SUVA, Fiji — The United States Department of States has issued pointing out a number of human rights violations in Fiji.  The report cited human rights violations including: poor prison conditions, discrimination against women, sexual exploitation of children, government corruption, religious strife and the deaths of three, uncharged police detainees (Nimilote Verebasaga, Sakiusa Rabaka and Tevita Malasebe).

Doctor Shaista Shameem, the chairperson of the Fiji Human Rights Commission, has publicly stated that the FHRC has no intention to replying to the report, because the United States is in no position to stand in judgment on the state of human rights in Fiji.  In her scathing remarks about the United States, Shameem criticized the US for the War in Iraq, Guantanamo Bay and “racism in every sphere of the US Government.”  She also said that that many Fiji non-governmental organizations were bought off for the report with “tin badges and a handshake.”  She concluded her statement by saying that, “No one wants the USA to be the guardian of human rights for the rest of the world – it’s like asking Dracula to guard the blood bank.” 

The US Ambassador to Fiji, Larry Dinger, said that the purpose of the report was not to criticize Fiji, but to encourage it to improve.  He admitted that the United States does not have the most sterling record, but stressed that, “[the US] system encourages criticism from others; if Shaista Shameem wants to criticize the US, she is welcomed to do so and she could source lots of US critics in doing so . . . [W]e attempt to improve our performance thereby and similarly we hope that other countries will improve their performance to the kind of criticisms that comes in the human rights reports.”

For more information, please see:

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited — Dinger: improve from US report — 13 March 2008

Fiji Village — No one wants US as guardian- FHRC — 13 March 2008

Fiji Times — Mind your own, Shameem tells US — 13 March 2008

The Age — Fiji hits back at US human rights report — 13 March 2008

Fiji Times– US should tell Fiji how they’ll deal with human rights violations in Iraq: Shameem — 12 March 2008

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited — FHRC: We won’t bother to reply — 12 March 2008

CANBERRA, Australia –- Today, East Timor’s President Ramos-Horta, still recovering from last month’s assassination attempt, named former military member, Marcelo Caetano, as his shooter.

“The President recognized him. This man must be brought to justice,” Ramos-Horta’s brother, Arsenio, said for Australian newspaper, The Age. But the Timorese government fears that if the rebels do not surrender peacefully, the country may once again give way to violence.

Caetano is one of 600 former military members turned rebels who lost their jobs during a 2006 strike. As the army became divided along factional lines, violence killed 37 and drove 150,000 people from their homes. East Timor had to rely on foreign troops to help restore peace.

On Monday, close to 500 army and police officers entered the district of Ermera, where rebel leader, Gastao Salsinha, is believed to be hiding. An ultimatum was issued, but Salsinha did not surrender. Caetano is among the 30 or so rebels believed to be under Salsinha’s command.

Brigadier-General Taur Matan Ruak said that Caetano and Salsinha had their chance, and now the Timorese army must take action.

 
For more information, please see:

Reuters: Asia –- Wounded East Timor President names gunman-report –- 12 March 2008

Canberra Times –- E Timor hunts rebel soldier –- 12 March 2008

The Age: Australia — Timor leader nurses his would-be assassin — 13 March 2008

SYDNEY, Australia — East Timor’s President, Jose Ramos-Horta, made his first public appearance on Wednesday after he was shot and critically wounded in February. Rather then make a political statement, the President used his platform to thank caregivers and mollify concerns for his recovery .

On February 11, former members of the Timorese military ambushed Ramos-Horta during an early morning walk. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao was also targeted but escaped unharmed. After undergoing emergency surgery in East Timor, the President was flown to Darwin, Australia for further care.

The President spoke today for the first time since the shooting. Seated in a chair with the East Timor flag behind him, Ramos-Horta appeared pale, but his voice was clear and confident. “Although I am refraining from making a political speech,” Ramos-Horta said, “I wish to use this opportunity to thank all who prayed for me, who looked after me, who cared for me, following the assassination attempt on me.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gusmao said on Monday that the remaining rebels will be rounded up this week including Gastao Salsinha, who took command following the death of former rebel leader, Alfredo Reinado. Gusmao threatened that either Salsinha surrender or face the consequences.

Ramos-Horta will be recovering in Australia for ten more days.

 
For more information, please see:

Reuters Asia –- Wounded East Timor President speaks for first time –- 12 March 2008

ABC News –- Ramos-Horta thanks supporters –- 12 March 2008

The Age: Australia — ‘Dum-dum’ bullets nearly cost Ramos Horta his life, but he grieves for attacker –- 12 March 2008

YAREN, Nauru –- Nauru’s government is calling for peace after an angry mob set fire to Nauru’s main police station to protest a phosphate shipment Friday night. The government is blaming former President, Rene Harris, for inciting opposition to Nauru’s plan to resuscitate the phosphate industry.

The mining of phosphate, a mineral used in farm fertilizer, has long been a source of political unrest in Nauru. Economically, Nauru relied on the mineral as its chief export for almost a hundred years. By the 1990s, the mining industry had exhausted phosphate reserves and devastated the country’s environment. Since then, Nauru has fallen into bankruptcy and relies heavily on foreign aid. Australia’s refugee camp, built in 2001 and closed earlier this month, helped account for nearly 25 per cent of Nauru’s GDP. With the center’s closing, the government hopes the phosphate industry might be revived.

But many citizens are unwilling to embrace an industry they equate with corruption, failed investment, and bankruptcy. Friday’s arson drew concerns from Australian Federal Police officer, Robert Lehman, in charge of Nauru’s police force, who reportedly swore in 100 civilians, including high school students, to help keep the peace.

While protests continue in the wake of the unemployment crisis, police were overwhelmed with volunteers who were eager to help the government restore peace to the small island nation.

For more information, please see:

Pacific Magazine — Nauru Police Station Attacked –- 10 March 2008

The Age: Australia — Teens not deputized over weekend: Nauru –- 10 March 2008

Radio New Zealand International — Nauru Government says that former President behind unrest –- 10 March 2008

SUVA, Fiji — The trial challenging the constitutionality of the Fiji Coup of 2006 has taken a new turn.  Last week lawyers for the interim government argued that the Fijian High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case and this week they are attempting to argue that certain evidence should not be admitted into the proceedings in the interest of executive privilege.  Specifically, lawyers for the interim government wish to exclude the minutes from meetings between President Ratu Josefa Iloilo, Qarase and current interim Prime Minister Bainimarama that took place prior to the December 2006 takeover.  Transcripts of the meetings have been presented to the High Court by the President’s official secretary Tupeni Nacewa in the form of an affidavit.

Gerard McCoy, QC, a lawyer for the interim government, is arguing that revealing such information would be detrimental both to the public and to the office of the PM.  McCoy stated that the information contained within the affidavit is privileged because, “Nacewa is the passage through which official communications are committed – and parties were not at liberty to oust the crown privilege.”  Furthermore, he said, any information contained in the affidavit would distract the Court from its main purpose, looking after the public welfare.

Qarase’s lead counsel, Nye Perram, QC, countered that this evidence was vital to the Court’s consideration because it could give critical insight into the legality of Bainimarama’s military takeover.  He also argued that the public has a right to know what transpired in the lead up to the coup, “the public only knows what happened outside – and had a right to know the inside story.”

The matter is set for arguments on Tuesday before the Fiji High Court.

For more information, please see:

Radio New Zealand International — Fiji interim government lawyer says High Court has no authority to review President’s actions — 07 March 2008

Radio New Zealand International — Fiji interim government continues to claim executive privilege in legal challenge to coup — 07 March 2008

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited — People have a right to know coup events: lawyer — 07 March 2008

Radio New Zealand International —Fiji court told to consider public interest as interim government claims executive privilege — 06 March 2008