Fiji: Military Intimidation and Beatings of Union Officials

Fiji: Military Intimidation and Beatings of Union Officials

Brussels, 2 March 2011 (ITUC OnLine): The ITUC and Global Union
Federations ITF and IUF have reacted strongly to intimidation and
physical attacks against Felix Anthony, General Secretary of the Fiji
Trade Union Congress and against other officials from FTUC affiliates.
Anthony is also General Secretary of the Sugar Workers' Union which is
affiliated to the ITF and the IUF. On 12 February, Anthony was taken
from his home by 3 uniformed military officers and subjected to threats
whilst being driven around the back roads of Lautoka for some 2 hours.
His family, including children, were also threatened.

On 18 February, Anthony and other union officials from the sugar
industry were called to meet the Fijian Prime Minister at a sugar mill
in Ba, on the western side of Fiji. The union representatives were
subsequently assaulted by military officers while still at the mill,
then taken to Namaka military barracks and subjected to further
beatings. As they were released from the barracks, they were again
threatened with further violence.

"We have asked the International Labour Organisation to intervene with
the Fiji authorities, and will be monitoring the situation very closely.
This kind of behaviour from the Fiji regime is totally unacceptable, and
is a serious violation of fundamental trade union rights," said ITUC
General Secretary Sharan Burrow.

ENDS

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