(o-) Human Rights Watch's Cloud Cuckoo Land

"... work around the edges of the possible; demanding the impossible entrenches attitudes -- and leads nowhere."

Erudite Elaine Pearson, Human Rights Watch (Asia Division) deputy director, says its "not too late for Fiji's interim government to reverse the path it has taken, and return the country to constitutional rule." The New York-based organization has written to President Iloilo urging him to annul the decrees he has made since April 10. Here are some extracts from her (to me, incredibly naive) interview on Radio Australia

Q. But 'isn't the path you're suggesting in direct opposition to the path taken ...? Why should they consider that path?
A.Well, I mean I think that if Fiji wants to be taken seriously by the international community, and I think if there is sustained international pressure there, then really they should look at their commitments to the citizens of Fiji ... really the steps that we are asking for, it is very easy for them to take those steps. It's very easy to go back and revoke those judicial decrees ... and to reinstate the judicial offices. We are only asking for a return to the position prior to April 10, not to a position prior to the coup. So it is not actually that difficult for them to really reverse their position if they actually have the genuine will to return to being a rights respecting nation.

Q.Bainimarama has said elections will not be held before September 2014. How's that being seen by the rest of the world?
A (speaking for the world): Well, I mean I think quite clearly it's not seen as adequate by the rest of the world. The fact that the Pacific Islands Forum has suspended Fiji shows that that cannot be taken seriously. I mean we don't think that the period of five years is necessary for the interim government to put in place the reforms and processes that they are talking about. We really believe that those kinds of processes and electoral reform can be pursued through the democratic processes that are guaranteed under the Constitution.

Q: What role do you see for Pacific island nations in helping Fiji back to democracy?
A: Well, I think certainly it would be helpful if Pacific islanders were lobbying Fiji a bit more strongly ... I think we need to think about concerted pressure in order to ensure that Fiji and the president takes these kinds of concerns about human rights abuses seriously.

Q: Australia is hosting the Pacific Islands Forum in Cairns in August. What role should Australia be playing to assist Fiji's return to democracy?
A: Well, I mean I think Australia has been playing a very important role. I think maybe we also need to think about ... putting more pressure on the UN peacekeeping ...This is an extremely important source of revenue for Fiji and it seems like it's getting to the point where we need to be considering targeted sanctions or other kinds of action in order to ensure the protection and promotion of human rights and a return to the rule of law.

Comments: (1) Returning to before April 10th would mean returning to the 1997 Constitution, as interpreted by the Appeal Court judges, and elections under the then existing and demonstrably unfair and racially-bound political system. In effect, this would be asking Bainimarama to abandon all ideas of serious electoral reform, the People's Charter, and all other of its "positive"step taken since the 2000 Coup. Only asking? Very easy? Impossible!
(2) More sanctions? Think of Cuba!

If international human rights groups "want to be taken seriously" and play a role in resolving the Fiji situation -- and they can play such a role -- their spokespersons need to work around the edges of the possible; demanding the impossible entrenches attitudes -- and leads nowhere.