By Cindy Trinh
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania
SUVA, Fiji – The military regime in Fiji says it remains committed to holding elections in 2014 despite coming under pressure to hold earlier elections during the United Nations review of its human rights record.
During the review in Geneva, there were suggestions that UN representatives could visit Fiji to investigate human rights violations, such as torture and government influence on the judiciary and media bans.
The Permanent Secretary in the office of the Fiji’s Prime Minister, Pio Tikoduadua, says he would like to see the review’s report first, but he does not see the need to implement the suggestions made at the review in Geneva.
Tikoduadua says that elections are not the solution to Fiji’s problems.
He stated: “If allegations for human rights as the UN is putting it, if they think that elections is going to solve all of that for us then we’ve been having elections for 40 years and human rights is a consistent issue, not only in Fiji everywhere, so definitely elections is not the answer.”
Tikoduadua further contended that Fiji has been engaging with the UN, and views it as a partner.
Furthermore, the interim government in Fiji says that Commodore Frank Bainimarama will stand down as Prime Minister when elections are held in 2014, but he will remain as commander of the military.
In a statement made by Bainimarama, he denied media reports that alleged he would retire as military commander after the 2014 elections.
The interim government spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Neumi Leweni, claims a journalist misinterpreted the Commodore’s comments.
Leweni, who is the Permanent Secretary for Information, clarified to the public that Commodore Bainimarama will step down as the Prime Minister, but will stay on with the military to ensure reforms that were implemented by his regime are followed by the administration that will take power after the 2014 elections.
Nevertheless, the Commodore emphasized that he will run for Prime Minister if that is what the people want.
For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International – Fiji’s interim regime says it remains committed to holding elections in 2014 – 13 February 2010
Radio New Zealand International – Fiji’s interim govt says Bainimarama will stand down as PM in 2014 – 13 February 2010
Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Radio Australia – Fiji PM will not stand down as military commander – 12 February 2010
