Fiji: A state of 'Despair, Fear & Intimidation' Is there an out?

[Fiji Truth]

Prof Mahadevan says:

“Regional commentators have observed that although the people of Fiji appear unconcerned on the outside, in reality there is a situation of despair, fear and intimidation.”

She hasn’t swallowed any of the regime’s propaganda:

‘This is the longest period of government by an administration that came to power through a coup, which sends a negative message to the world that the coup culture in Fiji is becoming stronger. Such an environment will have repercussions for investment, tourism, trade and the general confidence of the people in the state. ”

Her whole article is on line in the Pacific Economic Bulletin. It’s titled: “The rough global tide and political storm in Fiji call for swimming hard and fast but with a different stroke.”

It can be found at

http://peb.anu.edu.au/pdf/PEB24-2-EC...0SURVEY%20.pdf

The Illegal Regime’s economic policies are no good but no economic policies can succeed when we have the political environment of a military dictatorship.

Navosavakadua
http://rawfijinews.wordpress.com/200...-intimidation/

"Fiji Military regime axes 'human labour' as 'means to an end' !!

2,000 public servants in Fiji retired in past four months
Posted at 18:25 on 30 August, 2009 UTC

Over 2000 public servants in Fiji, who have reached the age of 55, have left the civil service in the past four months.

The Permanent Secretary of the Puplic Service Commission, Parmesh Chand, said they are now carrying out performance audits in all government ministries to look at the need to re-engage some of these retirees.
A total of 241 retirees, with skills badly needed in the ministries have been re-engaged but Mr Chand hopes the audits will bring the number down to 216.

Mr Chand told Fiji Village they are drafting a paper that will see people voluntarily opt for retirement which cabinet is expected to consider soon.

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[despite attempts by Human Rights Watch - the stories are the same todate.]

Fiji: Reinstate Rule of Law
(New York) - Fiji's interim government should immediately reinstate the Constitution, restore judges unlawfully removed from office, and withdraw government censors from newsrooms, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to President Ratu Josefa Iloilo. On April 10, 2009, following an appellate court decision declaring the December 2006 military coup unlawful, President Iloilo abrogated the constitution and assumed virtually absolute state powers.

"President Iloilo and Commodore Bainimarama have run roughshod over basic freedoms of speech, association, and assembly," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "After over two years of military rule, Fiji Islanders now face even more restrictions, instead of progress toward restoring democratic rule."

Human Rights Watch called on President Iloilo to implement specific recommendations in four key areas - independence of the judiciary, freedom of expression, freedom of association and assembly, and future elections - including:

Return immediately to constitutional rule, annul decrees made since April 10, 2009 - in particular the Fiji Constitution Amendment Act 1997 Revocation Decree 2009, Revocation of Judicial Appointments Decree 2009, the Administration of Justice Decree 2009, Public Emergency Regulations 2009, and the State Services Decree 2009 - and recognize the legal system as it stood prior to April 10;
Immediately cease the harassment and arbitrary detention of journalists, writers, lawyers, human rights defenders, and political opponents;
End interference with domestic and foreign media; and
Pursue electoral reform through the democratic processes guaranteed by the Constitution.
"President Iloilo claimed on April 10 that basic rights would be respected under the new order," said Adams. "But it appears that the only current guarantees are ones of impunity, prolonged military rule, and reprisals against those who attempt to exercise basic rights."

Topics: Rule of law, UNHCR | Refworld | Fiji: Reinstate Rule of Law