By R. Renee Yaworsky
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania
SUVA, Fiji–Fiji’s prime minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, remains unapologetically in favor of censorship and an iron-fisted military regime. Despite pressure from nearby nations such as Australia and New Zealand, Fiji’s strongman continues to place trust in his military, but not his own people.
Commodore Bainimarama took control of the impoverished island nation in a military coup in 2006. He did away with the constitution and now rules by decrees. He told ABC television that he believes only the military can adequately run the country and that politicians, judges, and the public aren’t trustworthy. He also defended his strict censorship regulations and rule-by-decree regime.
“I don’t trust the people,” the dictator said. “We can’t bring about changes if there are people that are still talking about bringing instability.”
Bainimarama says dissent will not be allowed and has silenced opponents, including the Methodist Church and tribal chiefs. He has also expelled Australian and New Zealand diplomats after their governments spoke out against his seizure of power and refusal to implement elections.
“We need to stop all people speaking out against the government and its reforms. I need to silence them,” the military leader stated.
A ban on foreign ownership of the media has been installed, and Fiji Times, a popular news outlet, will close soon.
“I’ll be glad that people like the Fiji Times will no longer be here,” Bainimarama said. “We’ll have our ownership of the papers, so we’ll have at least some support for what we’re trying to do.”
The dictator has tried to justify censorship by explaining that some media outlets understand his reasons.
“They understood that at some stage we’ll need to shut some people up. . . . Reforms will never happen if we open everything out to every Tom, Dick and Harry to have their say.”
Fiji has been suspended from the Pacific Islands Forum, which is holding its annual summit this week in Vanuatu. Bainimarama has criticized the Forum, saying it is dominated by Australia and New Zealand which are not Pacific Islanders.
“They crept in slowly like the proverbial camel,” he complained, “with their head in, and then the front legs, and then the back legs, and all of a sudden the owners of the tent were out and they were inside the tent.”
Bainimarama says he wants to free Fiji from racial politics and hold elections in 2014. Fiji has been divided by a power struggle between a majority Fijian Indian community and various indigenous groups.
For more information, please see:
AFP-Fiji ruler says he doesn’t trust his people with democracy-3 August 2010
Sydney Morning Herald-Only military can save Fiji: Bainimarama-3 August 2010
ABC-At home with Fiji’s strongman-3 August 2010
