Opinion -- Crosbie Walsh
Rev Akuila Yabaki is in Geneva attending a Human Rights workgroup that will make submissions to the Human Rights Council from 9am – 12pm on Thursday (tomorrow) 11 February 2010. The event can be watched live on: www.un.org/webcast/unhcr/index.asp A CCF release indicates that his main concerns are an independent judiciary and human rights.
My own opinion is that while these matters need to be addressed in Fiji (but only internationally to gain more internal clout), genuine human rights advocates like Akuila should not underestimate the dangers inherent in the present situation, and the far-from-democratic forces aiming to destabilise government. If they succeed, Fiji will have another manipulated "democratically elected" government, just like the old one.
There can be little doubt that Government is more aware of this possibility than it openly admits and it could account for it curtailment of some human rights. If this is so, outcomes could be very different than Akuila intends. It would be naive not to consider such a possibility.
The relatively small scale and scope of human rights abuses in Fiji, important though they are, are at this point in Fiji's history of less importance than the ongoing abuses that have affected large numbers of Fiji citizens over a long period of time. These will only be addressed by ensuring Government keeps to its Roadmap and elections in 2014.
Rev Akuila Yabaki is in Geneva attending a Human Rights workgroup that will make submissions to the Human Rights Council from 9am – 12pm on Thursday (tomorrow) 11 February 2010. The event can be watched live on: www.un.org/webcast/unhcr/index.asp A CCF release indicates that his main concerns are an independent judiciary and human rights.
My own opinion is that while these matters need to be addressed in Fiji (but only internationally to gain more internal clout), genuine human rights advocates like Akuila should not underestimate the dangers inherent in the present situation, and the far-from-democratic forces aiming to destabilise government. If they succeed, Fiji will have another manipulated "democratically elected" government, just like the old one.
There can be little doubt that Government is more aware of this possibility than it openly admits and it could account for it curtailment of some human rights. If this is so, outcomes could be very different than Akuila intends. It would be naive not to consider such a possibility.
The relatively small scale and scope of human rights abuses in Fiji, important though they are, are at this point in Fiji's history of less importance than the ongoing abuses that have affected large numbers of Fiji citizens over a long period of time. These will only be addressed by ensuring Government keeps to its Roadmap and elections in 2014.
There are risks in all situations (how can we be assured Bainimarama means what he says?) but Fiji needs to go forward not back, and this is the risk I believe must be taken if there are to be positive outcomes from the 2006 Coup and all that has happened since.
42 comments:
@Crosbie Walsh
'....and the far-from-democratic forces aiming to destabilise government....'
Given that actions tend to speak louder than words, I would have thought that this 'government' has actually commited more acts against democracy and attacked democratic values far more than any of the so called 'far from democratic forces'.
Your defence of this regime grows stronger by the day - at least have the decency to change your sub-title. You are no more balanced than the many blogs who criticise the regime - the difference being they don't hide their bias.
Having said that, this blog does make for a good read - it is entertaining.
It would b interesting to see how the good reverend handles this.
Ii is important he places the human rights situation in Fiji in the true perspective and not use this platform as an opportunity to push any personal agenda he may have for the future.
I am sure he understands the motives behind the restrictions but whether he can look beyond the clamouring of the few for the good of the many remains to be seen.
@ Caromio
Just because many people agree with the aims and progress of the Banimarama government it does not mean they are biased.
Bias can arise from self interest which is where the anti Govt blogs are coming from. They are interested in having their friends in power so that they can continue looting Fiji's wealth.
Croz and many others support the aims of the Banimarama Govt and recognise the importance of democracy. However they have nothing to gain from banimarama being in power - hence no bias. They do agree with some of Banimarama's actions - improving the governance in Fiji for one and stopping the racist elititist parties from dividing and ruining Fiji for self interest
They also disagree with some of the things Banimarama is doing and say so openly eg some of the petty and confrontational actions of the Govt.
God Bless Fiji. We want a better Fiji for the future of all Fijians
@ snoopy & croz...
Those who condemn Bainimarama should ask themselves one question - if it was not for Bainimarama would Fiji be ever free from the coup cycle or even worse a bloody civil war in the future?
Bainimarama knows damn well that this is the last coup. The cylcle of destruction ends with him. He would have considered that the machinery that brought the country out of the mire, must be dismantled once the job is done. There could not have been a political or diplomatic solution to the deep seated problems that plagued Fiji in the last 50 years. He has placed everything on the line to make a break with the past and start off on a clean slate in 2014. Who in Fiji has the cohones and vision to walk this lonely, thankless and personally painful path. Nobody.
That is the difference between a genuine leader and a wooden puppet.
Thank God for Bainimarama.
The PR machine of the global human rights lobby has certainly kicked in with a vengeance on the eve of the Geneva hearings. All the major Australian papers today have huge pieces lambasting Fiji for all the same "human rights abuses" they recycle at every turn. The one in the Melbourne Age by Jessica Evans of the Asia division of Human Rights Watch merits a closer look. Because only someone who hasn't been to Fiji could possibly come up with such a loaded version of the truth. It's unsubtle subtext is that would-be visitors should avoid Fiji while human rights abuses continue behind the facade of broad smiles and pristine beaches. What I want to know is why Fiji cops all of this misinformation and distortion without some kind of PR response of its own? The regime has to go on the front foot with the international media with a sustained effort to counter such propaganda. Why they haven't done so is beyond me. But until they do, the likes of Apolosi Bose have the debate to themselves and Fiji's name is blackened without any counter punch whatsoever. Frank seems to think he can beaver away in Fiji on his reforms and to hell with the rest of the world. But all this bad publicity cannot help but affect tourism numbers and deter would be investors. Just as damaging is the general blackening of the Fiji brand and the way Fiji citizens are made to feel uncomfortable about their country abroad even when they support the regime's broad agenda, It's high time to get smart, assemble a small team, and start a counter-offensive to redress some of the current imbalance. The regime has a positive story to tell on a number of fronts and needs to put it in the international arena with conviction and vigour.
Anyone with the slightest knowledge of the spin business will know that only a concerted, highly coordinated effort could have produced all these negative stories about Fiji on the same day. The various human rights organisations will have planned their offensive for weeks, writing their stories well in advance and then honing in on the various "quality" media outlets most likely to run them. You can be sure that Jessica Evans gave her piece to The Age gratis on condition that it appeared this morning, giving it even more reason to publish when media budgets are so tight. And the various pieces in other papers will also have been the result of careful planning, with staff reporters primed well in advance with all the information they needed to write a "curtain raiser" for the Geneva hearings. Notice how Apolosi Bose and the sinister Tui Savu are also all over the air waves in Australia and NZ? That too is part of a concerted PR effort. And this morning, the publicity officers in all the major human rights groups with a stake in Fiji will be basking in the warm glow of a job well done. They've laid a big one on the regime and boy, do they know it. What will be the response at the Information Ministry in Suva? Probably mild irritation and the usual shrug of the shoulders. Then it'll be back to writing some pointless drivel for the government website and wondering if the Lt Col will ever get to Wellington and off their backs. No prizes for guessing who wins this one.
Red Dragon
And yet it was just yesterday, for the very first time, that the Australian Wheat Board admitted it HAD paid Saddam Hussein in hard cash for special access for wheat. What does that tell us about Australia and its posturing towards Fiji? More than enough to make up our own minds? Hypocrisy of this nature is not to be tolerated. Show some spunk and stand up for what is the only road ahead in Fiji for all Fiji's people: the roadmap to 2014.
@ time to fight back...
Whats the point of waging a propaganda war on human rights? It serves no purpose. It will be construed by the western media as "the illegal government going to extraodinary lengths to justify their actions". Damned if you do and damned if you don't.
The bottom line is that people are not being persecuted in Fiji. The abuses in other parts of the world are far worse. These media w#$%&*s can say what they want but at the end of the day it makes lousy headlines when there are no rapes, murders, tortures to write about.
The IG need not engage in this propaganda nonsense. It is what the media want - a war on their own turf. Choose your battles, don't get sucked in.
Handle it the Fiji way - just plod along at your own pace and don't give your enemy the ammunition to shoot you down. If he turns into a lizard you must become a snake.
It is business as usual in sunny happy Fiji. The tourists are still coming in droves. All the rhetoric and political nonsense are falling on deaf ears. The people know better.
Qanibulu, sometimes I just despair about the attitude you've expressed here, a typical head in- the- sand "just plod along" kai colo Fiji cop out."Don't give the enemy the ammunition to shoot you down"? Are you kidding? That's the trouble with the interim government. They ARE giving their enemies the ammunition to shoot them down. And all of us suffer because, like you, they're too stupid to realise the damage being done. "Business as usual in sunny, happy Fiji"? Only in your head you Qanibulu-makau. Hopeless.
How did this discussion turn from Human Rights to the Western Media propoganda. Granted that western media always has a bias, i.e. we should be the ones telling hapless Third World countries what to do, i beleive most posters on this article are missing the point. The fact remains, 3 (excluding the Tevita Malasebe - the police are to take the glory for that) people were tortured to death at the hands of these so - called, self-styled agents-of-change-for-a-better-fiji. So they're building Fiji after killing only a handful people and intimidating, threateting harrassing many others , no problem? Excuse me, but what message is trning a blind eye to these occurences sending to the many young and up-and-coming police or military officers? That its okay to torture, maime, harass and intimidate men, woemn and children, as long as its for a "good cause". Okay, so peolpe can argue that some got carried away and deaths resulted. But how can you exaplin the setting free and re-absorption of those convicted of these deaths? Whatever happend to the 8 or 9 soldiers (and a cop) who were sentenced by a judge to serve time for manslaughter of Sakiusa Rabaka? That's okay, its for a greater cause. What of the one soldier (this case defies belief) whose Verebasaga kill case was being heard when the Constitution was abrogated? Haven't heard a pip-squeak about that either. What of a man convited of manslaughter, being fully paid during his trial and subsequent incarceration, getting let off after serving only a weeks of his sentence, and, to top it all off, getting your old job as head of the Fiji Navy back. A fine example to our young Navy recruits. Its all good when you fight for a greater cause, isn't it. And kicking / threatening, beating up and sexually torturing women who're against your regime doesn't hurt either. Croz, you should read the accounts of Virisila Buadromo after her "call up" to the military camp on Boxing Day 2006. But its all good, its for a greater cause. Oh, and we're taking away your freedom to offer criticism about how your tax dollars are being used too. Its for a greater casue, you dig...
Its defies reason as to why some Fijians overseas would go on a campaign that Fiji is not a safe tourist destnation because of "deteriorating Human Rights conditions".
Tourism is major money earner for Fijians. An attempt to reduce tourist numbers or cripple the tourism industry would obviously affect their relies back home.
They don't care - are they also looking at a "greater good" or driven by a more sinister motive. I think the later.
Anyone notice the Wellington sevens flash billboards advertising Fijime.com
I reckon the Fiji sevens team did more positive publicity for Fiji in NZ that weekend then any structured PR counter by the government.
Hope we can duplicate that in the states this weekend! Go Fiji!
This morning I sent a comment to the Melbourne Age in response to Jessica Evans' article. What was printed was a heavily edited version.
I was making what I thought were astute observations. I was not personally or individually critical of anyone or anything. They talk about restrictions in Fiji, yet this same media outlet wants to censor comments.
The censorship of my comments begs the question: was the article the product of the authors displeasure of the treatment of a human rights colleagues? We will never know the answer to that question. It appears almost everyone has a hidden agenda of sorts.
The band, the Clash, sang a song called "Know Your Rights". The lyrics in one part go like this:
"You have the right to free speech, as long as your not dumb enough to actually try it".
Much has been said about Fiji and free speech. Aust, NZ and the USA have the news according to the news outlets. Journalists today are like lawyers. Most do not comprehend the ethical component of their "calling". They sell out for the quick dollar.
I suggest that everyone should leave a comment about the real situation in Fiji on the website for the story. http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/un-needs-to-confront-fijis-abuse-of-basic-human-rights-20100210-nsaw.html
The government does not need a PR team to counterbalance the negativity being perpetrated overseas by various media organizations. They are not in a position to keep trying to justify the military takeover to overseas countries.
What matters most now is what the people back home feel about the way they are being governed and how the government is meeting their immediate expectations while they rebuild the mindset and the country for the long term.
Let the negative propaganda machine overseas do what they have to do. The more they propagate negativity for their masters interest, the lesser their credibility becomes when they are proven wrong time and again. Just like Raw Fiji News.
This government is on the right track in terms of building a new mindset for the people of this country. Those tourists who may have read or heard negative views of Fiji from online blogs and other forms of media before arriving on our shore are left with a totally different view of Fiji when they return to their country. Word of mouth is powerful.
Fiji's asset is really the people. Almost every tourists who were/are asked about what they remember most or like best about Fiji, it's always the people - the heart of the people. This is besides the natural beauty that the land has.
When government channel their plans and utilize the resources better to meet the expectations of the people back home, national growth and prosperity automatically will set in. In the end, tourists who come to Fiji leave our shores with nothing but excellent stories to tell. So the negative propaganda machines are left exposed high and try on deck for everybody to see that they don't have any credibility.
@ Noble
Well, you can also kill people without physically torturing them. How is that possible? By the kind of policy your government implement or perpetuate, yes, even in a democratically-elected environment.
Qarase's policy was marginalizing a lot of people in Fiji even the indigenous Fijians themselves. Besides that, it was driving the races further and further apart.
This country absolutely needs what it's currently going through right now. That is, the resetting of the mindset away from where it was heading as a consequence of the coups of 1987 and 2000.
What Fiji needs is restoration of government authority and who best to do it than the military? Now, Fiji's current military leadership is restoring faith and leadership back to government. And it is also cleaning up the messes left behind by thieves and thugs who manipulated the minds from 1987 and 2000.
@ Noble - 3 deaths in custody in Fiji in 3 years is unacceptable. Agree action needs to be taken to address this and ensure we do not have more of this.
BUt lets put some perspective to this - although unacceptable these were very rare and happens in every country including Australia.
RED Dragon
Many things are 'unacceptable'. The twenty years' misuse of public funds in Fiji is 'unacceptable' by any standard of governance. Taxpayers were taken for a ride and then they were told by two SDL governments and two governments before that, that they were not welcome in Fiji (only their taxes?). That is an aberration of governance and a fundamental distortion and denial of human rights by any description. Australia and New Zealand went happily along with this. Happily? They did nothing substantial to deter such belief. It suited their interests. Indeed, they funded NGOs and other organisations in Fiji directly or indirectly and colluded in a Sham Democracy. Anyone who attempts to demonstrate otherwise is dishonest and distracted by invalid argument. Democracy serves the best interest of the majority of a population and democractic leaders of calibre and integrity look out - NOT FOR NUMBER ONE - but for minorities, who also contribute to their upkeep through taxation.
This is fundamental to democratic governance. Liberty is also fundamental: freedom to think, to act, to be politically engaged in a meaningful and desirable fashion. Please explain how any of the foregoing applied in Fiji in the past twenty years or even prior to that? Who is paying for academics to run off to Austria to present Fiji's position? What are their interests? Are they demonstrably transparent about their goals?
Those of you like Qanibulu and The Max who dismiss the importance the activities of the human rights lobby ought to have a closer look at the stories of the last couple of days. This is seriously damaging to Fiji and to pretend otherwise is crazy. OK there are people in our resorts and hotels but the overall numbers are still too low. And negative publicity like we've seen is definitely depriving us a foreign investment. You'll notice the US, Australia and NZ have had another go at the regime in Geneva. The pressure won't let up. So to somehow pretend that only what happens in Fiji is important, as these guys do, is dangerously naive. Every effort needs to be made to explain the positive nature of the regime's agenda to the international community. And the regime needs to stop giving its critics ammunition to use against it in forums like the UN. Any more deaths in custody and all credibility is lost. Whatever these guys say, effective PR is vital. For instance, not one of these stories mentions the government's multiracial agenda or anti-corruption campaign. Why not? Because these issues haven't been forced to the forefront of the debate in a way that ensures they can't be ignored. You have to push your own barrow in the world and Fiji should start doing it quickly.
@ Ostriches..
What are you talking about deaths in custody? We are talking about Fiji here not some African dictatorship. Where have you been for the last four years?
FYI all hotels are experiencing record bookings and flights are all full. Get your facts right rather than pull them out of your a@#.
Actions speak louder than words and right now its rocking and rolling in Fiji.
Coconut Husk, I don't think you know the difference between bums on seats and margins. It doesn't matter if the planes and resorts are full. It's how much they're were able to get for each seat and each room and whether those tourists actually spent money on extras like drinks, food and massages on which you really make your lavo. Fiji is attracting many people who've never been abroad before, what one might call the lower classes in Australia and NZ. If you doubt that, take a look at the departure check-in queues at Nadi. All singlets, flip-flops and too many signs of inbreeding. They're paying peanuts for first class accommodation but don't have the money to splurge. In fact, stories abound of people not just bringing all their booze for a week but in some cases, their food too. So don't be fooled by the optimistic arrivals figures. They're fat arses on seats and in beds but with precious little in their back pockets. Anyone in the business will tell you this so why not make a few calls?
@Husk + @Ostrich
You guys are typical of the anti Govt propaganda paddlers. Willing to resort to cheap racism to discount the tourists who arrive in Fij as cheapstakes.
THe facts are clear - there is a record number of tourists arriving in Fiji, they are actually very similar to the visotors who we have recieved over the decades and we welcome all of them.
There are more airlines flying to Fiji tha ever before - For exampple there are 4 airliens flying from Australia to Fij - more than ever before.
Yes Airfares are cheaper than before thanks to competition and the cheaper airfares we have globally - I am no expert in Aorfares but AUD $500 for a 4 hour flight from Aus to Fiji is comparable if not expensice by global standards.
There is construction of new hotel rooms on Denarau which speaks volumes - more than what your distorted facts can say. Have you had a look at the Worldmark Resort which is doubling their number of rooms.
You may not be happy with the people in Govt in Fij ibut please do not tell balatant lies. This only harms the people who live in Fiji.
@ Husk up your uss..
This clearly shows the warped mentality of you and your ilk. Say no more.
"... take a look at the departure check-in queues at Nadi. All singlets, flip-flops and too many signs of inbreeding...."
Croz, it's very sad that some of the people who are your main contributors seem to be no different to the people we're meant to be fighting. Maybe Qanibulu is a front for Solivakasama? Sure seems like it.
Parts of some of the later comments have come close to the unacceptable. Good natured humour, repartee and very slightly "off" comments are okay (We all need a laugh sometimes) but --- respect where the person is coming from. I value Comments and I think many other readers do, too.
So let's all get back on track. Keep to the argument and avoid the personal, unsavoury and race comments more often found on some other blogs.
This really terrible, Croz. Overt racism tolerated on Fiji the Way it Was. I never thought I'd see the day.
This is not about being even handed. This is about turning a blind eye to the indefensible. People have a right to present an alternative view to the ultra defensive, pro regime stance of the likes of Qanibulu without race being an issue.
Calling someone a fool in not the same as attacking them on the basis of the colour of their skin. Croz, you need to reflect on what all this means for your site and yourself.
Please guys. This has gone too far. I just had someone ring me about this. We gotta be better than those scum. Chill.
Yeah, someone just emailed me about this too. Back off! You're doing serious damage with this crap you guys! It's called wedge politics. Drive a truck through your opponents and get the benefit. Please!!!
Most disappointing. No further comments will be accepted on this --or any other -- posting unless they comply to the standards set.
You have the opportunity to influence others and help Fiji. Don't waste.
This must have been one hell of an eruption for all these comments to have been deleted. You've left up the ones alluding to the offence but not the ones explaining what happened. Croz, can you elaborate?
Personal attacks, intolerance, touches of racism, general rudeness, often within otherwise good comments. Not off the Richter Scale but heading that way.
Unlike most other blogs, I do not vet or filter comments before they are posted. All readers have immediate and free access. This sort of arrangement depends on trust and one or two people temporarily got carried away.
I trust everyone can see how important it is that we all make reasoned comments, and show respect for the persons (but not necessarily the arguments) of those whose opinions differ. "Attack the argument, not the man."
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