Fiji President Grants Immunity To Coup-sters

Monday, 22 January 2007, 9:28 am
Article: Pacific Media Watch

Fiji President Grants Immunity To Those Involved In The December Coup

http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=29592

SUVA (RNZI Online/Pacific Media Watch) - Fiji’s president and commander-in-chief has issued a decree granting full and unconditional immunity to all those who played a part in last month’s coup to oust the Qarase government.

Fiji TV reports that the immunity covers the military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, all regular and reserve force officers and troops, the police force and all those who acted under their directions.

President Iloilo’s decree gives them immunity from prosecution in all civil and criminal proceedings as well as any disciplinary and professional charges that might be brought.

The immunity decree comes as aggrieved parties are threatening to take their grievances to court.

The interim Attorney-General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khayum, says there is provision for compensation for those who may have suffered unlawful injuries at the hands of the military.

He says anyone wanting to mount legal action may do so but the courts will be the final arbiter.

Commodore Bainimarama says all allegations of human rights abuse will be investigated, adding that people taken in for questioning were those who repeatedly defied warnings.

+++niuswire

PACIFIC MEDIA WATCH ONLINE
http://www.pmw.c2o.org

World Headlines

WORLD > >

Sarawak:First Pictures From Sealed-Off Bakun Dam Zone

Exclusive: First Pictures From Sealed-Off Bakun Dam Zone Reveal Social And Environmental Disaster Bruno Manser Fund investigation in the Bakun dam’s exclusion zone shows increased poverty due to Malaysia’s disaster dam – Displaced indigenous communities ... More>>

Richard S Ehrlich: Alleged Bangkok Iranian Bomb-Makers Arrested

Malaysia arrested on Wednesday an alleged member of an Iranian bomb-making gang who plotted to assassinate Israeli diplomats, one day after he fled Bangkok where their house exploded and another Iranian had destroyed his own legs ... More>>

ALSO:

TV3 Video - Thai police say third Iranian involved in blasts fled - Israel: Blast in Bangkok linked to Iran

U.S. Politics: STOCK Act Passes House - 'Political Intelligence' Omission

The U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the STOCK Act today, which omits disclosure requirements for "political intelligence" workers that were included in the version of the bill passed by the Senate last week ( S 2038). More>>

Exhibition - West Papuan Women of Resistance: Dear Friends Of Art And West Papua

You are invited to what is perhaps a unique exhibition featuring women of West Papua in their living response to the suppression of human rights and freedom under Indonesian occupation and military brutality over the past fifty years. More>>

U.S. Politics: David Swanson: The Election We Should Be Following

For progressives and populists around the country who take an interest in Congressional races there are always a few good challengers we might hope to send to Washington. Incumbents, we assume, can take care of themselves. But in Northern Ohio, redistricting ... More>>

Greenpeace: Industry Figures Confirm GM Food Is European Commercial Flop

Annual industry figures to be released on Tuesday are expected to confirm the commercial failure of genetically modified (GM) food in Europe, said Greenpeace. Only around 0.06% of the EU’s agricultural land was used in 2011 to grow GM food, the report ... More>>

Asia: IFJ Press Freedom In China Campaign Bulletin

1. China’s New Clampdown: Press Freedom in China 2011 2. Senior Newspaper Staff Sacked for Reporting Inflation Concerns in China 3. Journalist Attacked in Taiwan 4. Dissident Writer Yu Jie Flees to the United States 5. Writer Li Tei Sentenced ... More>>

Women’s Rights: 2,000 African Communities Abandon Female Genital Mutilation

New York, Feb 6 2012 1:10PM A new United Nations report shows that almost 2,000 communities across Africa abandoned female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) last year, prompting calls for a renewed global push to end this harmful practice once and for all. More>>

Connie Lawn: Newt Gingrich Wins In South Carolina

Former House speaker Newt Gingrich gives his victory speech in Columbia after winning the South Carolina primary with 40% of the vote. Runner-up Mitt Romney pledges to fight for Republican nomination in 'long race', while third-placed Rick Santorum says of Gingrich: 'He kicked butt. I'm proud of him.' Ron Paul finished fourth ... More >>