By Sarah E. Treptow
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji – The Commonwealth Press Union’s media freedom committee has passed a resolution criticizing the interim regime’s indefinite extension of censorship in Fiji.

The committee represents major media organizations in New Zealand.  Tim Pankhurst, the committee chairman, says they are aware Fiji’s interim regime is unlikely to take notice of the resolution.  Mr. Pankhurst says the committee felt it was important to condemn the actions and to stand with the journalists in Fiji who are working under the emergency regulations.

Mr. Pankhurst believes it is important to raise awareness of the regulations in Fiji to New Zealanders.

“We decided on the motion of deploring because we felt the best role that we can serve right now is to make New Zealanders aware that what’s happening continually in Fiji is not some kind of happy little coup in paradise.  Real freedoms that we take for granted are being denied and abused there,” Pankhurst said.

He also urged New Zealanders to consider what is happening in Fiji when making travel and business decisions.

Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has sent an opinion editorial to Fiji’s media outlets explaining why the country’s military backed regime has been suspended from the the Pacific Islands Forum.  In the piece, Mr. Rudd said Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama’s actions have damaged Fiji’s international standing and the reputation of its military.  The piece was provided to local media outlets this past week and has not appeared in any of Fiji’s media outlets.

The Executive Director of Fijian Civil Society Group, the Citizen’s Constitutional Forum, Reverend Aquile Yabaki, says Rudd’s statement should be available to everyone, “It’s a statement from the Australian Prime Minister.  We need to hear it.  We want to hear it.”

For more information, please see:
Pacific Islands Report – Australian PM Sends Opinion Piece to Fiji Media – 15 May 2009

Radio New Zealand International – Commonwealth Press Union passes resolution deploring Fiji censorship – 15 May 2009

Radio New Zealand International – Commonwealth Press Union says resolution unlikely to move Fiji’s interim govt – 15 May 2009