More positively, the Working Group did acknowledge the Elections Donor Coordination Committee (EDCC) membership’s current ability to assist with any technical training or information technology assistance that may be required in the coming elections.

Speaking after the meeting, Fiji’s interim foreign affairs Minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau remained positive about the interim government’s prospects for returning Fiji to democratic elections.  Speaking to Fijilive he said, “We have no intention of delaying the elections as perceived by the international community and we promise them that we will have elections in March 2009.”

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International — Fiji regime admonished by Forum group over election timetable issues — 24 April 2008

Pacific Magazine — Forum Working Group Concerned By Progress To Election — 24 April 2008

Solomon Star News — Supervisor of Elections to be appointed as soon as Possible: Working Group — 24 April 2008

On February 11, rebel soldiers attacked President Horta during his morning walk, shooting him twice in the back. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao was also attacked but escaped unharmed. The President returned to his duties last week after a two month recovery in Darwin, Australia.

Salsinha is East Timor’s most wanted man for his involvement in the attacks. After rebel leader Aldredo Reinado was shot and killed during the attack on President Horta, Salsinha took command. Salsinha is currently staying in a house in Ermera district, and says he will remain there until the other rebel members join him.

The UN has reported that Salsinha has met with representatives of the Prosecutor General’s office, FFDTL, military, and a church in the town of Gleno, to discuss the conditions of his surrender.

The recent rebel and gang violence stems from a 2006 incident where 600 military members were fired for protesting alleged discrimination. In the bitter dispute, the army divided into factions, causing 37 deaths and forcing 150,000 from their homes. On Thursday, during a fight between rival martial arts gangs, one member was decapitated, local police detective chief, Rogerio Gueterres said.

President Horta announced on his return that he would renew the country’s efforts to combat the increasing violence and poverty rates.

For more information, please see:
ABC, Radio Australia — East Timor authorities locate rebel leader — 25 April 2008

ABC News — East Timor rebel leader may surrender — 25 April 2008

Reuters — Two killed in East Timor gang violence — 24 April 2008

SUVA, Fiji — Justice Nazhat Shameem handed down sentence for the three men convicted of in relation to murder of Tevita Malasebe last June.  Detectives Lole Vulaca and Rusiate Korovusere, who were both convicted of murder, were sentenced to life in prison.   Sergeant Pita Matai, the supervising Sergeant of the Vulaca and Korovusere, was convicted of being an accessory to murder and was sentenced to two years in prison.

When handing down sentence, Justice Shameem noted that Matai’s actions on behalf of his men had frustrated the evidentiary investigation into Malasebe’s death.  Because of that interference she said, “Perhaps, we will never know who inflicted the terrible injuries on Malasebe in the Crime Office (at Valelevu Police Station).”

The sentencing was welcomed by the Citizens Constitutional Forum.  Reverend Akuila Yabaki, the Chief Executive Officer of the CCF, said that he was glad that the sentences were handed down, but was disappointed that those people who were responsible for protecting the people had taken advantage of a helpless citizen, costing that citizen his life.  He also said that the National Council for Building a Better Fiji should seriously look at the role of disciplinary forces in Fiji and that measures should be taken to cure any deficiencies in the charter process.

For her part, Malasebe’s mother was less satisfied by the results of the trial.  While she said that she had forgiven the families of her son’s murders, she also said that she believed that all eight of the men should have been given life sentences.  Radio New Zealand International also reports that she seeks to appeal the acquittals of the five men who were originally charged with her son’s murder.

The Fiji Police also announced today that it will offer further training to its police officials in the future.  Police spokesperson Ema Mua said that the public’s faith in the police needs to be restored.  Speaking in response to the Malasebe murder, she said, “There’s a real need now for officers to know how to deal with that sort, because no one is guilty unless proven by the courts. So yes, we are looking at introducing further training, further courses for officers when it comes to dealing with situations like this.”

For more information, please see:

Radio New Zealand International — Fiji police to improve training after two officers murdered suspect — 24 April 2008

Radio New Zealand International– Fiji police says officers’ life sentences are fair — 24 April 2008

FijiVillage — Life Sentence Welcomed by CCF — 24 April 2008

Fiji Times — Police officers go in for life — 24 April 2008

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited — Public will never know says Judge — 23 April 2008

Radio New Zealand International — Fiji police murder victim’s mother unhappy with ruling — 23 April 2008

SUVA, Fiji — Three of the eight Fiji Police Officers charged with the murder of Tevita Malasebe were found guilty today.  The High Court found Corporal Lole Vulaca and Constable Rusiate Korovusere guilty of murder and found Sergeant Pita Matai guilty as an accessory to murder.  The High Court found that there was insufficient evidence to convict the five other men who had been charged with the murder.

The three men who were convicted were those officers who had actually gone to Malasebe’s house last June and were the ones, the court found, that actually assaulted the rugby player.  The court acknowledged that the other five accused men may have been present at the time, but this alone was not enough to secure a conviction.

The verdict itself came three hours after Judge Justice Nazhat Shameem handed the case over to the assessors.

Fiji Human Rights Commissioner Shamima Ali said that the conviction came as a huge relief.  She expressed her gratitude that justice had been done, but also expressed her hope that the court will now look into the death of Nadi teenager, Sakiusa Rabaka, who was also allegedly killed while in official custody.

Three men who were found guilty are scheduled to be sentenced tomorrow.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International — A Fiji Human Rights Commissioner welcomes guilty verdict — 22 April 2008

Radio New Zealand International — Police officers convicted of Malasebe murder — 22 April 2008

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited — Malasebe’s accused sentencing today — 23 April 2008