justice Gates, who is British born and Cambridge-educated, was a magistrate at the time of the 1987 coup that had been led by military strongman Sitiveni Rabuka.
After he refused to swear an oath of allegiance to Colonel Rabuka, he and other judicial officers were dismissed and he spent almost five years in Brisbane as a public prosecutor. Chief Justice Gates has held his current position since December. He was previously acting chief justice, a title he had held since chief justice Daniel Fatiaki was suspended soon after the coup.
Charges were laid against Chief Justice Fatiaki that were dropped late last year as part of a "settlement" in which he agreed to resign as chief justice and was given $F275,000 by the military-backed Government.
"The suspension by chief justice Fatiaki by the military regime should be condemned by all supporters of the rule of law, particularly given that all charges were eventually dropped and a large settlement payment was made by the regime," the IBAHRI says. The report has found that it is "questionable" whether the appointment of Justice Gates as the new Chief Justice is constitutional. "The IBAHRI also considers that there are doubts about the validity of appointments made to the bench since January 2007," the report says.
It says those doubts are likely to continue because of changes the military-backed Government has made to the Judicial Service Commission.
The report says a number of vacancies are due to arise on the Fiji Supreme Court but
says it appears there is no way "unquestioningly legitimate" appointments can be
made to those vacancies because "a nomination will be perceived as compromised
by the method of appointment". The IBAHRI recommended that no more judges
should be appointed by the regime in Suva until democratic elections are held.
It says there are sufficient concerns about the Fiji judiciary "to
constitute a reasonable doubt about a lack of judicial independence within the
current Fiji judiciary".
It recommends that the Fiji judiciary respect freedom of expression among the media and the legal profession. Mr Bathurst endorsed the IBAHRI's report and said very senior members of the judiciary in Australia and New Zealand had "quite rightly" either declined to serve on the Fiji bench or had allowed their commissions to lapse.
Australia Presses Fiji to Hold Elections After Court Ruling
By Michael Heath
April 9 (Bloomberg) -- Australia pressed Fiji’s military government to hold elections after the Pacific island nation’s Court of Appeal ruled a 2006 coup was illegal.
Acting Foreign Minister Simon Crean welcomed the ruling, which also called on the president to appoint an interim leader to oversee a ballot, and said the government must respect the court’s decision.”
Fiji’s Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum said a dangerous vacuum would be created if the government relinquished power and signaled it would appeal the decision, the Associated Press reported.
Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase with the support of his 3,500-strong army in December 2006, accusing the government of corruption.
The takeover was Fiji’s fourth coup in 21 years. It damaged the country’s tourism and sugar industries and spurred Australia and New Zealand to impose travel bans and sanctions. A corruption commission set up by Bainimarama also charged Qarase with abuse of office, an allegation he has denied.
Bainimarama, who is interim prime minister, is under pressure from Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific nations to hold elections by the end of the year.
Crean said today’s ruling “underlines that the dismissal of Prime Minister Qarase was invalid.” The government should restore democracy through elections as early as possible, Crean said, adding Australia would be ready to provide “considerable assistance” to ensure the ballot is successful.
To contact the reporter on this story: Michael Heath in Sydney at mheath1@bloomberg.net.
Last Updated: April 9, 2009
03:06 EDT
Fiji Times (F.T) article, quotes from the Interim Prime Minster. The excerpt of F.T article:
Fiji's without a government: Bainimarama Thursday, April 09, 2009
Update: 7:24PM
FIJI has no government in place as it awaits the President's decision on
his next course of action, said Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama in a televised
address to the nation moments ago.
He said the Fiji Court of Appeal's declarations meant that "we effectively do not now have a prime minister or any ministers of the State; in other words we do not have
government in place".
The former interim prime minister said the country now had to wait for the President to decide on his next course of action.
"I want to assure you all that I, as Commander of the RFMF, together with all the security forces, shall ensure that there will be no disruption to law and order," he said. "His Excelllency shall inform us of his decision soon."
One legally trained poster "Real Jack" outlined what the judgement means, and the legal avenues available and the course of actions, derived from such a decision.
Other reactions to the Appeals Judgement was varied. One such thread regarding the judgement was from Fiji Exiles Board forum The excerpt of the posting:
Well crafted Declarations by Court of Appeal
just heard the Declarations over the TV - the Court of Appeal has set down a very well crafted set of declarations. they say
(a) the events of December 2006 are invalid; BUT
(b) the laws and work done since then by the regime are valid, subject to
any determination being made othewise (i.e through the courts on a case by case basis) OR as and when parliament reconvenes and determines the laws and actions
(c) they recomend that the President appoint a caretaker Prime Minister OTHER THAN the parties to the case to dissolve parliament - and this is the beuty part - they haven't stated that Rt Epeli Ganilau or Nailatikau or Filipe Bole or any of the other current members can't be appointed caretaker PM - lol - nor have they advised that Chaudary can't be caretaker PM to dissolve parliament -so the President can appoint anybody he chooses from inside the 2006 parliament to give that advice and sign the dissolution of parliament -
this is exactly what the Tui Nayau did in 2000 - appointed Rt Tevita Momoedonu as PM for 15 minutes just to sign the dissolution. then that interim PM appoints a caretaker government to go to elections - and the Court has not said that FB can't be part of that interim government AFTER that dissolution has been properly effected. they may have done it illegally in 2006 - but after doing a proper dissolution now as per the Declarations of the Court, they will be kosher and legal. this is a smoothly crafted judgement - very slick.
its so wide open and flexible it allows for structuring of outcomes WITHIN the legislative and constitutional framework to go forward. the President should follow the Declarations (even if it doesn't name him as a party to the proceedings) - appoint an interim Prime Minister for 15 minutes i.e Chaudary or someone else to declare a dissolution of parliament - and then constitute a caretaker government and have FB & Co resworn to take the country to elections - and implement the reforms in the process - these laws are not invalidated by today's Declarations - the Court has made that very clear - which essentially means the reforms can proceed. and there is no timeframe on when elections should proceed - thats a prcatical and political decision - the Writs can be issued, but whether the country is ready for elections is a practical
issue which then follows. its a very good flexible Judgement.
too good - they realise the possibility of a coup d'etat to abrogate the 1997 Constitution AND SO they have basically presented the way forward flexible enough to take on board everybody's concerns and manouver a legal way through.
i don't know what Pryde is trying to do with an appeal - these Judges of the Court of Appeal have presented to him the whole thing on the plate - he can refit the jigsaw as he likes now - its his playground - get on down and play - start structuring - they have set down the parameters so that when he refits the jigsaw, its kosher - legal. these Judges are good - too good.
Real Jack continues in another post, in the same thread about how Qarase is misrepresenting the ruling, as seen in a Fiji Times article.
The excerpt of Real Jack's posting:
Regime should publish the judgement in the Dailies in all languages
Qarase is now back to his old game - he is now misrepresenting the judgement - just heard him on Fijian radio saying that the Court of Appeal has determined that the events of 5th December are illegal. full stop. what the regime should do is publish the judgement in all the Dailies in Fijian, Hindustani and English showing CLEARLY and UNAMBIGUOUSLY what the Court of appeal actually said IN ITS TOTALITY.
Robert Frost's famous poem has many lessons to be learnt, for all those political observers. Fiji has indeed took the road of democracy not taken and it has become the whipping post of all those who wanted the nation to to take the well travelled path of instant elections.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by, And that
has made all the difference
The new US Secretary Of State, Hillary Clinton has been reported by TVNZ web article, to have commented on Fiji's democracy. The excerpt of TVNZ article:
Foreign Minister Murray McCully and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after signing an Arrangement For Cooperation On Nonproliferation Assistance.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Fiji's coup leader to restore democracy to the country and she backed a demand by South Pacific leaders for elections there this year. With Foreign Minister Murray McCully at her side, Clinton said democracy must not be "extinguished" in Fiji, where the country's 2006 coup leader and self-appointed prime minister has said he will not hold elections this year as promised.
"We join New Zealand in encouraging Fiji's interim government to abide by the Pacific Island Forum's benchmarks and timetable to restore democracy to that country," Clinton said. "We share a common determination that democracy must not be extinguished there," she added.
Coup leader Frank Bainimarama promised to hold elections last month, but then said Fiji must first change its racially based electoral system, which he blames for past instability. Bainimarama, who is also Fiji's military chief, staged the 2006 coup, saying the government was corrupt and soft on the perpetrators of a 2000 coup.
Fiji has suffered four coups and an army mutiny since 1987. It is racially divided with tensions between majority indigenous Fijians and ethnic Indians, who control the business center.
Fiji Live (F.L)article, also cited TVNZ. This is the excerpt of F.L article:
Clinton urges Fiji to democracy 08/04/2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged Fiji's coup leader to restore democracy and she has backed a demand by South Pacific leaders for elections later this year.
Clinton made the comments to TVNZ while meeting with New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully. Clinton said democracy must not be "extinguished" in Fiji.
"We join New Zealand in encouraging Fiji's interim government to abide by the Pacific Island Forum's benchmarks and timetable to restore democracy," Clinton said.
"We share a common determination that democracy must not be extinguished there," she added. The Pacific Leaders through the Pacific Islands Forum which includes Australia and New Zealand met in Papua New Guinea in January this year issuing an ultimatum to Fiji to hold elections by the end of 2009 and announce an election timetable by May 1.
Failure to meet this deadline will see Fiji suspended from the Forum.
The actual video (posted below) of Clinton's joint press conference with New Zealand's Foreign Minister, Murray McCully.
While former Presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton hopes that "democracy is not extinguished in Fiji". It is a concern for SIFM, if the caliber of democracy Clinton advocates for Fiji, is actually a Jim Crow type of democracy, which the US Ambassador had also wanted as an earlier SIFM post outlined.
While the Trans-Tasman neighbors and the US want their own type of democracy, irrespective of its actual hypocrisy; those anticipating a May 1st Election in Fiji may be waiting in vain.
Another TVNZ article, quotes from ANU History Professor Brij Lal, as he peeks in his crystal ball and adamantly issues a self-fulfilling prophecy.
The excerpt of TVNZ article:
Fiji slides into desperation
Fiji is sliding into a "desperate state" as its military leadership continues to thumb its nose at a looming election deadline.
Pacific analysts are warning that the political and financial position of the largest Polynesian nation is more fragile than ever, and more serious than many realise. "Things are really heating up in terms of violence and threats on the media, and money wise the place is in dire straits," says Professor Brij Lal, a specialist in Pacific issues at the Australian National University (ANU).
"It's the military's doing but it's the Fijian people that are really going to start hurting." Fiji's military leader Frank Bainimarama has been in power since staging a bloodless coup in December 2006. He's since failed to hold an election to restore democracy.
Bainimarama argues that before going to the polls, the electoral system
must be overhauled to make it fairer for the country's Fijian Indian minority. And while most of his critics agree reforms are needed, the slow pace and unclear intentions of the regime has increasingly frustrated Australia, New Zealand and smaller Pacific nations.
In January, via the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), they collectively handed Fiji a May 1 deadline to announce an election date. And the Commonwealth and Obama administration later added their voices to the ultimatum. But the interim government is refusing to budge.
"We will not be told what to do or when to do it by Australia or any other country," senior government spokesman Neumi Leweni said when asked if the country intended to fulfil its neighbours' wishes.
"We are going about our business at our pace and that's that." The
problem, Lal and other commentators say, is that in the meantime the nation is coming under increased strain. The coffers are running dry, with government departments recently ordered to reduce their operating budgets by 50% to stay afloat.
"The economy is in a desperate state," says Dr Jon Fraenkel, also of
ANU. "Fiji's government revenue has virtually collapsed because exports are down, business confidence is down and foreign investment is low.
"That's why they're making these draconian announcements about cutting back on state expenditure." The European Union has warned that the country's biggest export industry, sugar, is at risk if no election is held, and earnings in the second biggest market, tourism, are well down.
"Much of this will be the global economic crisis but the internal crisis
will also be turning people away," Lal says. Tactics of intimidation also appear to be on the rise. Several prominent citizens, including a lawyer, trade unionist, newspaper editor and a businessman, have been the target of overnight vandal attacks on homes, cars or offices in Suva in the past two months.
Fiji police say there is no evidence linking the crimes to the government
but commentators say the fact most victims are pro-democracy cannot be overlooked. It used to be that you could say human rights abuses were
confined to the early period after the December 2006 coup," Fraenkel says.
"But in the last few months there have been more attacks again and things are getting very difficult. "It's true to say that the scale of the crisis in Fiji is a lot worse than many people realise." Three international reports published since January have raised concerns about aspects of human rights, and the International Federation of Journalists has warned of increasing threats to press freedom.
But still the military regime is sticking to its guns. Fraenkel says it's
important to remember that many Fijians themselves want an election. "It's convenient for Bainimarama to act as though all the pressure is external but that's not the case," the academic says.
Indigenous Fijians, who make up 57% of the population, mostly want
elections as soon as possible to get back to constitutional democracy, Fraenkel says. And the minority Fiji Indians, who initially felt they had been better served by this coup more so than the coups of 1987 and 2000, were also looking for change. "Even the Fiji Labour Party, the party preferred by most Fiji Indians, is beginning to see there has to be an end to this," Fraenkel says. But commentators don't see an end in sight.
In just a few weeks, the deadline will pass, leaving the PIF to decide if it will do as it threatened and suspend Fiji.
Fiji-based academic Dr Steven Ratuva, of the University of the South
Pacific, says the forum has "shot itself in the foot" with the ultimatum.
"Suspension was designed to hurt Fiji but ultimately it's the region that will suffer, as will the small countries like Tuvalu and Kiribati that virtually rely on Fiji to keep going," Ratuva says.
"There will no longer be that regional architecture there to support them
[...]It's very unlikely to have the desired effect of propelling Fiji into
action and, to be frank, it won't hurt the country very much at all in the short term." Another way forward is political talks to be held between party heads to discuss electoral reform. But in the past few days Bainimarama has threatened to exclude key leaders, including ousted prime minister Laisenia Qarase.
"If that happens it will render the process useless and we're back to
square one," Fraenkel says. In the meantime, Lal says, expect no changes quickly. "These military men are enjoying the power," he says. "They're riding a gravy train and when it stops they'll have to get off so they're clinging on."
Fiji website Matavuvale, has a thread on Fiji's return to democracy, on their forum page. The thread has differing views on Fiji's democratic situation, some widely off the mark and in left field, along with Lal and Frankael's quoted remarks.
Many of those opposing the Interim Government complain the Interim Government and the military have constantly interfered with the judiciary since December 2006.
After the win at 2009 Hong Kong sevens tournament, it appeared that everything seemed fine. Beneath the allure of triumph, an under current of childish discontentment swirled thick and fast. These self inflicted wounds of the Fiji Rugby Union, soon found its way to the local dailies.
Fiji Times article quoted from FRU Chairman, the notorious Keni Dakuidreketi.
The excerpt of F.T article:
FRU condemns its president
Friday, April 03, 2009
Update: 3:44PM THE FIJI Rugby Union has strongly condemned its president, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, for his public statements on the ongoing review of the organisation.
"The Board feels the FRU President has no mandate under the constitution of the FRU to be publicly issuing press statements on matters relating to its operation," said FRU chairman Keni Dakuidreketi, who added that such a display by Ro Filipe was "very immature behaviour unworthy of the position".
"If he has the FRU at heart, he should be dealing with those that are constitutionally mandated to deal with it," he said.
The Fiji Times article, portrayed a one dimensional interview with Dakuidreketi and did not bother (as usual) to balance the article with the other views. The Fiji Live article, by comparison quoted from both sides of the debate.
The excerpt of F.L article:
Fiji rugby chiefs at loggerheads April 03, 2009
All is not well at the Fiji Rugby Union House in Suva hours from the start of the Adelaide 7s in Australia tonight.With Fiji savouring the victory feat at Hong Kong last week and expectation of more glory this weekend, the FRU chairman Keni Dakuidreketi is having a war of words with his president Ro Filipe Tuisawau over the findings of the Fiji Review team that is investigating the operations of the FRU.
Tuisawau claimed the review is calling for an investigation into the FRU coffers.This angered Dakuidreketi who claimed that his president is stepping out of line.“The FRU Board condemns the manner in which it’s President, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, has been making public utterances about the internal affairs of the FRU.
The President has no mandate under the constitution of the FRU to be publicly issuing press statements on matters relating to its operation,” Dakuidreketi said in a statement this afternoon. “If the President truly has the FRU at heart, he would be working with the Board and not acting against it. The President is displaying very immature behaviour unworthy of the position.
Public grandstanding and point scoring will not solve anything,” Dakuidreketi added. Ro Filipe replied saying Dakuidreketi should step down because he has guided Fiji rugby to a different direction.“The only comment I can make is that Keni has made more immature comments than me and it is him who should step down,” Ro Filipe added. “Most of his actions and comments bring disrepute to FRU.
A lot of sponsors are waiting for the AGM outcome. [Dakuidreketi] tried to derail the review by questioning the constitutionality of the Special General Meeting which authorised the review. I think it’s very important that unions are aware of the issues coming out of the review and that's why I am airing them.”He said the Hong Kong 7s win should not be a band-aid over the operations of the FRU.
“On communications with the Board, they ceased informing me of Board meetings since July 2008. Where is the sincerity in that?”“I will not step down but will leave everything to the Council to decide at the AGM. For too long the culture of silence has prevailed and its time for the unions to come out and speak more forthrightly at the AGM.
Its also time for an independent analysis to come out rather than the normal Annual Report and motions which are hardly actioned on and followed up,” Tuisawau continued.“No one is hiding anything as our accounts are independently audited and the review which started off as a process and systems review has now, according to Tuisawau, become an investigation,” Dakuidreketi continued.“The President should re-read the constitution and get to terms with his role.
If he doesn’t like the President’s role, as provided for in the constitution, the noble thing to do is to step down. His actions are bringing the FRU into disrepute and are unbecoming of someone who ought to be regarded as a figurehead of the Union.”Ro Filipe is the head of the FRU review team set up to investigate the operations of the FRU after the sacking of 7s icon Waisale Serevi as the Fiji 7s coach.
Fijilive
Dakuidreketi had infuriated many Fiji rugby fans for having a hand in terminating the coaching duties of legendary Sevens icon, Waisale Serevi. Adding insult to injury, was Dakuidreketi's faux pas reaction to Fiji's loss in the recent Dubai leg of the IRB Sevens circuit; the contest for the World Cup.
A forum on a Fiji social networking site (My Fiji Friends.com) had a thread, with embittered reactions to Dakuidreketi's comments, that defended Fiji's Dubai loss, others pointed to his micro-management role in the team's selection.
Readers of SiFM are well appraised of the dubious and venal nature of Messr Dakuidreketi and to re-fresh memories, an earlier SiFM post on Natadola and post on Yaqara describes the tainted legacy of the person.
Suva (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Fijian Holdings Limited (FHL) has confirmed that the F$190 million (US$105 million) acquisition of BP South West Pacific is going ahead, reports Fiji Live. FHL managing director Sereana Qoro said the settlement of this acquisition would be made in a few weeks upon finalisation of overseas funding agreements.
The People's Charter is central to understanding the Fiji situation and its future under Commodore Frank Bainimarama. First World Governments try to push this regime back to the ballot box, but the interim head of state is intent on following through on the charter's goals, however long that may take.
Fiji Times article titled "Redemption" covers the Fiji Rugby Sevens win in Hong Kongs, after a decade in the shadows.
Hong Kong Sevens tournament is a fun filled tournament, that attracts a lot of colorful personalities to the Happy Valley, since its inception in the early 1970's.
A video of the sights and sounds of Hong Kong 2009 was posted on Youtube.
A fresh video posted in Youtube, displays the celebrative mood by the victorious team members of Fiji, as seen from the grand stand.
Hibiscus Trust Fiji just posted a video on Youtube, about their actvities around Fiji detailing the difficulty of obtaining health care in Fiji.
The Hibsicus Trust was founded by Sadhana Smiles, a 2007 Price Waterhouse Coopers Victoria/Tas Franchise Women of the year; is a consultant from Victoria, Australia and Director of Real Change. Smiles's own blog.
Smiles passionately shares her experiences and describes a sad story in her blog.
The excerpt:
Cost of a life was $2.00
As we approach international woman’s day let’s celebrate our political, social, business and economic successes and in recognition of the theme this year stop violence against women and girls. I also ask that you pause and consider for a moment women in countries who today still do not have equal rights. And that the measure of success of equal rights is not just about politics, business and economy but also about health and education.
I want to share a story of beautiful woman who died simply because she could not afford a $2 bus fare. Leba lived in Fiji where over 60% of the population lives below the poverty line. She regularly had pap smears however in 2004 she could not afford $2 for a bus fare to go and collect her results. Two years later her doctor told her she had cervical cancer by which stage it was too late to treat. Her husband died shortly after, she lost her home, could not work and had to move her family into a settlement where 8 of them lived in a home the size of an average bedroom in the western world. She could not afford pain medication or dressings and her children watched her die an undignified death. No human should have to go through this.
Our trust supported her in her final days; she lost her battle to cancer on the 18th of November 2008. She left behind 7 kids who are now orphans. Her wish was for two things, her kids stay together and they get an education. Our trust (Hibiscus Trust Fiji) is ensuring that this occurs.
Sadly Leba’s story is not unusual, she lived in a country where education on women’s health is not a priority, where doctors do not conduct regular breast exams and pap smears, where once diagnosed you could be waiting for 12 months for any form of treatment, where chemotherapy is not readily available and alarmingly there is no follow up on positive results. More often by the time women find out they have breast or cervical cancer it is too late. Women are not taught how to check their breasts, or sent reminders for pap smears.
Many women suffer sexually transmitted diseases which they have caught from their husbands; they cannot afford to go to a doctor or the bus fare to the local hospital leave alone buy drugs for treatment.
As we celebrate international women’s day pause and think about our sisters who live in countries where because you are unable to afford a bus fare it makes a difference between life and death; equal rights is not just about the vote, or equal pay, board representation, promotions... it is about basic human rights, basic health care and simply the opportunity to live your life.
Ask ourselves how can we make a difference? What can I do to make sure that these stories do not become the norm no matter where women live.
One can almost say, Hibiscus Trust is making a real change for people in Fiji; and their quiet achievements, sets their outfit apart from the rest.
Unlike some other prima donna NGO personalities. Case in point: Fiji Womens Crisis Centre coordinator, Shamima Ali, who apparently lives under the spotlight of media attention.
Fiji Village (FV) article quoted from Fiji Military Commander, Pita Driti when he dressed down, the Fiji Women Crisis Centre Coordinator, Shamima Ali.
The excerpt of the FV article:
Driti tells Shamima to stay out of politics
Publish date/time: 27/03/2009 [17:04]
The military has today called on the Coordinator of the Fiji Womens Crisis Centre Shamima Ali to stop getting involved in politics.
RFMF Land Force Commander Colonel Pita Driti said Ali should concentrate on tackling the rise in sex related offences and stop blaming the events of December 2006 for the increasing statistics.
While speaking from NZ, Shamima Ali said it seems her words have had an effect for Colonel Driti to be responding to her. Meanwhile, Colonel Driti is now calling for a period of silence from the politicians and NGO's to ensure that the political forum is successful.
He says the political parties and NGOs have to stop attacking the RFMF and the interim government if they want Fiji to move forward. Shamima Ali said they cannot be silenced and will continue to speak out.
In a bizarre outburst the head of Fiji’s land forces has claimed the military is fighting to prevent the nation falling into an abyss of genocide and civil war. Fiji Military (RFMF) Land Force Commander Colonel Pita Driti has issued a statement while his boss and coup leader Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama is out of the country.
Bainimarama seized power in Fiji's fourth coup in 2006. Within hours of Bainimarama leaving for India, Driti called for the closure of the top circulation Fiji Times which he said was attacking the military government.
After a burst of criticism, Driti this afternoon has responded saying that those who attacked him have not experienced anarchy."Many of us experienced it slightly in the civilian backed coup of 2000 when rebels almost took over the country," he said in reference to the George Speight led coup. "That is anarchy in a minute scale and the RFMF is trying to prevent Fiji fall into the abyss of lawlessness and disorder with mass genocides, ethnic cleansing and battle between warlords, let alone civil war - now that is a national security angle that I am speaking from on behalf of the military as the final bastion of law and order," he said in a single sentence.
Among those who criticised him was Shamima Ali who leads Fiji's Rape Crisis Centre. Driti said she should "focus more on her field of work and stop babbling..."Her conclusion that the rise in such social crimes is due to the current political trend, is cheap and very nonsensical, because these crimes have a higher percentage rating in stable democratic countries the world over. "She should not waste her time trying to be an expert in politics even though we know that she is being paid to babble away with her nonsense," Driti said.
While some of these NGO's have used the media to further their own agendas, these celebrated icons must also take the blame for their own incompetence. Take for example, Shamima Ali's role in the Fiji Womens Crisis Centre, which at times takes a back seat role for her over indulgence in the political sphere.
It appears that Ali has been negligent on the job for the empowerment of women in the rural areas of Fiji, who are more in a crisis than their urban dwelling counterparts.
While the issue of Freedom of the media, may blur the contentious issues being raised by the Fiji Army; it does raise the argument about the limits to free speech; which some of these libertarians in Fiji have obfuscated. Croz Walsh's recent blog post highlights the static imbalance in Fiji Times articles.
While Fiji Media Council head, Daryl Tarte is quoted in Radio New Zealand online article:
“The media in Fiji, just as in Australia, is entitled to be be partisan if they want to be. It’s probably more dangerous to be partisan in Fiji than it is in Australia but the fact is that I think most media in Fiji are trying to report as objectively and in a balanced way as they can. It is very dangerous for them not to do so. And the examples of the recent attacks on the editor of the Fiji Times is evidence of this”
While media in Australia may be partisan, it does not give license for the Fiji media to adopt that same paltry excuse for unbalanced coverage. It is a fact, that Tarte has been a Pollyannic mouthpiece for the litany of ethical violations, committed by the Fiji media.
While the Fiji Media Council is currently under review, it also means that any remarks made by the current chair, is seen as operating under the old rules; despite the tabling of its much anticipated report, by the review team. The actual Fiji Media Council(FMC) 2009 Review Report (PDF).
Other recommendations, include a staff change, according Fiji Times article. Cafe Pacific blogger, David Robbie also addressed that issue is an earlier posting.
The excerpt of Fiji Times article:
Review urges staffing change
Thursday, March 19, 2009
A REVIEW committee on the Fiji Media Council has recommended that full-time staff listen to and discuss complaints against media organisations.
In their report on the Fiji Media Council, the review committee said it believed that the efficient running of the council could no longer be entrusted to unpaid, part-time volunteers. The committee recommended that paid workers were needed to discuss the complaints.
"Given the ambitious nature of the council's objectives, especially in its aim of improving the standards of the Fiji media, the council needs the services of an executive secretary who can serve a number of
functions," stated the report.
The report said a paid employee should be available at a known office address to provide complainants with someone whom they could discuss their complaints. It said having permanent staff would enable the council to maintain its website.
A report on the review of the Fiji Media Council says government has no place in the regulation of the media. Prepared by a three member team led by Jack Herman, and comprising of Suliana Siwatibau and Barrie Sweetman, the findings are based on submissions and oral interviews.
The report says, both the government and the Media Council need to work together. It further says despite the level of rhetoric from partisans on either side of the media-government adversarial relationship, it is the view of the Review that the Fiji Media Council has maintained a proper relationship with government. The Review's belief is that the government has no place in the regulation of the media. The report was tabled at yesterday’s Media Council meeting.
While SiFM does not cordone violence, it also recognizes the fact that some media outlets in Fiji are actually culpable in "falsely shouting fire in a crowded theater" and used their gate keeper role to silence dissenting opinions and artificially skew their content (articles, Letter to the Editor) potraying a one sided coin.
Even the UN has deliberating on a resoulution that limits free speech, according to Jerusalem Post article.
Fiji's Interim Prime Minister, Frank Bainmarama is reported in the local dailies, is in the midst of a second Indian sojourn; the current trip was funded by the Government of India.
Micheal Field, a disgraced New Zealand journalist and self declared expert of Pacific Island affairs, has published an article in Stuff magazine, titled "Fiji Abandons NZ for Indian Healthcare" insinuating that Bainimarama's real intention for the Indian trip was to seek medical care.
This medical reason, quoted by Field was loosely based on Bainimarama's alleged heart treatment at Wakefield hospital in Wellington, New Zealand. No source was offered by Field, to verify or fact check the article contents, with regards to the cost of health care contract for Fiji's military personnel. If Field's assertions on Bainimarama's treatment were to be true, this would mark a breach of patient confidentiality, by the hospital in question.
It would be rather selective on Field's part not to highlight the potential India has, in terms of world affairs. Unfortunately, what Field's article did accomplish was more of the same snarky cynicism used in drive-by-journalism.
Judging from Field's economical use of the truth as judged by the Broadcast Standards Authority of New Zealand, any information borne by Field should taken with a pinch of salt.
A government delegation is in India to negotiate a property made available for the construction of a new office in New Delhi where Fiji’s High Commissioner to India could work from. Interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama left for India yesterday accompanied by Public Service Commission Permanent Secretary Parmesh Chand for the talks.
According to an interim Government statement, the visit is a follow up on an earlier visit by Cdre Bainimarama in February, last year to inspect facilities at the Batra Hospital in New Delhi for overseas medical treatment of RFMF personnel. He will be in India until next Tuesday and is also accompanied by his wife, Mary and a personal security officer. The trip has been funded by the Government of India.
“In this visit, the interim Prime Minister will also take the opportunity to conclude discussions with the Government of India on the purchase of a property made available to Fiji for the construction of a Chancery in New Delhi,” the statement said.
“The subject property has been offered to Fiji in view of the strong and deepening bilateral relationship between the two countries at a hugely discounted price.”
Cdre Bainimarama in his capacity as acting interim Minister for Foreign, International Cooperation & Civil Aviation would also take the opportunity to meet the Minister for External Affairs of the Government of India, Shri Pranab Mukerjee. Ratu Epeli Ganilau will act as interim Prime Minister in his absence.
Unsurprising, the focus on India is not limited to Fiji. An audio documentary funded by Stanley Foundation's Rising Power series titled "India Rising" has added to the global interest in India's coming out party.
Brussels, 25 March 2009: A new report by the world’s largest trade union body, the ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation), on core labour standards in Fiji has been issued today to coincide with the Trade Policy Review of that country at the WTO. The actual report (PDF).
Recommendations by the Report.
The government of Fiji needs to put its legislation into conformity with ILO Conventions on trade unions’ rights.
The government should establish appropriate protective measures to prevent undue interference in trade union activities from the Registrar.
Staff working in prison or correctional services should have the right to organise.
The requirement that more than 50 per cent of the paid-up members vote in favour of a strike is too restrictive and is a substantial obstacle to the exercise of the right to strike. The legislation should be amended accordingly.
The government should ensure that no compulsory arbitration at the request of one of the parties or of the Ministry of Labour can be imposed to end a strike, except under the strict conditions provided for by the Convention.
Legislation should be enacted to prohibit employers from hiring strike breakers.
The government of Fiji should actively promote collective bargaining including in EPZs.
The legislation against discrimination needs to be amended so as to provide for the ILO concept of “equal pay for work of equal value”.
The government need to increase efforts and budget to tackle gender discrimination in employment and remuneration so as to improve women’s position on the labour market.
The government needs to fight income disparity among ethnic groups by promoting decent work for all.
The government of Fiji must amend its legislation so as to make sure that children below 15 years of age are not admitted to employment.
The government of Fiji must strengthen the protection of children and young persons from hazardous work by determining, after consultation with the social partners, a comprehensive list of hazardous occupations and activities.
The government of Fiji should establish systematic monitoring on child labour with special attention to the informal sector and low-income communities.
The government of Fiji must investigate allegations of children being trafficked.
In line with the commitments accepted by Fiji at the Singapore, Geneva, and Doha WTO Ministerial Conference and its obligations as a member of the ILO, the Government of Fiji should provide regular reports to the WTO and the ILO on its legislative changes and implementation of all the core labour standards.
The WTO should draw to the attention of the authorities of Fiji the commitments they undertook to observe core labour standards at the Singapore and Doha Ministerial Conferences. The WTO should request the ILO to intensify its work with the Government of Fji in these areas and provide a report to the WTO General Council on the occasion of the next trade policy review.
KEVIN Rudd will land in Washington today and encounter an atmosphere vastly different to that of a year ago when he first visited as Prime Minister. Then, George Bush was president, Barack Obama was fighting Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination, and the global economic crisis was barely a blip on the radar.
Whether or not the issue of Fiji comes to the forefront of discussion is any one's guess. However the subject of the global economy will undoubtedly be the centre piece of the agenda, coupled with Australia's commitment to provide troops for the surge in Afghanistan.
Australian casualities have risen recently and whether the nation in general has an appetite for more will certainly factor in to the calculus; against the back drop of disdain, for any continuation of John Howard's policies.
UPDATE (Events since the main post was written) In the early hours of Sunday morning, 22 March, the homes of (former Colonel) Sakiusa Raivoce, a security firm recruiter for Iraq , and Fiji Times chief editor Netani Rika were attacked by molotov cocktails (bottles filled with an inflammatory liquid, and fitted with a wick).
In a feature, "PM's Office in Damage Control as PNG Queries Insults," the Fiji Times reports anger in PNG after it was reported the "[Fiji] interim administration rubbished the integrity of former PNG prime minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu after rejecting him to be chief mediator at the upcoming President's Political Dialogue Forum."
Q.C. Clive Grossman, a member of the International Bar Association, said the report contains grave misstatements, is highly misleading and above all no attempts have apparently been made to verify any of the facts from sources other than from Fatiaki's solicitor Graham Leung.
PORT MORESBY—Fijian leaders have rejected former Papua New Guinea prime minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu as chairman of an election taskforce because he is a "puppet of Australia and New Zealand
David Robie's blog, "Cafe Pacific" recent posting covers one of the recent posting by Croz Walsh, who focuses the spotlight of attention at the Fiji media itself, in their reportage of the news cycle.
There are some parallel issues between the attempt by Croz Walsh's blog, to scrutinize the media in Fiji and Jon Stewart. Both draw attention to the media's ethical responsibility to provide truthful facts to a particular story; as opposed to dressing up slanted opinions, as the gospel truth.
In actual fact, the media in the US are currently being scrutinized for their role in reporting on the economy. Media Matters.org also reviews the media in a recent post titled "The Media's Deliberate Stupidity".
One of the most honest watcher of media stories, comes from America's prominent comedian, Jon Stewart whose popular progam "The Daily Show" is itself a parody of a news presentation.
Jon Stewart recently interviewed CNBC host Jim Cramer, in an excellent segement called Brawl Street, examining the media's role in financial reporting.
In what John Key has described as sending “a strong message” Pacific Forum leaders voted earlier this year to suspend Fiji from the Forum unless the interim government sets an election date before May 1.
'The western nations' continuing tough stand on Fiji will not only draw Fiji closer to the Asian powers, notably China, but also the other Pacific Islands nations that are eligible to draw down aid from the allocated US$600 million.
DR Roman Grynberg says initiatlly the Forum and its secretariat, then called the South Pacific Economic Community, was there to provide technical assistance to the islands, hand out small bits of cash for training and workshops and to service the annual meetings of leaders.
