‘Monstrous’ NGO prosecutions in Fiji
Contempt proceedings have been brought by the government of Fiji against a non-governmental organisation for quoting from a Law Society Charity report on the country.
The Citizens Constitutional Forum, which supports community education and advocacy in relation to Fiji's Constitution, democracy, human rights and multiculturalism, cited passages from Fiji: The Rule of Law Lost, published earlier this year.
The report’s author, charity chair Nigel Dodds, called the action a ‘monstrous assault on free speech’ which demonstrated that the concerns expressed in the report ‘are ongoing’ and underlined ‘the need for international scrutiny’.
He added: ‘It makes a mockery of freedom of speech in Fiji and sends a clear signal to the international community that Fiji sees the rule of law and human rights as little more than an inconvenience.’
Dodds’ call for international scrutiny received a set back when the Fiji’s director of public prosecutions, New Zealander Christopher Pryde, ruled out the possibility of an international delegation including a Law Society representative visiting the country. Dodds’ own report was based on a lone covert visit, after an International Bar Association delegation was refused entry in 2009.
In May this year, then-president of the Law Society John Wotton wrote to Pryde, seeking to clarify an apparent offer to allow an official visit, based on comments made in media interview.
In his recent response, Pryde declined the Law Society’s offer to participate in an international delegation visit to Fiji to follow up on Dodds’ report. He said there was no monitoring blockade in place, but made it clear that a return visit by Dodds alone was the only offer in place.
Fiji’s government is currently engaged in a review of the country’s constitution, a process which has stalled over the issue of immunity from prosecution for members of the government and leaders of the 2006 coup that brought the current ‘interim’ government to power.
Fiji is currently suspended from the Commonwealth.
Comments
Fiji flouts free speech
I shall boycott bananas from fiji and suggest everyone else joins my boycott until this prosecution is dismissed.
Fiji Flouts free speech
John Myles' suggestion is likely to hurt the ordinary citizens of Fiji more than the military dictatorship that runs the country against which they cannot fight. There are a number of companies which underpin the Fijian economy and we should be asking them to conduct themselves in accordance with the UN Ruggie Principles on Business and Human Rights and in conformity with their international human rights obligations. Those companies are:
Nestle Pacific Islands - a part of the multinational Swiss company producing locally snacks, confectionary and noodles mostly exported to New Zealand and neighbouring islands.
Goodman Fielder and Fletcher Pacific Steele who are already taking advantage of generous government incentives aimed at encouraging exports.
Emperor Mines which owns Vatukoula gold mine, one of Fiji’s largest private-sector employers.
Mark One Apparel employs over 400 people and specialises in the manufacture of garments.
The garment industry is a direct employer of around 13,000 people in Fiji, mainly Indo-Fijian women, and the US is currently one of its major markets.
The Balthan Group heavily involved in papaya and frozen food processing exporting to the US.
FIJI Water which sells bottled water to the US and Australia and New Zealand.
Pure Fiji producing beauty products widely available in US retail outlets and around the world.
Others are The Biscuit Company of Fiji, Fiji Hardwood and Fiji Fish and Pacific Fishing Company exporters of processed fish around the world, including Fiji’s world-class yellow-fin tuna.
I would ask that people write to the CEO's of these companies asking them to explain how their business with Fiji complies with the Ruggie Principles and domestic Human Rights obligations.
Why is everyone getting so
Why is everyone getting so heated about this - the BSB has been defending vested interests in this way for years!