By Sarah E. Treptow

Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji – SDL Party National Director, Peceli Kinivuwai, confirmed today that SDL will discuss options for appealing Fiji’s High Court decision validating the 2006 coup of the federal government.  Mr. Kinivuwai said the party has lost this battle but not the war, “I think it is more to do with our solicitors view of the ruling and what we as party executives view, our opinions towards the ruling, because we feel that there’s a lot of grey areas, as far as the ruling’s concerned, and we are going to straighten that up and see what’s our next course of action as far as the lawyer’s advice is concerned.”

SDL lawyer, Tevita Fa, is currently preparing papers to file the appeal and has advised the party not to disclose the amount of money it has spent to prepare for the case.  It was confirmed that the party will do everything it can to appeal against the ruling which may include going as far as appealing to the international court.

He adds that at this point the SDL party will not be engaging with the interim regime, and will not be working with the National Council for Building a Better Fiji.  The interim regime is led by interim prime minister and head of the military, Commodore Frank Bainimarama.

The High Court has given the party 45 days to appeal, a deadline Mr. Kinivuwai has said they will definitely abide by.

For more information, please see:

Radio New Zealand International – Fiji’s SDL to meet lawyer over last week’s coup approval verdict – 13 October 2008

Radio Australia – SDL Party to challenge Fiji High Court coup ruling – 13 October 2008

Fijilive – SDL set to appeal against ruling – 13 October 2008

Radio Fiji Two – SDL to discuss case appeal today – 13 October 2008