No Amnesty International visit to Fiji

The human rights group Amnesty International has issued its annual report today. The following are excerpts from its page on Fiji.

Note: Following a request for confirmation, Amnesty International has told Coupfourpointfive that it is not sending a team of investigators to Fiji to investigate human rights abuse as has been reported by a Facebook page recently.


Annual report 2013: Fiji
People’s rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly continued to be restricted under military rule. Political leaders and human rights defenders were arrested and charged with serious offences, in some cases leading to imprisonment. Concerns remained about the rule 
  
Background

In July, a process for reviewing the Constitution was established by decree. Under the process, participants in the 2006 coup were given full immunity from prosecution. The Constitutional Commission, established in April 2012, and others expressed concern about the review process. Despite earlier public consultations, the process was amended in November to prevent public consultation on a draft Constitution before it could go before the Constituent Assembly.

Freedoms of expression, association and assembly

In January, the Public Order (Amendment) Decree replaced the Public Emergency Regulations, but retained similar restrictions on freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly. A number of decrees passed since 2009 have been used to stifle government critics, prevent peaceful protests and disperse meetings.

• In May, police revoked a permit to march for the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia on the day of the march.
• On 11 July, police arrested and detained overnight a Fiji Labour Party official, Vyas Deo Sharma, and 14 male supporters for meeting at a private dwelling.

Former political leaders and human rights advocates were prosecuted in cases which appeared to be politically motivated, undermining freedom of expression.

• In July, the Citizens’ Constitutional Forum was charged with contempt of court for an article published in its newsletter in April entitled “Fiji: Rule of Law Lost”.
• In August, deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase was sentenced to 12 months in prison on what were believed to be politically motivated charges of corruption.

Government remained critical of external institutions reviewing human rights in Fiji.

• In September, an International Labour Organization delegation was expelled from Fiji.

Torture and other ill-treatment

Police and security forces faced allegations of torture and other ill-treatment, including beating, threatening and intimidating people, particularly government critics.

• In September, five men who escaped from prison were recaptured by security forces and were reportedly tortured. All five were hospitalized as a result of their injuries and one had his leg

Justice system and lack of accountability

The rule of law and access to justice were undermined by an absence of judicial review of government decisions and security of tenure for judges. Impunity prevailed in cases of past human rights violations.

• In July, Felix Anthony of the Fiji Trades Union Congress issued a formal complaint, after he was assaulted by officers in February 2011. Police refused to investigate his complaint against Prime Minister and Military Commander Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama.
• In January, the UK Law Society Charity released a report claiming that there is “no rule of law” in Fiji and that “the independence of the judiciary cannot be relied upon”.
   
   http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/fiji/report-2013#page
  
  

Why haven't Fiji police revealed a gun was stolen from a home invasion?

A 22 gauge gun was stolen from the home of a Navua businessman during a robbery on Monday but the police have deliberately kept the information from the public.

The gun, which was legally in the possession of the businessman, is used for wild duck hunting. Some bullets were also taken.

If it were another country, the police would have immediately warned the public of a stolen gun in the hands of dangerous criminals.

But not in this case. Why not?

A report on Fiji Village reads as follows:

"The search continues by police for the four men involved in a break-in at Wainadoi early Monday morning.
Chief Operations Officer ACP Rusiate Tudravu said some people who were alleged to be involved have been interviewed and released.
ACP Tudravu added that police will continue to set up snap checkpoints in a number of areas.
The four men broke into a businessman’s home and got away with jewellery and cash.
ACP Tudravu said some other items were stolen and investigators are looking into this before making further comments.
It is also confirmed that the four fled from the house in a car which was found abandoned at Reservoir Road."

Fiji Sugar Corporation hires territorial army officers for mills

The Fiji Sugar Coporation has turned to Homelink Security Services for security at its four sugar mills, ahead of the 2013 crushing season.


Homelink was previously only present at the Lautoka mill but

Sugar lorries leaving Labasa

was to take over security services at the Penang, Rarawai and Labasa Mills as well from Monday.


Frank Bainimarama had ordered army officers be based at all mills to oversee the smooth operation of crushing when the regime was in the process of 'de-politicising' the sugar industry in 2007.

It's also a known fact that several union leaders, like Felix Anthony, were also assaulted by army officers after being accused of sabotaging the sugar industry.

Farmers: promised biggest payout. (file pic)

Coupfourpointfive can also confirm that Fiji Sugar Corporation employees, both general workers and staff, were also subjected to military style punishment if mills broke down and crushing stopped.

With this latest entry of Homelink Security Services into the four sugar mills, the military will now have additional ears and eyes on the 2013 crushing season.

Last week, Bainimarama announced that the season would be a bumper year with farmers set to receive one of the highest cane payments ever in the industry.

According to their website, Homelink Security was founded in Suva,  June 11 in 2007 by ex-military personnel. 

So far they have some big clients like Fiji Ports Corporation Ltd, Nadi and Nausori International Airports, Natural Water of Viti Ltd and Sino Hydro Electricity.

Their management is listed as: 
General Manager: Mr. Ulaiasi Suka 
Cellphone: (679) 7084951, 
Operations Manager: Mr.Josaia Naikalivou
Cellphone: (679) 7084954 and 
Finance Manager: Mrs. Vilimaina Dinamati
Cellphone: (679) 7084968.

Bainimarama's daughter free rides to see Fiji's new plane

No mention of her in the official releases about the Air Pacific delegation that went to France to collect the new A330, but Frank Bainimarama's daughter is flying high as well.

The daughter of Fiji's self-appointed leader, Bernadette Bainimarama, gave it away herself posting these pictures on her Facebook along with a note saying she was in Lourdes to see 'Fiji Airways newest plane'.

No mention of whether she paid her own way, but is that really likely? More probable she was part of the group, thanks to the perks of being Daddy's Girl and her trip is being paid for by our taxes, just as the new plane is being paid for by the pensioner's funds.

Bainimarama and the Air Pacific team have officially taken possession of the second A330 aircraft from the Airbus outlet in Toulouse after meeting Airbus’ vice president for contracts and delivery transactions,Thierry Van Der Heyden.


The plane is being named Namuka-I-Lau, in honour of the designer of the Masi motif now used on the aircraft, Makereta Matemosi, despite the huge outcry over the decision to commercialize the traditional designs for the exclusive use of Air Pacific.

The aircraft is due to fly into Nadi this Thursday.

So-called leader goes after small fries instead of tackling the big one

Letter published by South China Morning Post

Why brave shark infested waters when it's easier to go after those who apparently never did anything for Fiji before he came along and saved the country in2006?

The national airline, Air Pacific, is facing yet another controversy but Frank Bainimarama, who is in France to collect the second A320 airbus that was bought with pensioners funds, is staying well away from the debate.
  
While the leader of most countries would front to answer the damaging allegations, this self-appointed prime minister is sticking to his well-worn repertoire of repeated dismissals of people who dare to challenge the regime's legitimacy and effectiveness.

That's in spite of a revealing South China Morning Post story that this week

  In France to collect second A320

exposed Air Pacific as one of the world’s major carriers of shark fins into Hong Kong.

The SCMP article shows that Air Pacific (soon to be Fiji Airways) and its new Airbus A330 aircraft were, according to a group of pilots familiar with its operations "basically a thinly-disguised freighter", carrying shark fins to the territory from Pacific islands.

Hong Kong is the world centre for shark fin trading with the fins used to make an expensive soup.

The South China Morning Post story quotes a coalition of environmental groups who say in a letter to the airline that a “substantial amount” of the shark fins imported into Hong Kong arrive on Air Pacific.

"Hong Kong government data indicates that more than 1,162 tonnes of shark fins were imported into Hong Kong in 2012, of which 14.1 per cent was by air cargo," it said. "Of that percentage a substantial amount would have been flown to Hong Kong on Air Pacific's planes.

"As you may already know, Cathay Pacific took a great step in the right direction last September by making a public commitment to stop carrying shark fins and related products on its subsidiary airline, Cathay Pacific Cargo.

"As a code share partner, this places Air Pacific in a difficult position regarding the continued revenue stream enjoyed by your airline from the transportation of shark fin."

Air Pacific's PR man, Shane Hussein, has told media the airline is investigating but has been quick to suggest the claim is over the top.

Hussein will have to be on his game because there's already talk the second plane will likely carry similar cargo to the first A320 to make money for the newly-branded company.

Air Pacific's involvement in trafficking shark fin comes at the same time as reports the International Court of Justice is sending a team of private investigators to Fiji in 10 days time to look at human rights abuse. 

The complaint was reportedly lodged by the International Law Commission and Amnesty International, specifically Sir Michael Wood, a member of the Commission, who gave evidence to the Iraq Inquiry in November 2009, and who was also Principal Legal Advisor at International Court of Justice advisory opinion on Kosovo's declaration of independence.

CRW victim: Investigation at last?

Reports say those that will be interviewed include the families of those who've died at the hands of military, such as the CRW soldiers, and leaders including the country's last democratically elected prime minister, Laisenia Qarase.

Air Pacific trafficking shark fin
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1237843/air-pacific-accused-hypocrisy-over-shark-fins-cargo

Regime spin doctors use First Lady to peddle its bullshit

CoreVice the Dictator's favorite PR firm use
 Michelle Obama
By Shazzer and Grubby

Corevice are paid over $1m every year to promote Frankly Bananas. They have used Michelle Obama to promote their services.

Click the link below to view:


Corevice the Dictator's favorite PR firm use Michelle Obama By Shazzer for Freedom in Fiji 2 photos Corevice are paid over $1m every year to promote Frankly Bananas. They have used Michelle Obama to promote their services.

The world according to Rabuka

1987 coup anniversary: Advice to political parties and the country's self-appointed PM.

He isn't really anyone these days but still gets his 15 minutes of fame every year about this time.

Sitiveni Rabuka, the soldier who brought coups to the Pacific 26 years ago, is now 65 and doling out advice like a friendly grandfather.

In a recent interview with the Fiji Sun, he urged the last surviving three parties, FLP, SODELPA and NFP, to play by the rules 'if you want to be in the race, even if the political climate is unfavourable.'

He said: “It’s better for everyone to enter the race and make changes from within. You can’t make changes from outside.”


Rabuka had advice for Frank Bainimarama, too. He tells him to listen out for the truth and for people who liumuri him.

“... a lot of the truth are being said in silence. When people are silent it doesn’t mean that they approve and it doesn’t mean they disapprove. If they don’t tell you they disapprove, it doesn’t mean that they approve. It could be just cultural courtesy, which is the culture of deceit.”

In the same interview he also dismisses the Fiji Labour Party saying it has deviated from representing workers and lacks credible leadership. "We’ve seen how Mr Chaudhry worked in his government and the people of Fiji should be told, do you want to go back to that environment, do you want such a leader again?”

He was kinder to NFP saying while it has lost every seat in Parliament, it had produced some good leaders:  Saddiq Koya, Jai Ram Reddy, Harish Sharma – "good people, steady leaders who had personal ability of inspiring confidence in people by their own lives." He's not so sure about the current leadership.

Of the former SDL party, which is now calling itself SODELPA, he says it has a big job on its hands trying to embrace the ideals of socialism, liberalism and democratic principles and doesn't rate some of its leaders, especially Dr Tupeni Baba. 

He has high regard for the Rewa chief Ro Teimumu Kepa but says she will be brought down for associating with Tupeni Baba and Laisenia Qarase.

Fiji police threaten to arrest if subject of land is broached

The United Coalition for a Democratic Fiji has been warned police will arrest anyone who raises the issue of land at tomorrow night's meeting in Nasinu.

The meeting at Rishikul College will go ahead at half past six but organisers have been told they are not allowed to talk about the land provisions in the regime's draft Constitution.

There has been wide conjecture about the regime's plans regarding iTaukei land since it revealed its own draft in February after last year rejecting one prepared by a five member Commission.

It's believed the illegal government of Frank Bainimarama and Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum plan to take control of indigenous land and there has been a huge outcry by iTaukei communities.

Little has been revealed by the regime about its plans for iTaukei land, even when it has been challenged about it in recent months, but there is fear it will use the Constitution to legalize its intention to usurp ownership.

Itaukei have already come out against such a notion with resistance growing as Bainimarama and Khayium try to claim the Laisenia Qarase government set the precedent when it sold native land to allow the stalled Momi Bay development to get underway.

In recent weeks the regime has tried to kill the land debate just as it has in the past when it knows citizens are fighting back, invoking the well-worn tactics of warning political parties and key leaders 'not to sow racial discord or create social divisions that might lead to unrest and damage the economy and the jobs of Fijian workers'.
 

Status quo despite glam of film world

Another big to do about the latest movie to have been made on these shores with the British cast and crew marvelling about the beauty of Fiji.

The big talk fest by Bula Quo's director and cast comes hot on the heels - fortuitously for the regime - of the union campaign to get tourists to think twice about holidaying Fiji.

The Fiji Destination union campaign (http://destinationfiji.org/) was launched over a week ago and has generated much debate with even the highly influential Time magazine http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/05/08/fiji-is-no-paradise-for-low-wage-workers/) running the story.

More than three thousand people have also taken up the challenge to send a message to the New Zealand, Australian and the United States government - as well as the regime leader Frank Bainimarama - to end the suffering in Fiji.

Fiji police confirm investigation underway into FNPF hacker

A major development in Coupfourpointfive's story about FNPF documents - the Fiji media today reported that as we published on Friday, the pensioner's fund has formally lodged a complaint with police and CID detectives are now investigating.

Our story revealed that sensitive documents detailing records of employers contributions to individual accounts, records of how much money there is in the accounts of selected regime members and their supporters and records of FNPF senior management receiving bonus payments, were in the hands of someone in Fiji.

Fiji Police spokesman, Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri, told Fiji media that a team from the Criminal Investigation Department has started to investigate.

More money for military while Fiji currency rejected in USA

The military regime has given itself more money for its evil deeds.

According to Fiji TV News, from next year, the army will get $106.8 million dollars.

In 2006, it was $70 million dollars.

The Fiji Police Force will also get an increase of eight million dollars next year.

The Central Intelligence Agency last year said that out of 172 countries, Fiji is ranked 76th in terms of its defence spending and GDP.

Therefore in comparison with its GDP, Fiji's military budget is bigger than 96 countries including New Zealand, Italy, Thailand, Germany and Canada.

FNPF systems breached - records downloaded

Coupfourpointfive has been alerted that someone in Fiji is in possession of Fiji National Provident Fund records, on how much key people associated with the illegal regime are earning, and have in their FNPF accounts.

We can confirm that the FNPF has lodged a police complaint on the alleged breach of their IT systems. They are unsure if it was done internally or externally. 

Reports suggest the following records were downloaded:
* records of employers contributions to individual accounts
* records of how much money there is in the accounts of selected regime members and their supporters
* records of FNPF senior management receiving bonus payments

We've been informed that the person or persons who are possession of the information, also sent the "records of FNPF bonus payments" to selected Fiji media. 

'Bainimarama's leadership will shine' rubbished

The former Opposition Leader Mick Beddoes has described as an outrageous affront to the Chiefs and people of Fiji comments made by Vanuatu Prime Minister Kalosil at the G77 meeting at Natadola and reported in the media today.

Kalosil is reported as saying ‘PM Bainimarama is a strong leader and through his leadership the Pacific will shine and that’s what we want’.

Beddoes says the Vanuatu Prime Minister’s comments show he has no idea about what is really going on in Fiji, or he knows but like the rest of the Meanesian Spearhead Group prefer to support the usurpers of our democracy.

"By appointing Commander Bainimarama as their leader, all heads of the MSG governments, have violated many of the rules which govern their group.   

"Prime Minister Kalosil is signaling that he and his MSG colleagues have no difficulty supporting those who execute coups, commit treason and armed intervention and rely on strong-arm tactics and threats to stay in power.

"Is this the new way forward advocated by the MSG for political change in the Pacific? Is the MSG’s embracing of Commander Bainimarama a reflection of the meaning of Melanesian brotherhood, in the political context?"

Can things get any worse in 2013?

Review of 2012: How Bainimarama blew his opportunity to preside over a legitimate new order.

By Jon Fraenkel

In Fiji, 2012 was a year of raised and then repeatedly dashed expectations. In January, brief euphoria greeted the dropping of public emergency regulations, but stiff controls were promptly reinstated several days later. In March, hopes for a relatively smooth restoration of the rule of law and reasonably free elections before September 2014 were greatly encouraged both at home and abroad when Yash Ghai - former United Nations envoy to Cambodia - as appointed by the interim government to head the scheduled Fiji Constitutional Commission (fcc). 

Yet by the year’s end, military commander and Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama had fallen out with Yash Ghai and had declared the government’s intention to extensively rewrite the fcc’s draft constitution and to avoid any public consultation beyond that of a handpicked Constituent Assembly. Soon, plans for the intended Constituent Assembly were also scrapped. 

Throughout 2012, authority to shape Fiji’s future constitutional arrangements remained continually contested. Having destroyed most of the institutions associated with the precoup order, by the end of 2012 the government was busily dismantling the processes it had itself put in place to construct a new order.

Fight the Fight, Not Your Existence

Opinion piece by Jagath Karunaratne

There are questions about the unions from Australia, New Zealand and United States and their statement about the new website to discourage people visiting Fiji.

It is with sincere hope that local unions do not have any hand on this and if they do, they should expect to have to respond to questions from the people of Fiji.

First of all, this initiative clearly shows the inability or weakness to get respective governments to take tougher actions against the current administration of Fiji. Instead of spending time and energy on a website, unions could have got their governments to enforce the imposed conditions on Fiji by using their strength, their memberships in thousands. 

It is apparent today that respective overseas governments are simply pushing Fiji towards the so-called democracy process and possible elections in 2014. They are eagerly waiting for the Bainimarama government to become legitimate or for them to be able to join hands without any implications to continue business as usual with Fiji.