By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch reporter, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji – A human rights group in Fiji is evaluating last week’s judicial ruling which validated the 2006 coup of Fiji’s Federal Government.

The ruling came after Fiji’s ousted prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, challenged the legality of the military takeover. A Fiji court, comprised of three judges, dismissed Mr. Qarase’s challenge and granted immunity to military leaders.

Fiji human rights commissioner, Shamima Ali, is now questioning the court’s independence. While Fiji’s interim government claims to be committed to reestablishing democracy, Ms. Ali is concerned that last week’s decision was anything but democratic.

“A lot of people expected this kind of result, because the people who sat on the bench have been appointed after December 2006, its independence can therefore be questioned. The political comments that have been made in the judgment are uncalled for and not the place of the presiding judge to make, particularly about immunity, because that’s going to perpetuate the coup cycle,” Ms. Ali said.

Ms. Ali believes that Fiji’s future rests in the balance if an appeal to the court’s decision is not made.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International – Fiji human rights commissioner questions court’s independence after coup verdict – 10 October 2008

The Age, Australia – Fiji High Court upholds 2006 coup – 09 October 2008