Ratu Tevita Mara Calls For Suspension of Fiji from MSG

Ratu Tevita Mara Calls For Suspension of Fiji from MSG

Ratu Tevita Mara
Canberra, Australia
23rd June 2011

Ratu Tevita Mara calls on the Governments of Papua New Guinea (PNG), Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the FLNKS Organisation, Members of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), to immediately suspend Fiji from the MSG as it is in flagrant breach of Article 6, Section 2, and other provisions of the Agreement Establishing The Melanesian Spearhead Group.

Article 6, Section 2 of the said Agreement requires that “Respect for Human Rights, democratic principles and the rule of law shall underpin the domestic and international policies of all parties and constitute the essential elements of the contractual nature of the relations between the parties to the Agreement,

The illegal, oppressive and tyrannical regime of strong man Bainimarama is undemocratic, has no respect for human rights, eschews democratic principles and has banished the rule of law in Fiji.

The Fiji Court of Appeal ruled in 2009 that the military coup in 2006 which removed the legally elected SDL Government from office at gunpoint, is illegal, the regime set up by Bainimarama is illegal and all acts by it are also illegal. The Bainimarama regime is undemocratic since it is illegal, since it was not elected by the people, since laws are not decided on by a Parliament elected by the people but through Public Decrees at the whim and fancy of the despot and his puppet master, illegal Attorney-General Aiyaz Khaiyum.

The Bill of Rights, protecting and guaranteeing the fundamental rights and freedoms of every citizen of Fiji, human rights, became null and void when the tyrant under the instructions of Khaiyum, illegally abrogated the country’s 1997 Constitution which contained the Bill of Rights. Human rights are denied the people of Fiji.

Democratic principles have been trampled in Fiji. The democratic principle of Parliamentary Government was abolished since December 2006. There is no elected Government in Fiji but an oppressive and repressive junta.

Laws are created by Bainimarama and his ruling junta and not by an elected Parliament. They are promulgated by Legal Decrees, all meant to increase the power of the corrupt junta, to enable them to raid the public treasury, the FNPF and ignore democratic principles. There is no consultation with the people.

The rule of law is what Bainimarama and Khaiyum say it is by command or by Legal Decree. The Public Emergency Regulations (PER), now in force for over 2 years, subjugate and remove the fundamental rights of all citizens. Citizens, including women, who dissent are forcefully arrested without due process or warrant. They are taken to Military HQ where they are beaten, stomped on, tortured or treated inhumanely. At least two men were beaten so badly, they died. Freedom of Expression, including Freedom of the Press is denied. The oppressive junta promulgated a Media Decree under which the mass communication media is censored. All news items and similar reports have to be viewed and edited by the regime before they can be broadcast or printed. Freedom of Assembly, and other Freedoms, are denied citizens.

Ratu Mara also wishes to draw to the attention of Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the FLNKS, other breaches and infringements of the Agreement which demand that Fiji be suspended from the MSG.

The Preamble of the Agreement conveys the determination to have a region respected for its quality of governance, and respect for Melanesian cultures, traditions and values. Fiji’s governance is oppressive, repressive and tyrannical, are alien to Melanesian cultures, traditions and values, and clearly in breach of this Preamble.

Article 2 of the Agreement establishes as a “Purpose” in the MSG, the requirement of “good governance.” There is no good governance in Fiji, only evil, oppressive and repressive governance buttressed with unlawful arrests, beatings, torture, inhuman treatment of citizens and corruption.

Article 4 requires the Parties to have ...”a secure and democratic political environment...” As previously described this environment does not exist in Fiji. It is anything but democratic in Fiji.

Article 5 (1) contains an agreement by the Parties to have “.... respect for and the promotion of human rights..” Section (2) requires respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms... and...democracy based on the rule of law and transparent and accountable government... Section (3) requires that all Parties affirm that democractization... and protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights...are interrelated. Those requirements, rights, rules and principles do not exist in Fiji.

The illegal and tyrannical junta of Bainimarama has clearly, unequivocally, unambiguously and undeniably breached, infringed and dishonoured Article 6, Section 2, and the Preamble and other provisions of the MSG Agreement, as as such, Fiji should be suspended from the MSG post haste until free, fair and transparent democratic elections are held and human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law restored. To ignore what has and is taking place, to allow it to continue without sanction and to permit Fiji to retain its membership of the MSG, would be in breach of the spirit and rules of the MSG Agreement and would be tantamount to condoning, aiding, abetting and supporting the illegal regime in Fiji and its unlawful and brutal acts.

Thumbs Up for Democracy.

ENDS

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