Amnesty International is calling on New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Murray McCully to ensure he doesn’t waste the
opportunity to raise Fiji’s backward steps on human rights, during a diplomatic visit to Fiji.
Minister McCully will be in Fiji on Friday with his Australian counterpart, Minister Julie Bishop, meeting government
officials to discuss relations between the countries.
Fiji is scheduled to hold democratic elections in September, the first since the 2006 military coup and its subsequent
expulsion from the Commonwealth.
“During the process of re-engagement with Fiji, the Australian and New Zealand Foreign Ministers have a responsibility
to raise the restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly and association with Fijian authorities,” said Michael
Hayworth, Amnesty International’s Fiji campaigner.
“In the lead up to elections in Fiji it is imperative that countries including New Zealand and Australia remain vocal
and vigilant to any increased crackdown on activists and opposition members.
Recent incidents highlight Fijian authorities attempts to limit free speech, the right to protest and the targeting of
NGO’s, trade unions and political parties, restricting public debate in an election year.
“In February last year, a video was released online showing the torture and sexual assault of two men, apparently by
security forces. So far police have failed to independently investigate the incident.
“While the arrest of 14 activists in September 2013 for peacefully gathering outside the President’s residence, on the
day he was due to assent to the government constitution, sent a clear message Fiji has failed to prioritise the rights
of its own citizens.
“Despite Fiji’s government professing a commitment to democracy, ongoing restrictions on freedom of expression and
peaceful protests, as well as attacks on human rights advocates have continued,” Michael Hayworth added.
ENDS