Since 1987, there have been military three coups in Fiji within a year after elections.

In an interview last week, RFMF chief of staff Colonel Jone Kalouniwai said the military had learnt from its past mistakes, moved out of the coup culture and was no longer a threat to the country.

However the RFMF has recently commented on statements from both main opposition parties as well as the Methodist Church.

The defence spokesperson for the Sodelpa party, Mosese Bulitavu, whose leader Sitiveni Rabuka was the instigator of the 1987 coup, said "There needs to be a clearly defined role as to when do they come in and comment in the political arena."

In April Kalouniwai said that the RFMF had a constitutional role to ensure the safety, security and well-being of Fiji and all Fijians.

He offered this as a justification for commenting on the Methodist Church's submission about the marginalisation and agitation of the iTaukei.

The submission included a call for a Christian state, reinstatement of the Great Council of Chiefs and a review of indigenous rights issues.

Kalouniwai said the RFMF believed the statement had the potential to influence and breed suspicion, distrust, heightening ethnic tensions and potentially lead to conflict.

An opinion piece posted on the Fiji Sun has urged the commanders of the RFMF to remain silent.

"If they have any concerns about threats to the security of Fiji, they should see the Minister of Defence and explain to him."

Source

• Fiji Times
• RNZ
• RNZ
• RNZ
• Fiji Sun
• Image: Fiji Sun

This is the opinion expressed by the Methodist Church in its submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights last Thursday.

The Bill was introduced in Parliament by the Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum last year.

It was sent to the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights in June after the second reading.

Under the heading "Defamation", clause 24 of the Bill says that "Any person whose words or actions defame, demean or undermine the sanctity of Parliament, the Speaker or a committee commits an offence and is liable on conviction."

Methodist Church vice president Apisalome Tudreu said the proposed provisions would make it an offence for the electorate to hold their elected representatives and their leaders accountable and this was a basic requirement of democracy and good governance.

Tudreu said the church participated because of its role and that was to serve the needs of the society.

"What is considered thre­a­tening and defamatory sho­uld be left to the laws that apply to others," he said.

The chair of the committee hearing submissions, the MP Ashneel Sudhakar, said the clause would only protect the institution.

"It doesn't mention anywhere that you cannot criticise the government or cannot crticise the members of parliament," Sudhakar said.

"The words of clause 24 are clear and all it's saying is that you cannot criticise wrongly the institution of parliament, the speaker and the committees. That's all that the clause mentions."

The Citizens Constitutional Forum wants clause 24 removed. "Section 24 will further dissuade people from exercising their rights to critique Parliamentarians' role and their performances for fear of being sued for defamation by Parliament," said its Chief Executive Officer

Source

• fijitimes.com
• newswire.com
• radionz.co.nz
• Image: newswire.com.

"Fiji must be committed to safeguarding and upholding this fundamental human right, by defending the right of every citizen to practise Christianity or any other religion at home and abroad."

Kepa said Easter was a time for reflecting on the role Christianity plays in Fiji.

In her Easter message, she said many Fijians are firmly convicted that the country was founded on the principles, values and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

"Love above all, mutual respect and self-sacrifice for the greater good are some of the qualities reflected in Christ's life."

"Before I end, at the very heart of Christian teaching is the lesson to 'love thy neighbour' and I invite all of us to reflect this sentiment in our daily lives."

In March 2014 Kepa was elected leader of the newly formed Social Democratic Liberal Party.

She led the party into the 2014 election. The party won 15 of the 50 parliamentary seats.

Kepa, who won 49,485 votes in her own name, was the second-highest ranked candidate behind Bainimarama.

On 6 October 2014 She was appointed Leader of the Opposition.

In June 2016, Kepa announced that she was standing down as leader of SODELPA.

She was replaced by former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.

in 2004 Kepa succeeded her late sister, former Ro Lady Lala Mara, as Roko Tui Dreketi, or Paramount Chief of Dreketi.

This is considered to be the highest title in the Burebasaga Confederacy, one of three "confederacies", or tribal networks, of Fijian chiefs.

Ro Teimumu Kepa is the widow of Sailosi Kepa, a former High Commissioner to London, Minister of Justice and Attorney General.

He went on to become a High Court Judge, Ombudsman, and first chairman of Fiji's Human Rights Commission.

Source

• fijitimes.com
• fijivillage.com
• en.wikipedia.org
• Image: facebook.com

Oni Kirwin is a controversial figure who lives in Australia.

According to some commentators she has little credibility and little support.

Vuniwaqi told the Fiji Sun that Kirwin was "in attempts to form a so-called Christian State in Ra and Nadroga."

Professor Brij Lal, Indo-Fijian historian at the Australian National University says he is baffled by the separatist intentions.

"You have crazy people all over the world, it's simply ridiculous. Western Fiji is fully integrated into the economy. This is a nonsensical."

Oni Kirwin, who describes herself as attorney-general of the Ra and Nadroga Christian state, said she is "not frightened or scared at all".

Kirwin rose to prominence late last year, after she claimed that she was to go to London to meet the Queen and discuss Fiji's independence.

It is believed this meeting never took place.

It was also rumoured that Kirwin has taken the issue to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

It is believed that is also untrue.

"There is a takeover in Fiji and it is not a good one," said Kirwin.

"We're concerned by Muslims. Their influence is very, very high," Kirwin says.

She points to Muslims holding high office in the Bainimarama government, including attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

About seven per cent of Fiji's population is Muslim.

Supporters of the Christian state have allies in Australia.

They were blessed by the Reverend Fred Nile during a meeting with a group led by Kirwin in the New South Wales upper house of parliament in April.

More than 60 people allegedly linked to anti-Muslim separatists have been detained in Fiji, accused of plotting to create a breakaway state on the western part of the main island of Viti Levu.

Brij Lal is also critical of Bainimarama, "I think, as some critics suggest, it's a diversionary thing from criticism of the government and diversion from the economy," he said.

"He (Voreqe Bainimarama) has in his sights people who are critics of the government. He equates criticism of the government as an attack on democracy."

Last Friday Bainimarama warned Fijians living overseas who support the Christian state movement.

"If you encourage sedition you are committing a serious offences." The hand of the law is very long. And rest that the authorities in Fiji will not rest until you are brought to justice."

"If you encourage sedition, you are committing a serious offence," he said.

Bainimarama did not name any individuals.

Source

• 3news.co.nz
• sbs.com.au
• radionz.co.nz
• fijileaks.com
• crosbiew.blogspot.co.nz
• Image: crosbiew.blogspot.co.nz

Twelve people from Nadroga-Navosa were scheduled to appear in the Sigatoka Magistrates Court on Monday morning but were later informed that the case will be heard in Nadi.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pride says there is no evidence to suggest these people are related to a group from Ra that has also been charged with sedition, nor is it related to members of an alleged para-military training group facing the same charges.

The Fiji Police Commissioner, Ben Groenewald, has described a group of men conducting military-style training in the hills of the northern province Ra as more like members of a cult who pose no threat to national security.

The Fiji Sun has reported that authorities believe a British Army veteran has been overseeing secret military training as part of a plot to form a breakaway "Christian" state.

The group has been accused of engaging in military training where a movement has reportedly been pushing to break away and declare the Ra Sovereign Christian State.

An expert on Melanesia, Jenny Hayward-Jones, from the Lowy Institute in Sydney, said the British army veteran was "more likely to be a Fijian" than a British citizen.

"There may well be retired British officers living in Fiji but I am not sure if there are younger ones who are energised to do this sort of activity," she said.

37 people in three separate groups appeared in court last week, facing charges such as sedition and inciting communal antagonism.

Groenewald says there is no indication the group is political in any way.

He says there's no confirmation the men had been training with weapons, rather he believes they may have had wooden replica guns.

Fiji's prime minster, Voreqe Bainimarama, has refused to comment specifically on the cases, but reinforced the police commissioner's statement that the groups posed no threat to national security.

He says there is no threat to i'Taukei or Christianity, and anyone who swears an illegal oath or encourages political violence will face the full force of the law.

Bainimarama said people should not follow instructions that could land them in jail.

"We should not tolerate any form of instability and we should not be swayed by those who wish to divide us," he said.

A lawyer representing some of the arrested said they were ready to take a quick trial date.

The court was told of the extensive media coverage on the case and concern was raised that it would not be fair on the accused persons.

But the State's lawyer said some disclosures were yet to be filed.

He asked for two weeks to serve the information. The case will be called in September.

Source

• radionz.co.nz
• fijitimes.com
• fjitimes.com
• radionz.co.nz
• fijitimes.com
• newindianexpress.com
• telegraph.co.uk
• radionz.co.nz
• Image: telegraph.co.uk

He also said "We congratulate Frank Bainimarama for leading us to elections and for his party's election victory."

Archbishop Peter made this statement, as Fiji celebrated the 44th-year of independence last Friday.

Archbishop Peter said that be truly an independent nation, Fiji needs to move beyond patron-client politics.

He defined Patron-client politics as being the manner in which ethnic politics or how politicisation of ethnicity is carried out.

"Patron-client politics neglect national development and its strategies were limited to the short-term gains and interest of patrons and clients and, therefore, national developments could not receive the primary focus and commitment they deserve," Archbishop Peter said.

"It develops a syndrome of dependency as they depend heavily on government assistance for their economic development.

"Patron-client politics stifles the kind of consciousness and competitiveness that are essential ingredients for democracy," he said.

Source

• Fiji Times
• Image: ABC

The reaction came in the wake of a response by the Prime Minister Rear Admiral (Ret) Voreqe Bainimarama on Wednesday suggesting the letter was causing racial discord and did not unite Fijians.

The letter was written by the Methodist Church's secretary for Christian Citizenship and Social Service, Reverend Iliesa Naivalu, to divisional superintendents.

The general secretary of the Methodist Church, Reverend Tevita Nawadra, says he will be writing to the Prime Minister.

"I will be writing to the Prime Minister to affirm him of our earlier stance that we are willing to work together for the betterment of our beloved Fiji," Nawadra said.

He said the church was optimistic of a good working relationship with the government in spite of the embarrassing issue which had caused a slight rift between the two parties.

Nawadra said the issues raised in the letter were based on resolutions passed in the 2014 conference in which more than 1000 pledgees and lay members representing the 56 divisions of the church deliberated and voted on.

"With the election fast approaching, we wanted our members to be fast aware of the conference resolutions before they make up their own mind on who to vote for.

"As you will see while there are references to past government work and policies, there is no mention of any particular political party.

"My understanding of the situation is that Reverend Naivalu's efforts were well intended."

Source

• The Fiji Times
• Republika
• Image: FijiOne

The new democratically elected Prime Minister of Fiji Rear Admiral (Ret) Voreqe Bainimarama says he intends to govern for all Fijians.

This was his message to about 4000 party supporters who attended the FijiFirst inter-faith thanksgiving church service at the ANZ Stadium last Sunday.

"While I'm sure supporters of other political parties are disappointed, I want to say to them that this is how parliamentary democracy works."

"I also want to say to them that I intend to govern for all Fijians.

"I will be your Prime Minister too because I passionately believe in one nation, one Fiji and that everyone has a place in it, whoever you are, wherever you come from and whoever you voted for."

Bainimarama said he believed that an overwhelming majority of Fijians have turned their backs on the politics of division and embraced a united future.

"We have chosen the path of fairness and justice. The path of equal opportunity,"he said.

"To the minority who are still caught in the past, I say to you, please come and let's all move forward together - we must have an inclusive Fiji in which no one is left behind.

"I am the Prime Minister of all Fijians, for all Fijians."

A Pacific studies academic Steven Ratuva says Bainimarama's landslide victory in the Fiji election is mainly due to his appeal to all ethnicities.

He says the prime minister's FijiFirst party garnered about 58 percent of the indigenous Fijian vote and about 70% of the Indo-Fijian.

"For the Indo-Fijians, since the 1987 coup and since the 2000 coup they've been looking for something and that is political security."

"For them security can be provided most effectively by an indigenous Fijian who provides them that political space and support."

Source

• The Fiji Times
• Radio New Zealand
• The New Zealand Herald
• Image: dw.de

The Catholic Church in Fiji has been conducting workshops for Catholic politicians.

Head of Catholic Church, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong says it is the church's role to train politicians to have an informed conscience and mind.

"You must see that our politicians are coming from varying experiences. Not many of them are trained politicians or lawyers. So it's important that we provide them such a platform from the Catholic Church"

The Archbishop says this is and will be an ongoing exercise for the church.

"We want government to do a better job and that's why church has to be prophetic. That's why we have to form our Catholic politicians in terms of the catholic teaching."

Here is Asia-Pacific Journalism's guide to 10 important things to know when casting your vote.

The guide covers the following questions.

1. What is the proportional voting system?
2. What is the Electoral Decree?
3. How many votes can a voter caste?
4. What is an open list system?
5. Do you vote for a constituency?
6. Is there a voting threshold?
7. How many parties are there?
8. How will a government be formed?
9. Who is observing the election?
10. Can you vote if you do not live in Fiji?

See the answers

Thomas Carnegie is a Postgraduate Diploma in Communication Studies student journalist at AUT University. He is reporting on the Asia-Pacific Journalism course and is Fiji elections coverage editor for Pacific Scoop

Source

• Pacific.scoop
• Fijione.tv
• Image: Screenshot Pacific.scoop

Barr was acting as a character witness for the former Prime Minster Mahendra Chaudhry.

Barr claimed "strong voices in the business lobby" wanted Chaudhry out of the way via the coup of May 2000 because he refused to indulge in "under the table" business dealings.

He recalled comments made by a prominent businessman in Suva (while Chaudhry was PM and Finance Minister) that Chaudhry "does not know how business is done in Fiji" and that unlike other Finance Ministers, "you could make your request, pass something under the table and get what you wanted, but this Chaudhry won't take something under the table and wants everything on top of the table."

Barr went on to question why those involved in the 2000 coup were not investigated despite calls to do so adding that it "appears to me to be an absolute lack of justice that this was never done."

He also criticised the "number of anti-union decrees" and treatment of unionists, and the continued lobbying by employers to keep "workers wages low."

"So, as I said above, it is in the interest of some powerful business people to have Mr Chaudhry out of the way," Father Barr said.

Justice Peter Madigan interrupted Barr's testimony and told him and Chaudhry's lawyer, Matthew Hutchings, that the comments were outrageous and that it was not a court of politics.

Barr then continued with the character reference saying that Chaudhry's record as Prime Minister and Finance Minister was outstanding.

When passing his sentence and highlighting the mitigation in the case, Justice Peter Madigan said Barr had launched into what can only be described as a political anti-government speech.

Madigan said Barr's statement only served to "cancel the work of the rest of the character evidence."

"More outrageously he cast disparaging remarks on the nature of these proceedings against Chaudhry by saying that it was a ‘sad attempt to discredit a great and honourable and a man of integrity for petty, vindictive reasons'."

The Justice said in the light of this contempt of court, he gave no weight whatsoever to Barr's testimonial.

Madigan said Chaudhry's lawyer, Matthew Hutchings must also be seen as a party to this contempt of court "because he had a typed a copy of Father Barr's antipathy."

A month ago Chaudhry was found guilty of having banked almost 1.5 million US dollars outside Fiji without the consent of the Reserve Bank of Fiji

He has been given until the end of next month to pay a fine of one point one million US dollars or he will be jailed for 15 months.
Source

• FijiVillage.com
• FijiToday
• Image FijiLive.com

The new document has been praised, by those who say it provides a blueprint for a democratic future.

It's also been condemned by critics as being nothing more than a tool by which the current rulers can ensure their power is confirmed and extended.

The Citizens' Constitutional Forum Limited (CCF) is a non-governmental organisation based in Suva with more than 10 years' experience in community education and advocacy on Fiji's Constitution, democracy, human rights and multiculturalism.

Source

• Radio Australia
• CCF
• Image: CCF

Chong said interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has used the patron-client political strategy to gain support, particularly with the grassroots iTaukei (indigenous people).

He said studies showed that in the Bainimarama patronage, loyalty to the chiefs and traditional systems had shifted to the army.

"The military had become the institution of patronage. In other words, the form of power, namely patron-client politics exercised by former Fijian governments, has not changed.

"The only recognisable change in Bainimarama's regime was the change in personnel. Instead of chiefs dominating the system, military officers now headed the important governmental institutions."

More than 40 military officers have been appointed to senior positions within the civil service and statutory bodies since 2006, replacing those whose loyalty Commodore Bainimarama has questioned.

Click here for full text of Archbishop Chong's Address to World Association for Christian Communication

Source

• The Australian
• Radio New Zealand International
• Stuff.co.nz
• Image: Fiji World News

This resolution comes at the conclusion of the World Association of Christian Communication (WACC) Pacific Communications Rights for Peace symposium held in Suva last week.

The outcomes statement, released ahead of the International Day of Peace also reaffirms the commitment of church leaders to speak with one voice in society and also within the church community, and to speak together for peace as they face the next 12 months leading up to the scheduled September 2014 election.

President of WACC Pacific, Rev Akuila Yabaki, said the release of an outcomes statement reflects how the participants have reaffirmed their communication values grounded in the Christian faith.

One of the participants, Pastor Wame Sausau, of the SDA Church, said it was important for church leaders to work together to define the common vision of moving forward as a Christian community.

"We will need to speak what the government needs to hear, whether government accepts it or not," Sausau said.

He said churches had a lot of things in common even though they were miles apart in terms of doctrine teachings. "But there are so many things that unite us which make us work together."

The resolution agreed to at the end of the symposium last Friday states that the path to democracy must be inclusive and participatory and walked in humility and love.

It affirmed the churches commitment to work with civil society organisations in the walk towards a truly democratic, peaceful and prosperous Fiji.

Source

• Fiji Sun
• The Fiji Times
• The Fiji Times
• Image: thejournealofaspiritualwonderer

Church general secretary Reverend Tevita Nawadra said they were grateful that government kept its promise for a new Constitution before the general elections in September next year.

"Fiji needs a democratic government and we are on the right path to achieve that," Mr Nawadra said.

When asked of his view on the content of the Constitution, Mr Nawadra said he had not read the document.

"But I am glad we have a Constitution that will guide us through democracy."

The New Zealand Government has also recognised that progress is being made towards the restoration of democracy.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully says the New Zealand Government welcomed recent moves toward elections, including the release of the final constitution, and wanted to support the elections process.

"A senior official from the New Zealand Electoral Commission has recently participated in elections planning work in Fiji. New Zealand will now offer to resource the on-going work that is taking place."

"The Cabinet has also agreed some changes which recognise both the progress that has been made in Fiji and the need for support for free and fair elections."

Not everyone is happy however. Last Friday when about 100 people assembled across the road from Fiji's presidential residence in Suva to protest against the promulgation of a new constitution, Police took fourteen of them into custody and then released some hours later without formal charge.

Source

• Fiji Times
• Pacific Scoop
• Lowy Institute
• Image: The State.com

He says the accusation that they have remained silent, in the face of the abandonment by the interim government of the People's Charter principles, is untrue.

The writer says they did speak out in a 17 November 2011 letter to interim Fiji Prime Minster Bainimarama which has not previously been made public.

He says he believes the letter goes a long way towards redeeming the reputations of these two individuals who clearly held strongly enough to the principles of their Charter to protest in no uncertain terms, when the interim government refused to abide by the principles of the People's Charter they had themselves helped formulate and approve.

He says the recommendations made by Samy and Archbishop Mataca are still of relevance to the problems that Fiji faces today, and have greater weight coming from previous Regime supporters.

Source

• Fiji Today Open Blog
• Image: Fiji Times

There are concerns that the document could be used by the current military ruler Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama to maintain his hold on power.

Critics say that what Bainimarama is doing amounts to a "constitutional coup".

In an interview on El Jazeera Bainimarama denies this. He says he is committed to holding free and fair elections late next year.

Earlier he stated that everyone should make their own decisions regarding the draft Constitution and they are free to make any submissions they like.

He also said all submissions will be considered but that only the best one that will help the country move forward will be taken on board.

A civil society group, Citizen's Constitutional Forum, says the draft constitution concentrates power dangerously in the offices of Prime Minister and Attorney General.

The CCF's head, Reverend Akuila Yabaki, says the power that the latest draft vests in the Prime Minister and Attorney-General is unprecedented in most modern democratic constitutions.

"The draft is reflecting what actually is taking place at the moment unfortunately and not what should be taking place in future. They control nearly all appointments to the judiciary and independent commisions."

Source

• Pacific Media Centre
• Island Business
• Radio New Zealand International
• Image: Screenshot ElJazeera

Having scrapped its commitment to form an expert group to prepare a new constitution, Fiji's interim government has instead given the people of Fiji a fortnight to provide feedback on the draft document.

No details have been given on how the feedback will be collated or analysed.

The final constitution is due out on the twelfth of April.

A Pacific politics expert says the draft constitution contains several unique aspects which may cause problems in the future.

Source

• Radio New Zealand International
• Radio Australia
• Image: Pacific Scoop