By Ryan Maness
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji — The National Council for Building a Better Fiji and the People’s Charter for Change, Peace and Progess are at the foremost of Fijian politics today.  Amid the calls by foreign governments for Fiji to return to democratic elections, the interim government has insisted that before elections can take place underlying social and political problems must be addressed.  In order to address these problems the National Council was set up and the People’s Charter was announced.   In the last week, however, both the Council and the Charter have showed signed of progress, but also signs that difficult times may lie ahead.

Among the encouraging signs was the announcement by technical and support secretariat director John Samy who said that the was on schedule to be finalized before the end of this year.  Currently, the Council plans to have the People’s Charter completed by October and this date can only be changed if the the national council feels that it is necessary to do so.  In order to help bring about a national consensus on the Charter, the Council has also begun a national campaign to reach out to citizens in towns and villages across Fiji in order to explain the political and economic changes that have occurred in the last thirty years.  By explaining these differences, the Council also hopes to receive input from the people regarding how the citizenry wishes to have the government lead.

However, the progress of the Council is not without bumps in the road.  Five member of the Council all expressed similar sentiments today that the media should assist the Council in spreading news regarding the efforts of the Council.  Jokapeci Koroi, Desmond Whiteside Rajesh Kumar, Dewan Chand Maharaj and Lorraine Tevi all told reporters that they want the message of the People’s Charter to be spread on a grass roots level.  Committeeman Whiteside said that members of the Council’s working committees could not be relied upon to accurately relay information to the whole of the People and that the media will allow the People to hear what is being proposed and allow them to respond with what they want. 

There are also those, including deposed PM Lasenia Qarase, who have come to question the financial structure of the Council.  He has called upon the Council to publicly announce their budget sheets and spending reports in order that the interim government can live up to its promise to restore fiscal responsibility to the Fijian government.  Among the efforts that has raised eyebrows is a music video (viable below) commissioned by the Council, which depicts a man singing about the need for Fiji’s leaders to find a new way forward. 

The Council itself has said that it will not make these financial disclosures and that, in fact, it may be forced to ask for more money.  While recognizing that the cost benefit factor is important, Committeeman Whiteside said, “We have the opportunity right now to change that. If we get it right, we will be the model around the world. The cost will be immeasurable.”

 

For more information, please see:

 Fiji Times — Samy sets date for People’s Charter — 09 April 2008

Radio New Zealand International — National Council for Building a Better Fiji says it may need more funding from donors — 08 April 2008

Fijilive — NCBBF seeks media support — 08 April 2008

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited — Media urged to assist NCBBF — 08 April 2008

Fiji Village — NCBBF Launches State of the Nation Document — 08 April 2008

Radio New Zealand International — Ousted Fiji PM calls for accountability of interim regime — 03 April 2008

Fijilive — NCBBF tight lipped on funds — 08 April 2008