By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji – Fiji’s ousted Government has appealed a High Court decision validating the military coup of the government in 2006.

Today, Fiji Court of Appeal Judge Justice Ian Lloyd said that the parties’ attorneys will gather on Thursday to discuss substantive matters of the case. Among the parties’ lawyers are Former Attorney General, Qoriniasi Bale, and Suva lawyer, Tevita Fa. Both Bale and Fa are representing the ousted Prime Minister and leader of the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua Party (SDL), Laisenia Qarase.

In 2006, the Interim Prime Minister led a military takeover of Fiji’s Federal Government. In October, the High Court in Fiji ruled that the 2006 coup was legitimate. Mr. Qarase has challenged that decision, calling it a “miscarriage of justice.”

Justice Gates, who delivered the judgment validating the coup, has said that, “No one has suggested His Excellence failed to act honestly, impartially, neutrally and what he gauged was in the best interest of the nation; that is, of all of the inhabitants of Fiji, it is not for this court to inquire into the details of his act at that moment on whether one action would have been better done in another way but it is certainly open to conclude his intention were to unify the people of Fiji.”

The appeal is scheduled to be heard in March 2009.

For more information, please see:
FijiLive – 2006 coup appeal set for March 09 – 18 November 2008

Radio New Zealand International – Fiji coup case appeal to be heard in March – 19 November 2008