By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania
SUVA, Fiji – Fiji’s ousted prime minister is speaking out against the judicial decision made yesterday legitimizing the 2006 military coup of Fiji’s Federal Government.
Yesterday, a three judge court dismissed former prime minister, Laisenia Qarase’s request to have the 2006 military coup declared illegal. Mr. Qarase is now calling that decision a “miscarriage of justice.”
“It will encourage future coups. I think the impartiality of our judiciary is completely gone,” Mr. Qarase said. He added, “The judgement indicates that they (the judges) were selective in the evidence they used. . . Our case was about the legality of what happened. There was no mention of that at all.”
Meanwhile, Fiji’s interim attorney-general, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, is looking ahead, calling now for support to aid Fiji’s plans for new elections. Mr. Sayed-Khaiyum has also encouraged Fijians to unite under the common goal of restoring democracy to Fiji.
“I think the message to everybody … is that we need to move ahead with the government that is in place,” Mr. Sayed-Khaiyum said.
Professor Bill Hodge, a constitutional law expert from Auckland University, says that now that Fiji has declared the legitimacy of the 2006 coup, countries in opposition to that coup must now be prepared to recognize Fiji’s interim administration.
“I would think New Zealand, the United States, UK, will all come around and must come around to recognize a regime in Fiji,” Mr. Hodge said.
Mr. Qarase, on the other hand, says he will consult his lawyers and decide whether further action needs to be taken.
For more information, please see:
The Age, Australia – Ex-PM hits Fiji court ruling – 10 October 2008
Radio New Zealand International – Fiji interim regime urges cooperation now that coup has been declared legal – 09 October 2008
Radio Netherlands – Fiji’s 2006 coup declared legal – 09 October 2008
ABC News – Bainimarama blocking Fiji elections, says Smith – 09 October 2008
TVNZ – Fijian court dismisses coup case – 09 October 2008
