Call for Fiji to Reverse Tuivaga's ICC Appointment

Fiji Women’s Rights Movement

The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement calls on the Fiji Government to withdraw the nomination of Sir Timoci Tuivaga for a position of judge on the International Criminal Court (ICC).

During on-going elections, which are being held in New York from 3-7 February 2003, the Fiji candidate has not been faring well. Sir Timoci polled a total of 14 votes in the first round of elections (third lowest), seven votes in the second round (the lowest) and six votes in the third round (second lowest).

In comparison, the other Pacific nominee, Tuiloma Neroni Slade of Samoa, polled 34 votes in the first round, 30 votes in the second ballot and 33 votes in the third ballot. The Movement therefore calls on the Fiji Government to withdraw the nomination of Sir Timoci Tuivaga, in order to preserve his dignity, and support the Samoan nominee so as to ensure that at least one Pacific Island Country is represented on the ICC.

Belgium, Benin, DRC, Gambia, Mongolia, Peru, Portugal, Tanzania and Uganda, some of which polled a greater number of votes than the Fiji candidate, have withdrawn their candidacies.

For the sake of solidarity and the advancement of the Pacific, FWRM trusts that the Fiji Government will immediately withdraw its nominee. Keeping Sir Timoci until the round when he does not poll more than one vote, that from his own country, would not be in the interest of Fiji or the Pacific as a whole.

© Scoop Media