Pacific Islands Forum Communique Welcomed by Fiji Democracy

The Fiji Democracy and Freedom Movement welcomes the Pacific Islands Forum Communique

The Fiji Democracy & Freedom Movement is delighted to have the pleasure of reading the communique of the Forum and in particular the parts of that communique which touch and concern Fiji.

The Movement notes with gratitude the unanimous understanding of Forum members as to the true position in Fiji. The Forum members unanimously share continuing deep concern for the deteriorating human rights situation in Fiji, as does the Movement. An appreciation of the extent of human rights abuses in Fiji is essential to the mapping of a path forward for Fiji. The Movement of course takes no pleasure in the unsavoury situation which has created the need for such understanding. It views with abhorrence and repugnance the practices of the current regime which give rise to the situation to be considered. But, without a full understanding of the depth of human rights abuses by the current regime, there is no way forward.

The Movement is gratified that the attempts by the regime to divert the attention of Forum members by a spurious popularity poll have also failed. That poll, touted by one Akuila Yabaki at the Forum, verbally and via pamphlet, was cited to show asserted 60-65% popularity for the current regime. The poll is of course spurious because no human being living under the reign of terror currently in force in Fiji can freely speak his or her mind on anything, let alone in responding to a poll. Such poll is hardly supported by those Fiji citizens tortured and abused by the regime or their friends and families, let alone those cowering under the threat which the Army poses. (It is indeed the Army in Fiji which is the only true Public Emergency). The poll would be equivalent to one taken in Nazi Germany. Indeed the alleged success rate of the poll is dismal for a military dictatorship.

Those who took the poll in conditions currently prevailing in Fiji must live in a fantasy world if they really believe that the poll has any value other than as scrap paper.

The Movement also notes that the deceptive promise by the regime of 2014 elections has not diverted the Forum. That promise of course is meaningless for the simple reason that the regime cannot afford any free and fair election, since same would inevitably result in the investigation, prosecution and incarceration of its leaders. The regime may in due course engage in a farce comprising unfree and unfair elections leading to election of itself, its quislings and sycophants but that is all.It should be noted that the alleged Attorney General has already boasted in the Military Council of drumming up charges to keep out of contention political leaders with whom the regime does not agree and to drag such cases out to ensure that they never stand. The alleged Prime Minister has endorsed that step. Further, the regime in all its dealings towards eg the churches, the unions and the provincial councils (to name but a few) and also in regard to the entire population of Fiji has been basically undemocratic.

It is hoped that any election promise by the regime continues to be treated with the contempt which it deserves.

The Movement finally notes the features in which the current regime is lacking eg as to respect for democracy, good governance and the rule of law. The regime can best remedy those defects by the Army returning unconditionally to barracks, dissolution of the regime and investigation and trial of its leaders, and handing over the electoral process not to an "independent"body chosen by the Army but to a truly independent body.

ENDS

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