Two attacks on cabbies per day

Two attacks on cabbies per day

Tue, 6 Feb 2001 08:51:48 +1200

PEOPLE'S COALITION GOVERNMENT, FIJI Issue No: 448 6 February 2001

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Two attacks on cabbies per day

Fiji police has reported that on average two taxi drivers are attacked per day. Today's Fiji Times revealed the Police statistics and stated that taxi drivers are now forming vigilante groups to defend themselves.

The paper reported that the taxi drivers are frustrated with the inaction of the police in investigating and apprehending the thugs. "Drivers say police are helpless and cannot curb violence against them", the newspaper stated. Cabbies also expressed concern at the lenient sentences given to the thugs caught.

Violent crime has increased significantly in Fiji since May 19. A vast majority of those involved are ethnic Fijian youth in the Suva-Nausori areas. The demonstration effect of the lack of respect for law and order, particularly from people with positions of influence in the Tailevu, Rewa and Naitasiri provinces during the terrorist crisis, is now being felt in the central division. The lack of reprimand which perpetrators of crime, particularly those in important positions like sections of the police and the military, is a strong signal to the young that it is alright to beat, raid and rob people who earn their living through hard work.

Meanwhile the Fiji Women's Rights Movement has called on the interim regime to abide by the law. Today's Fiji Sun reported the Movement saying that one of the main elements of the rule of law is to ensure that those in authority do not make up their own laws but must govern according to established laws.

The Movement's reference was to the Qarase regime's attempt to change numerous legislation, including entrenched legislation like those dealing with land leases.

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