By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji – Fiji’s interim prime minister has announced that his government will not be pushed around by leaders from Fiji’s political parties in Monday’s meeting.

Interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, says Monday’s meeting will not be about the legality of the interim government. Bainimarama added that leaders interested in merely expressing grievances with the interim government may as well not show.

On October 9, a three judge court ruled that the 2006 military coup of Fiji’s federal government was legal. Ousted Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, is among several advocates pushing for elections in 2009 to restore Fiji to democracy.

But at this year’s 63rd UN General Assembly, Bainimarama told leaders that those elections will not happen as previously planned.

Bainimarama has preemptively told leaders attending Monday’s meeting, that the interim government is in charge and will do whatever it believes is in Fiji’s best interest.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International – Fiji interim regime stakes out political talk framework – 22 October 2008

By Sarah E. Treptow

Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji – Fiji’s Interim PM, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama wants to call for elections as soon as practicable.  It is reported that Bainimarama has written to political parties for a meeting next week to set the agenda and terms of reference for a forum for presidential political dialogue.  Political leaders were told the agenda would remain open and flexible but the overall objective would be to move toward constitutional and democratic governance.  Ousted PM, Laisenia Qarase, has welcomed this call for a meeting.

The independent interlocuters named are Dr. Sitiveni Halapua of the Pacific Islands Development program of the East West Centre and Robin Nair who is a member of the President’s Independent Monitoring Group.

As SDL party leader, Qarase has said they will participate though they have reservations over the interlocuters.  Political parties have until Wednesday to respond to the invitation.

For more information, please see:

Fiji Times Online – It’s on – 21 October 2008

Pacific Magazine – Fiji’s Interim PM Wants To Call For Elections – 21 October 2008

By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji – The Fiji Women’s Crisis Center is questioning how this month’s judicial ruling legitimizing the 2006 military takeover in Fiji will effect cases involving police brutality.

On October 9, a three judge court dismissed former prime minister, Laisenia Qarase’s request to have the 2006 military coup declared illegal.

“Of course, the ruling is going to affect the cases that have already been filed against the military and police. The judgment by the High court was political,” said Shamima Ali, the Center’s coordinator.

The Fiji Women’s Crisis Center has raised concerns over whether the interim military government will treat cases involving police and military officers differently.

In particular, the Center identified two cases of alleged brutality which remain pending in court. The first involves a man named Tevita Malasebe, 31, who was a rugby player from Nabua, Suva. Malasebe was beaten to death by police in June of last year. Another man, Nimilote Verebasaga, was taken by soldiers in the middle of the night. He was pronounced dead the next day at the military hospital.

Ali added, “It means those officers implicated in the alleged murder cases and brutality cases before the courts won’t be prosecuted because of the immunity clause.”

For more information, please see:
Fiji Times – Fiji Court Ruling Could Impact Brutality Cases – 20 October 2008

By Ryan L. Maness
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji – The new secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum, Tuiloma Neroni Slade, has hailed Fiji’s interim government’s decision to resume working with the ministerial group examining Fiji’s electoral system as a positive step.  The interim government had stopped talks with the Forum in June following what it described as a lack of support from Australia and New Zealand.

While there is no firm plan for when, specifically, the talks will resume, Slade confirmed that meetings are being scheduled.  Slade went onto say, “It is in line with the conclusion of the Forum leaders and their desire as expressed in the Niue communique that this re-engagement should resume. We are now in the secretariat working closely with the authorities of the interim government to try to determine dates and the timing of these meetings.”

While the Forum is satisfied with this new move, it has publicly stated that it’s position regarding Fiji’s return to public elections has not changed in the wake of the recent Fiji High Court decision validating the 2006 coup.  The Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and the Premier of Niue, Toke Talagi, has also echoed deposed Fiji PM Lasenia Qarase’s position that the decision will encourage the coup culture in Fiji.

For more information, please see:
Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited – Slade welcomes initiative – 18 October 2008

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited – Forum stance unchanged – 18 October 2008

Radio New Zealand International – Forum head welcomes resumption of dialogue with Fiji interim regime – 17 October 2008

Radio New Zealand International – New Pacific Forum leader says court judgment in Fiji is not a reflection of expectations – 17 October 2008