By Ryan L. Maness
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Oceania
SUVA, Fiji — In the wake of Evan Hannah’s deportation, the High Court has ordered for the Immigration Department to explain why it was that Hannah was not produced on Friday as the High Court had ordered. Along with the High Court’s inquiries, opposition leader Mick Beddoes has also called for Chairman of the Fiji Human Rights Commission and Ombudsman, Shaista Shameem, to conduct an inquiry into Hannah’s deportation.
Shameem acknowledged that she had received a letter from Beddoes and told FijiVilllage that she had responded to Beddoes’ letter. She would not say, however, what the contents of her reply letter were. She also said that she would not comment further regarding Evan Hannah, because the matter is currently before the courts. The country will know the court’s decision on Wednesday, she said, and the FHRC will abide by that decision.
As for Beddoes, he has been vocal in his opposition for Shameem and her treatment of the situation. He said that Shameem has been pro interim government since she took office and that her recent actions illustrates this. Because of this, Beddoes has called for the next parliament to review the position of Ombudsman to ensure that the new office holder does not compromise the situation.
The Young Peoples Concerned Network has echoed Beddoes’ sentiment, calling for Shameem to resign from her position in the FHRC due to her inaction with regard to human rights offenses in Fiji. Their call is a renewal of the resignation request that they made a month ago. They also told the Fiji Times that the interim Government and the FHRC had embarked on a personal vendetta to intimidate and malign Fiji’s press.
For more information, please see:
Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited — Immigration Department ordered to explain — 05 May 2008
FijiVillage — FHRC Queried by Beddoes — 05 May 2008
FijiVillage — Fiji Human Rights Commission Has No Comment — 05 May 2008
Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited — Beddoes Criticises Shameem — 05 May 2008
Fiji Times — NGO calls on Shameem to resign — 05 May 2008
Fiji Times — Beddoes calls for probe on incident — 05 May 2008
