Impunity Watch: Oceania

UN Denies PNG Refugee Requests for Resettlement; Nauru’s Influential Former President Dies; Two Plead Guilty to Human Trafficking in Mariana Islands

By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea -- Despite requests for resettlement, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has announced that there is no rush to remove the roughly 100 Papuan refugees currently squatting in Papua New Guinea’s capital. 

The refugees have accused the UNHCR of neglecting the group’s needs. The UNHCR, meanwhile, has explained that Papua New Guinea has a plan for the refugees to remain in the country.

Within the last 9 months, the group has moved from different locations throughout Port Moresby. Currently the 100 are squatting in a Boroko public park. Richard Towle, a regional representative for UNHCR, explains that, similar to the 10,000 Papuan refugees currently residing in PNG, this relatively small group has little to complain about:

    “But they have refugee status, they are safe. there’s absolutely no suggestion of forced return to Indonesia. We’re satisfied that the basic principles of international protection are being fully met here. Certainly there’s a sympathy that we have for a small group of people that can’t find a place to live. I think there are some solutions that need to be explored. We’re happy to work with government and with this group to try and find them in PNG.”

Meanwhile, local NGO activist,  Richard Brunton, has painted a different picture. According to Brunton, the elderly and children refugees are suffering the most due to poor living conditions among the camps: 

    “[F]or the past three or four days, real problems with sanitation and water. I’ve not seen one visit by UNHCR, Provincial Affairs, Foreign Affairs, even the Governor of the city, nobody’s been down here to check out their conditions or hear the concerns about their safety and not having a place to stay.”

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International -- Papuan refugees in PNG don’t need resettlement, says UNHCR -- 06 July 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Concern voiced for welfare of Papuan refugees in Port Moresby -- 04 July 2008

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YAREN, Nauru -- Controversial former President of Nauru, Rene Harris, has passed away at the age of 61. A state funeral was held shortly after his death.

President Harris had been an influential member of Nauru’s Parliament, having served for 31 years. He had also served as president for a total of 4 years between 1999 and 2004.

In particular, Mr. Harris was known for supporting the controversial “Pacific Solution.” As part of this “solution,” the Australian government had introduced a detainment center which soon employed roughly ten per cent of Nauru’s population. The program was aimed at keeping asylum seekers off Australian turf by detaining 1,637 refugees on nearby Nauru and Manus islands. The policy garnered global attention in 2001 when Aghan refugees were offloaded on Nauru, and in 2004, when several detainees went on a hunger strike and sewed their mouths shut to protest their incarceration.

Despite the Pacific Solution’s widespread criticism, Foreign Minister and member of Mr. Harris’s opposing party, Kieren Keke, remembered the former President as an influential and tough politician.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International -- Former President of Nauru Rene Harris dies -- 06 July 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Nauru’s former President remembered as strong willed but amicable person -- 07 July 2008

Sydney Morning Herald -- Nauru 'Pacific Solution' president dead -- 06 July 2008

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SAIPAN, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands -- A Guam man pled guilty to allegations that he was involved in the trafficking of women from Chuuk, Micronesia from April 2006 to January 14, 2008. The man is one of two men recently charged with criminal conspiracy related to human trafficking.

In total, nine women from Chuuk were brought to Guam to work at a place called the Blue House bar. In their pleas, Saknin Weira and Freuda Eseun admitted to recruiting, enticing, transporting, and getting women to perform sex acts for money, the Marianas Variety reported. In addition, the owner’s of Blue House bar, Song Ja Cha and Han Cha, will be charged with conspiracy, sex trafficking, coercion, and enticement to travel for the purpose of prostitution. 

Weria and Eseun plead guilty to Chief Judge Francis Tydingco-Gatewood, from a U.S. District Court of Guam. The Marianas Variety had reported that one of the men who pled guilty is mentally challenged.

For more information, please see:
Marianas Variety -- Second Bar Worker Pleads Guilty In Human Trafficking Case -- 07 July 2008

Australian Diplomat Receives Third Death Threat; High Court Approves Investigative Power of FICAC; Australian Journalists Should Be Allowed Visas

By Ryan L. Maness
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji -- Australia’s foreign Minister Stephen Smith received a death threat on June 27, the third such threat that the diplomat has received in the last few months.  Describing the death threat, Smith said it was serious credible and offensive. 

Tension has mounted between the Australian government and the Fiji's interim government about the appropriate response to the threats.  Australia has requested that federal police personnel be allowed to enter Fiji to beef up Smith's security detail, but Fiji said that no Australian police officers will be allowed into the country.  Fiji police spokesman Ema Mua said that local Fiji police were available upon request, insisting that local authorities were sufficient to deal with the death threats. 

Minister Smith is now on leave in Australia and has been since receipt of the last death threat in May.

For more information, please see:

Fiji Times -- No requests received by police -- 03 July 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji refuses to allow Australian police to protect High Commissioner -- 30 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Australia's Fiji High Commissioner receives third death threat -- 30 June 2008

 

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SUVA, Fiji -- The interim government came to power in December 2005 under a promise, among other things, to weed out corruption from Fiji's government.  A central instrument to this policy is the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption, which was designed to investigate and prosecute public bodies.  While promulgated by the interim government, it was an open question until this week about what the future of FICAC and whether it was legal.  This week, however, a Fiji High Court has confirmed that FICAC has the power to carry out investigations and prosecute those that it finds evidence against. 

The Commission’s deputy commissioner, George Langman, said, "I’m glad that the court has finally come out with that. It hasn't stopped our investigations we have continued to investigate and charge public officials. We are at the moment investigating a number of public bodies."  Langman also said that twenty-two public officials and two business men have faced charges of corruption.  More indictments are expected to be handed down soon.

The future is still somewhat uncertain though because the full powers of FICAC are dependent on the legality of the interim government.  As such, if ousted Prime Minister Lasenia Qarase is successful in his suit challenging the legality of the interim government then FICAC will not be allowed to operate.

For more information, please see:
Fiji Daily Post -- FICAC to charge more -- 30 June 2008

FijiVillage -- Lawyers to Appeal Judge's Decision -- 30 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji court confirms power of Commission against Corruption -- 29 June 2008

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SUVA, Fiji -- Over the past several weeks the Fiji Media Council and the interim government have been trading comments, with the government hinting that governmental regulation of the media might be necessary and with the Media Council denouncing any such regulation.  It is in this atmosphere that many international observers have begun to worry about the media's independence in Fiji.  This is why it has come as a welcome relief to the Fiji Media Council and others that Fiji has decided to consider giving visas to a group of Australian journalists. 

The journalists, from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, had originally been denied visas by the interim government when they had requested to enter Fiji after reporting on the Festival of Pacific Arts in American Somoa.  Explaining the reason for the refusal, acting Deputy Secretary of the Department of Information Major Neumi Leweni, said, ""Some reporters from abroad and, the decision has been made and I don’t think I should really been explaining it, because the decision halews been made and Fiji is a sovereign country and decides on who comes in, and that’s it."

This position has now shifted, however, as reports from the interim government suggest that the journalists will be allowed in after all.  According to Leweni, he had spoken to ABC's director of international relations and has gotten a better idea of ABC's mission in Fiji.  This lack of clarity, the Fiji Times reports, was the reason why the visas were to be denied in the first place.  Now Leweni has said that, "We are in the process of advising proper authorities regarding the granting of their visa."  While not definite, this indicates that it is likely that the reporters will be allowed in.

For more information, please see:
Fiji Times -- Visa for journos -- 01 July 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji rejection of Australian journalists described as unacceptable -- 29 June 2008

FBCL -- Reporters likely to get green light to enter Fiji -- 29 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Reporters likely to get green light to enter Fiji -- 27 June 2008

Fiji Times -- Foreign journalists may face ban -- 27 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji suggests more journalists' ban over unspecified negative reporting -- 26 June 2008

Fiji Suspends Talks with Working Group; Fiji Media Wary of Regulation; Newspaper Publishers' Removal Overdue, FHRC Says

By Ryan L. Maness
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji --Despite calls from the Pacific Island Forum not to do so, Fiji has suspended suspended talks with the Forum Joint Working Group.  After the suspension the Ministry of Information acting deputy secretary, Major Neumi Leweni, was unequivocal that talks had not been terminated, only that they were suspended for the moment.  The suspension arose after the government of New Zealand imposed a travel ban against businessman Robin Storck soon after his appointment as chief executive of Fijian Holdings Limited.  New Zealand has been categorical in imposing travel bans against anyone associated with the interim government; however, when pulling out of the Working Group, interim Prime Minister Bainimarama credited the "hypocritical" stance of New Zealand and Australia. 

The other members of the working group have expressed their hope that the dialogue with Fiji will renew and a path to return Fiji to democracy will be charted.  The chairman of the group. Tonga’s Prime Minister Dr Feleti Sevele. has called on Bainimarama to return to the table for next month's scheduled meeting, despite his absence from the meeting this past week.  Without Fiji's presence in the working group, Sevele said, there isn't much point for continuing to meet.  Sevele went on to say that, while he hoped Fiji would return, he was sure that they will have conditions for coming back."

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has said that the travel bans will not be relaxed from their current configuration. 

For more information, please see:
Fijilive -- Travel bans remain, NZ tells Fiji -- 29 June 2008

Fijilive -- Pacific Forum chair pushes Fiji to rejoin -- 29 June 2008

Fiji Times -- Remain engaged in dialogue, Fiji urged -- 26 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- New Zealand Foreign Minister hoping for re-engagement with Fiji regime next month -- 26 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Chair of Pacific Forum says Fiji must be encouraged to return to dialogue -- 26 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Uncertainty over Fiji/Forum meeting after Fiji boycott -- 26 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji's interim Prime Minister suspends talks with Forum Joint Working Group -- 22 June 2008

 

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SUVA, Fiji -- Daryl Tarte, the chairman of the Fiji Media Council, says that the media in Fiji is under severe threat of governmental regulation.  Speaking at the launch of the Media and Developement Book this week, Tarte said that statutory regulation would harm Fiji's media and that it would be better to have the media regulate itself.  The Fiji Media Council recently met with the interim PM, but Tarte said that he is looking forward to another meeting. 

Perhaps worrying to those who oppose governmental media regulation, on 22 June members of the Fiji police began investigating an interview done for Close Up program to determine whether or not inciteful comments were made by  Suva Lawyer Rajendra Chaudhry and Close Up Show Host, Anish Chand.  The Fiji Police said that they received credible information that the tape contained inciteful comments, but have not yet taken either Chaudhry or Chand in for questioning.  The tape containing the interview was not played prior to the police seizure, but neither has it been returned to the television station, despite requests that it be.

For more information, please see:
Fiji Times -- Police keep tape -- 27 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji Media Council says media independence threatened -- 24 June 2008

Fiji Times -- Media faces State wrath -- 24 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji Media Council Chair says media faces threat of regulation -- 23 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji police probe Fiji TV programme -- 23 June 2008

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SUVA, Fiji -- The Fiji Human Rights Commission created a report, which was leaked to the Sunday Star Times, which dealt with the recent deportations of newspaper publishers Evan Hannah and Russell Hunter.  According to the report, the deportation of the two men was not only appropriate, but actually long overdue.  In finding that none of Hannah or Hunter's rights were breached, it went on to saw that both men, as well as New Zealand High Commissioner in Fiji Michael Green, were making persistent attacks on the administration of Justice in Fiji.  According to the report, although Green was made persona non grata in Fiji last year, he continues to interfere in Fiji's internal affairs. 

The New Zealand government has denied any attempts to infiltrate the Fijian government or to interfere with the administration of justice. 

The report was commissioned after ousted opposition leader Mick Beddoes filed a complaint with the FHRC. 

Opposition leaders in Fiji have condemned the findings in the report.  Beddoes told Radio Fiji that the substance of the report was in large part irrelevant to what he had originally asked about.  He also said, "I'm deeply concerned that someone who must administer matters concerning the rights of people in this country has such an obvious leaning toward a particular political party and to the government."

For more information, please see:
Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited -- Military looks into FHRC report -- 25 June 2008

Fiji Times -- Commission report irrelevant: Beddoes -- 25 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Editor of Fiji Times expresses renewed concern over Human Rights Commission -- 22 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji's ousted opposition leader says report into deportation backs backs move of military regime -- 22 June 2008

Fijilive -- NZ diplomat interfering in Govt, Fiji claims -- 22 june 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji's Human Rights Commission claims interim regime right to deport publishers -- 20 June 2008

Marianas Islands’ Governor to Sue U.S. Over Immigration Law; Public Employee Union in Solomons May Strike Friday; UPDATE: $6 Million Needed to End Blackouts in Saipan

By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SAIPAN, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands -- Northern Mariana Islands Governor, Benigno R. Fitial, is preparing to sue the U.S. Federal government over labor provisions in the federal immigration law.

In a pre-recorded statement, Fitial argued that the U.S. is imposing a new immigration law that violates the document set up between the two countries describing the U.S. and the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) political relationship, or the “Covenant.” By its terms, the Covenant ensures CNMI the right to self-government, and provides that the U.S. promote the CNMI’s economic growth and development.

Fitial’s main concern is that the new immigration law will violate the U.S.’s commitment to the CNMI through the Covenant. The current cap on foreign workers allowed in CNMI has hurt major construction projects, and many foreign investors have backed out of projects due to the uncertainty of CNMI’s workforce.

The new immigration law calls for 20,000 foreign workers in CNMI to obtain federal visas by at least December 31, 2014. At present, very few foreign workers hold U.S. working visas, and the fear is that these workers will no longer qualify once the federalization law is in place.

“Let me be clear. We do not question the authority of the Congress to apply the existing federal immigration laws that apply to every other part of the United States except American Samoa. We agreed to that in the Covenant. Our complaint focuses on the labor provisions of the legislation, which are not, and never have been part of the federal immigration laws,” Fitial said.

Fitial plans on suing unless his attorneys in a U.S. based firm advise him otherwise.

For more information, please see:
Pacific Magazine -- Governor To Challenge Washington Takeover In Courts -- 25 June 2008

Saipan Tribune -- Fitial poised to sue US govt -- 25 June 2008

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HONIARA, Solomon Islands -- Public servants are planning a nation-wide strike Friday in response to dissatisfaction with Prime Minister, Derek Sikua’s government.

A Solomon Islands Public Employees Union (SIPEU) is behind the proposed strike. According to a SIPEU representative, the Union is upset with the Government ministers’ performance. The Union is demanding a 49 percent wage increase, and has given the government 14 days to address their concerns.

Paul Belande, general secretary to SIPEU, confirmed that public servants will walk off their jobs this Friday in a nationwide strike.

"[T]he current government miserably failed to fulfill some of its planned obligations which we, the workers, will feel and know if a certain government is not actively driving things forward,” Belande said.

Some sources have said workers will walk off their jobs Thursday. If demands are not met, a full strike will take place Friday.

For more information, please see:
Solomon Star News -- Gov’t workers say they’ll walk off jobs Friday -- 25 June 2008

Solomon Star News -- Govt Workers Planning National Strike, Newspaper Reports -- 20 June 2008

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SAIPAN, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands -- An international leasing firm will put in a bid for $6 million to end electricity outages that have plagued Saipan.

Aggreko, an International firm from the Netherlands, will provide 15 units of one-megawatt generators, personnel, and materials as part of a one-year contract for $6 million. In return, the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation (CUC) will run the generators on its own diesel fuel.

Poorly maintained generators and finance troubles have plagued the CUC, and by extension has troubled residents for some time. The new generators will arrive from Singapore in roughly 26 days and should provide a stable source of electricity to residents.

For more information, please see:
Saipan Tribune -- $6M Deal To Lease Power Generators For Saipan -- 24 June 2008

Bainimarama and Qarase Meet Again; UPDATE: Questions Arise Over Evan Hannah's Removal Order; New Independent Chair of PCPP Appointed

By Ryan L. Maness
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji -- On Tuesday interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and ousted PM Lasenia Qarase met for the second time to discuss the way forward for Fiji.  While the two have been trading barbs with one another about the future of Fiji since the military coup a year and a half ago, a statement issued after the talk emphasized "the great importance of constructive forward-looking dialogue, including the efforts that are now needed aimed at healing and reconciliation at the national level." 

The primary topics of the talk was the People's Charter, a road map for change and a plan for reconciling the division of the nation.  Observers described the talk as candid. 

Also present in the talks were Methodist Reverend Laisiasa Ratabacaca and the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Fiji, Archbishop Petero Mataca.  Fiji Times reports that the four leaders urged that civic, community and religious organizations would need to work together to move Fiji forward. 

While no specific time line was established for another meeting, the Fiji Times reports that another meeting is expected. 

For more information, please see:
Fiji Village -- Rev Ratabacaca impressed with Interim PM, Qarase Meet -- 18 June 2008

Fiji Times -- Peace talks -- 18 June 2008

Pacific Magazine -- Bainimarama and Qarase Meet Again, in Suva -- 18 June 2008

Fiji Times -- Ousted PM questions reference terms -- 18 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Bainimarama and Qarase meet to focus on moving Fiji  forward -- 17 June 2008

Fiji Village -- Interim PM, Qarase Meet -- 17 June 2008

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SUVA, Fiji -- A dispute arose as Tuesday in the Court of Appeal in the deportation case of Evan Hannah.  Jon Apted, Hannah's lawyer, said that neither he nor his client had even seen the deportation order that was issued in the case and that the document had never been presented before the court.  Solicitor General Christopher Pryde explained that the reason for this was that the Immigration Minister, Ratu Epeli Ganilau, only issued an "oral order". 

The controversy did not stop there.  While the permanent Immigration Secretary did eventually generate a form securing Hannah's deportation, Apted argues that the interim government did not follow the law in issuing the order.  Under the Immigration Act of 2003, a person can only be deported seven days after service of a removal order.  Solicitor General Pryde says that Hannah was eligible for immediate deportation and that the interim government had simply used the wrong form.

Evan Hannah was expelled from Fiji by the interim government in April of this year.  According to Immigration Minister Ratu Epeli Ganilau, Hannah's deportation was based on his opinion that Hannah was a threat to Fiji's national security.

For more information, please see:
Fiji Times -- Lawyer disputes order -- 18 June 2008

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited -- Wrong form issued -- 17 June 2008

Fiji Village -- Hannah Lawyer Yet to Sight Deportation Order -- 17 June 2008

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SUVA, Fiji -- Fiji President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, announced this week that Sela Molisa will be the new chairperson of the independent monitoring group for the People's Charter for Progress and Peace.

The role of the chairman is to monitor the activities of the People's Charter and provide reports to the President about its progress.  Specifically, Molisa is meant to report on the transparency, robustness and integrity of the process of the People's Charter. 

Radio New Zealand International reports that Molisa was surprised to have been headhunted for this role.  He did not apply for the role and was reportedly shocked to have it offered to him. 

Molisa is taking over for Geert van der Linden who resigned as chair last month.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International -- Newly appointed Fiji People's Charter Monitoring Group chair prepared for difficult role -- 13 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Vanuatu MP appointed chair of Independent  Monitoring Group on Fiji charter -- 13 June 2008

Opposition in Solomons Pushes Accountability After Woman’s Death; Niue Donor Funds Were Misused; Foreign Workers in Saipan Rally for Better Treatment

By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

HONIARA, Solomon Islands -- Opposition leader, Manasseh Sogavare, says that a law should be changed to discourage government impunity and encourage transparency and accountability. Sogavare’s recommendation follows the death of a woman who was hit by two Samoan officers reportedly intoxicated while driving.                            

On Friday, the two officers for the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) struck and killed Hilda Ilabae, a trainee nurse. Members of RAMSI offered their condolences to Ms. Ilabae’s family, and transport and supplies for the burial was provided. 

Sogavare’s criticism is that under the Facilitation Act, RAMSI is not held accountable under the Solomons law.  Sogavare said, “. . .right now they [RAMSI] are in fact quite a privileged group of people in the whole of our country. They can break our laws and get away with it. There is a procedure that outlines that they can be dealt with in their own country but there is no assurance, there is no guarantee that that will happen.”

For more information, please see:
Pacific Magazine -- RAMSI Commander, Official Bury Solomon Islander Killed In Accident -- 16 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Solomons opposition queries RAMSI immunity after fatal road incident -- 16 June 2008

Solomon Times Online -- Prime Minister of Samoa Apologizes for Death of Young Nurse -- 16 June 2008

ABC, Radio Australia -- Regret from RAMSI over death of woman in Honiara -- 16 June 2008

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ALOFI, Niue -- A financial report to the Niue government has revealed that donor funds were misused in order to supplement government funds. As a result, the misallocation of funds has caused many special projects to go unfinished.

Treasury officials found that roughly $650,000 has prevented the use of donor funds through the creation of “separate bank accounts." The report recommends increasing government revenue by more rigorously pursuing tax defaulters and adjusting the collection of import duties. Officials have also reported that revenue from port charges is down due to other expenditures.

The Niue Government has halted the flow of imported goods until full, realistic appraisals of their value are made.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International -- Officials say Niue using donor funds to prop up Government finances -- 16 June 2008

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SAIPAN, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands -- Last week, U.S. federal officials were on hand in Saipan to address rallying foreign workers’ concerns.

The rally was meant to address the need for improved immigration statuses as well as $6.1 million in back claims for unpaid wages and damages owed to hundreds of aliens. The Human Dignity Movement encouraged workers to gather at the American Memorial Park in order to help bring these immigration issues to light.

Among the requests, Jerry Custodio, president to the Human Dignity Movement, has asked, “federal officials for fair protection and treatment, justice to long-term workers, payment of unpaid wages in Labor administrative orders and for improved immigration status.” 

For more information, please see:
Saipan Tribune -- Foreign Workers To Rally For Better Status -- 10 June 2008

Fiji's Instability Necessitates Moving Crime Headquarters; EU Bans Fiji's Fish Due to Poor Monitoring; American Report Chides Fiji's Inaction to Prevent Human Trafficking

By Ryan L. Maness

Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Fiji

SUVA, Fiji -- Bob Debus, the Australian Minister for Home Affairs, has closed the office of the Transnational Crime Coordination Centre (PTCCC) that was located in Suva and will reopen it in Apia, Somoa.  The PTCCC, which is an organization design to investigate transnational crime in the Pacific, closed its office in Fiji due to Fiji's political instability. 

According to the SDL party, the opposition party to Fiji's interim government, the move comes as no surprise.  The SDL’s National Director, Peceli Kinivuwai, said, "I think the member countries who make up the Transnational Crime Centre they also very much champion the rule of law and it would be ironic if they have that Centre here while at the same time we cannot solve our political differences - we still have political instabilities and economic decline."

Ema Mua, a spokeswoman for Fiji's police, said that the decision was premature.  According to Mua, while human trafficking must be dealt with, Fiji's political situation should not affect the work of the center. 

For more information, please see:

Fiji Times -- Crime office to reopen -- 10 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Somoa's PM opens Pacific Trans-national crime co-ordination centre -- 10 June 2008

Fiji Times -- New crimes a reality -- 09 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji's main political party says loss of international policing agency, no surprise -- 09 June 2008

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SUVA, Fiji -- Following an inspection team's examination of Fiji's fishing industry last year, the European Union has decided to ban the importation of fish from Fiji.  The EU's trade adviser in Fiji, Andrea Salviati, said that she believed that the fish carried health risks for the citizens of Europe and that is why the ban was imposed.  According to Salviati "The competent authority at present is not so competent, to fulfill with EU standards...the main issue is to improve the body that they already have."

Fiji Fish Managing Director, Grahame Southwick, said that the ban is a product of the government's relationship with the country's fishing industry.  The ban came after the EU issued a number of warnings to Fiji regarding their fishing practices. 

Due to the strength of the European Economy, Radio New Zealand International projects that Fiji could lose thousands of jobs as a result of the ban, laboring a country already hampered with high unemployment.

For more information, please see:

Fiji Village -- Fiji Can Make it Back says EU -- 10 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- European Union ban could cost thousands of jobs in Fiji fishing industry -- 09 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- EU says it has banned Fiji fish exports because processing is poorly monitored -- 09 June 2008

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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, USA -- The American State Department has released an annual report which examines the proliferation of human trafficking in 153 countries around the world and has listed Fiji among tier 3 countries.  Because of their placement in the report, Fiji is in danger of losing aid from the United States. 

According to the report (which can be found in relevant part here), Fiji has failed to make a significant effort to eliminate human trafficking since last year's report.  "Fiji is a source country for children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation and a destination country for a small number of women from the People’s Republic of China (P.R.C.) and India trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation," the report begins.  The report goes on to say that Fiji's children are also being exploited by local Fijians or foreign tourists and that Fiji's government has taken "no action to investigate or prosecute traffickers, assist victims, or participate in public awareness campaigns to prevent trafficking."

Fiji's interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has said that dealing with human trafficking is a priority following the US's report.  He also called upon other nations with more resources to assist in Fiji's fight against human trafficking.  However, he was quick to insinuate that Fiji's presence on the report should not risk its foreign aid. "Shunning us because simply it wasn't done in the past is not a positive way to deal with the situation," the interim AG said. 

For more information, please see:

Fiji Times -- A-G toughens on human trade -- 08 June 2008

Pacific Magazine  -- Fiji AG Concerned About Human Trafficking -- 08 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- U.S. State Department says that Fiji and PNG could lose aid following human trafficking report -- 04 June 2008

Human Rights Groups Call for Justice in Indonesian Occupation of East Timor; Marianas Islands to Suspend Ports Authority

Hayley Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

DILI, East Timor -- More than 90 human rights groups have called upon the United Nations to hold Indonesia accountable for war crimes committed during the Indonesian occupation of East Timor.

The letter was addressed to UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, and was signed by more than 30 academics in addition to human rights organizations. In the letter, the joint groups asked the UN to “fulfill its long standing commitment to see that justice is done for crimes against humanity allegedly committed in East Timor during Indonesia’s two and a half decade occupation.”

The groups came together to draft the letter just as the bilateral Commission on Truth and Friendship was compiling its report on Indonesia and East Timor. As to the report’s contents, the joint letter said that the issue of war crimes against East Timor cannot be solved with one report.

"The right to know (the truth) and the right to justice are inalienable, and are a bulwark against the culture of impunity represented by [Indonesia's] Ad Hoc Court and the CTF."

To read the joint letter, click here

For more information, please see:
The Westender, Brisbane -- International Coalition Urges UN to Be Active for Justice for East Timorese -- 05 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Calls for justice for East Timor -- 03 June 2008

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SAIPAN, Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands –- The Governor of the Northern Marianas Islands has announced he will suspend the board of the Commonwealth Ports Authority (CPA) in order to avoid financial ruin.

The CPA has been in financial trouble for some time. According to Charles Reyes, spokesman for the Governor’s office, the collapse of the garment industry is largely to blame. The CPA had come close to defaulting on a $20 million airport revenue bond. The suspension was anticipated after Governor Benigno R. Fitial announced last month that the executive branch would assume control of CPA in order to avoid a technical default on the 1998 indenture on its airport bonds. 

By the Governor’s request, all members of the CPA board resigned.

“We were technically already in default. However the trustee Bank of Guam didn’t actually technically declare a technical default. However they were about to,” Mr. Reyes said.

Before the CPA’s autonomy is restored, the Governor must select new appointees for the CPA board, subject to the Senate’s confirmation. While Mr. Reyes insists the Governor’s use of emergency powers was necessary, some still question the validity of the suspension. 

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International -- CNMI governor suspends Ports Authority board -- 04 June 2008

SDL to Discuss Chaundhry Tax Evasion; Rewa Chief Says He Will Not Bow to Pressure; No Big Deal to Remove Constitution, Says Bainimarama;

By Ryan L. Maness
Senior Desk Officer, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji -- Ousted Fiji Prime Minister Lasenia Qarase has confirmed that he and the SDL party will be discussing the tax evasion allegations against Interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry.  Qarase said that while he was pleased that the FICAC proved that any case could be investigated, he still wanted to a full, complete investigation of the matter.  The matter seemed to have been swept under the rug, Qarase said. 

Chaundhry responded by calling on Qarase to stop making personal attacks against him and to join Fiji's way forward by lending his support to the People's Charter.  He also said that if the SDL party supports the People's Charter then there will no further talk of excluding the SDL party from the next election. 

Fijivillage also reports that ousted Opposition Leader Mick Beddoes said that Chaundhry has referred to Qarase as a part of the problem in Fiji.  This despite the fact that, according to Beddoes, there is no evidence that Qarase has done anything wrong.

For more information, please see:
Fiji Village -- Where Is The Evidence? -- 04 June 2008

Fiji Village -- SDL to 'Discuss' Chaundhry Tax Evasion -- 03 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji's ousted Prime Minister says his party wants Chaundhry brought to justice -- 02 June 2008

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SUVA, Fiji -- Rewa chief Ro Filipe, of the Rewa Provincial Council, said that he has rejected pressure from the interim government to accept the People's Charter and the GCC task team report.  Interim PM Bainimarama said that the interim government would sack Provincial Council members who did not express their support of the charter.  Bainimarama also said that Ro Filipe could be the first one to go. 

Despite this, the Rewa chief said that his position was researched and discussed before the decision was taken and that pressure from the government would not change that stance. 

As of this writing, there are no reports of Ro Filipe has been sacked.

For more information, please see:
Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited -- Sacking won't change stance: Rewa Chief -- 03 June 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Rewa Provincial Council in Fiji will not change its stance on Charter -- 03 June 2008

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PORT VILA, Vanuatu -- Following the Melanesian Spearhead Group Leaders Summit, Fiji's interim Prime Minister agreed to conduct an interview with the Fiji Times.  During that interview, Bainimarama reemphasized his desire to hold elections, but that Fiji's way forward required unanimous support of the People's Charter.  If groups, specifically SDL party, obstruct the process then they will be barred from contesting the election.  When the Fiji Times interviewer asked if abrogating the constitution was an option for effectuating this end, Bainimarama replied, "Yes, that's one way. To abrogate the Constitution is no big deal if we have to find a way forward for Fiji."

During the interview, Bainimarama also defended the coup of 2006 and the military government.  He insisted that the military's acted for the best intentions of the people of Fiji, but  because the military was responsible for the coup observers assume that they are "power grabbers."  "Because we're the military and the military all over the world, as soon as you overturn the elected government, you're seen as being out to grab power." 

He also said that the purpose of the 2006 coup was to change how Fiji was governed and now that the government is in power the ousted PM Qarase and the SDL party need to come to terms with Fiji's new direction.  "The charter is the only way forward," Bainimarama said.   "So if we want to have elections, the way forward for us is to have elections without the SDL. The military can find 50 ways to get rid of them.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji regime leader says removing constitution no big deal -- 02 May 2008

Fiji Times -- Charter, the way out for Fiji -- 02 May 2008

Media Needs Regulation, Bainimarama says; Amnesty International Reports Human Rights Abuses in Fiji; Electoral Commissioner Says Fiji Elections Will Go Forward

By Ryan L. Maness
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji -- The interim Prime Minister said today that the media needs to be regulated in order to ensure that the reporting is pro-Fiji.  Bainimarama followed this statement to say that he did not want the media to report with bias or be pro-government, only pro-Fiji. 

"We don't want to gag the media, we don't want to stop media freedom," Bainimarama said, but that it is "common knowledge" that the media has been trying to undermine the government.  This, he said, was why he wants someone from the outside to check up on the publishers and editors of Fiji's media, rather than allowing them to regulate themselves. 

Foreign Minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau made a similar statement, saying that the interim government does not intend to gag the media, but that the interim government wants fair and balanced reporting. 

Fiji Media Council chairman Daryl Tarte was wary of these statements.  "If the Government steps in to regulate the media, it would be a sad day for Fiji," said Mr Tarte.

For more information, please see:

Pacific Magazine -- News Media Must Be Regulated, Bainimarama Says -- 01 June 2008

Fiji Times -- Media must be pro-Fiji, says PM -- 01 June 2008

Pacific Magazine-- Fiji Foreign Minister: No Gag on Media -- 31 May 2008

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LONDON, UK -- Amnesty International, in its annual report of top human rights abusers around the world, has listed Fiji among the 150 other nations on its list.  According to the report, the state of human rights in Fiji have deteriorated since the coup in December 2006.  The report was particularly critical of the interim government's intimidation of the media, its stance towards the judiciary, the complicity of the human rights commission and the military's record of pursuit and detention of bloggers critical of the coup. 

The interim government was quick to criticize the report.  Interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has said that the report damages Amnesty International's international credibility by releasing a "outdated" report.  According to the interim AG, the report was short on specific allegations of human rights abuses, specifically he decried claims that the media or the judiciary are under attack because the media is free to express itself and the courts have freely expressed themselves. 

Fiji Human Rights Commission chairwoman Dr Shaista Shamee, who herself was targeted by Amnesty's report, has also called it outdated and inaccurate.  She also thought that it was ridiculous for the report to suggest that world leaders should apologize for any human rights abuses in their country. 

For more information, please see:                                                                                         

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji human rights chairs says calls for apology for human rights abuses a publicity stunt -- 30 May 2008

Australian Broadcasting Corporation -- Amnesty tells Fiji to stop threatening media -- 30 May 2008

Fiji Times -- FHRC tells Amnesty International to get facts right -- 30 May 2008

Fiji Times -- Amnesty International undermines its credibility -- 29 May 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji and PNG criticised in Amnesty report -- 29 May 2008

International Herald Tribune -- Amnesty International: Fiji human rights on downward spiral since military coup -- 29 May 2008

FijiVillage -- Amnesty International reports highlight serious concerns -- 29 May 2008

Fiji Times -- Amnesty information out of date: Shameem -- 29 May 2008

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SUVA, Fiji -- Fiji Election Chairman Mohammed Sahu-Khan has told Fiji Live that nothing will stop the Electoral Commission from carrying out its duties and holding an election.  This statement comes after several days of hard rhetoric from interim PM Frank Bainiamarama who has been adamant upon the fact that the 2009 election timetable will not be possible unless the People's Charter is passed.  The Fiji Times reports that Sahu-Khan said that it is important for Fiji to have a free and fair election. 

Despite the chairman's commitment to the electoral process in Fiji, he believes that reforms are needed before elections should be held.  Specifically, the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation reports that Sahu-Khan believes that the voting system needs to be seriously looked at, despite the fact that any such changes would require a change to the Fijian Constitution. 

In order to impress upon the people the need for free and fair elections in Fiji, Sahu-Khan is holding meetings with civil servants to provide a forum to allow them to discuss their comments and criticisms of the current system. 

For more information, please see:
Fiji Times -- Election work goes ahead -- 28 May 2008

Fiji Times -- Commission continues with poll preparations -- 27 May 2008

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited -- Electoral reform needed: Sahu Khan -- 27 May 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji's Electoral Commission says elections will take place -- 27 May 2008