SUVA, Fiji — Seventeen protesters were arrested yesterday outside of the Chinese Embassy in Fiji during a protest against Chinese human rights violations in Tibet.  The protest was organized by members of FemLink Pacific, Fiji’s Women’s Rights Movement, it’s Crisis Centre, and the Fiji AIDS Taskforce.  Among the seventeen people who were detained were a number of well known Fijian activists including human rights commissioner, Shameema Ali, academic Claire Slatter, Edwina Kotoisuva from the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, and a number of other well known activists in Fiji. 

While the interim government says that the protesters were arrested for not having a permit to assemble, Shameema Ali says that her members did not break the law by engaging in a peaceful protest.  Describing the protest, Ali said, ” Sitting in two and three at a time – no protesting and nothing serious at all, we have T-shirts which have Fiji-Tibet support group, and that’s all no words spoken, Free Tibet.”

The coordinator of FemLink Pacific said today that, despite yesterday’s arrests, their group would continue to protest Chinese human rights violations and Fiji’s interim government’s support for the Chinese government.  Those who were detained have now been released as of this writing.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International —  Fiji peace vigil group set to defy regime — 11 April 2008

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited — Peace vigil show of support — 11 April 2008

Radio Australia — Tibet rights activists arrested in Fiji — 10 April 2008

Radio New Zealand International — Fiji police arrest women protesting over Tibet outside Chinese embassy — 10 April 2008

Radio Australia — Fiji police release anti-China protesters — 10 April 2008