| NFP
has trapped Indo-Fijians |
|
|
| The great Indian poet and Nobel
laureate Rabindranath Tagore once wrote that, 'The bond of kingship that
prevails within the community not only protects it from wanton cruelty and
injustice from inside but is the natural nerve channel through which we
directly feel our own race in its entirety. |
more |
By Victor Lal |
|
|
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| Judgment:
Injunction against Constitution Review Commission |
|
|
IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
AT LAUTOKA
CIVIL JURISDICTION
ACTION NO HBC 131 2001 L
BETWEEN: JOKAPECI KOROI, MAHENDRA PAL CHAUDHARY & THE FIJI LABOUR
PARTY PLAINTIFFS
AND: ASESELA RAVUVU, JOE SINGH, &
DR. APENISA KURISIQILA |
more |
by Justice
Anthony Gates |
|
|
|
| Fiji:
Permanent Revolution & the ‘Pacific Way’ |
|
|
| On
19 May 2000, a handful of armed men seized Fiji’s parliament buildings
and took the prime minister and senior personnel of the Labour-dominated
government hostage. For almost two months the aristocratic upper echelon
of the indigenous chiefly caste (which commands the loyalty of the armed
forces and the state bureaucracy) dithered. |
more |
Source:
1917
no.23: February 2001
|
|
|
|
| Is
George Speight a dead man walking? |
|
|
George
Speight is doing a lot of praying on Nukulau Island. He also
exercises morning and afternoon and swims in the sea. And he and his
fellow
prisoners complain that they don't get enough vegetables to eat. |
more |
by
Graham Davis |
|
|
|
| The
Myth of Communal Unity |
|
|
| Communal
unity has become virtually a political mantra in post-Speight Fiji. Even
though the case being made for Fijian unity finds its popularity and
legitimacy in the fear of the rank and file of the i taukei that
the “Fijian Heritage” would be lost in its absence, a more
dispassionate scrutiny and discussion is necessary to disentangle some of
the knots that have recently clogged this issue. |
More |
by
Subhash Appana
PhD
Candidate, Department of Management and Employment Relations,
|
|
|
|
| Sugar
Cane Growers Council Election Results |
|
|
|
More |
|
|
|
|
| Interview:
Ratu Mara on Fiji TV, 29 April 2001 |
|
|
| Q:
There seems to be some sort of story, where people believed that
you were very very rich man and your family accumulated a lot of money in
the years while you were a Prime Minister. |
More |
Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara,
Interview with Fiji TV, 29 April 2001 |
|
|
|
| Landowners
forcefully enter propertry |
|
|
| The
National Farmers Union is concerned at the action of some landlords in the
Western Division who are forcefully entering property owned by tenants. |
more |
By National Farmers Union, 2
April 2001 |
|
|
|
| CMAG
Decision on Fiji, 20 March |
|
|
| CMAG reviewed developments in Fiji Islands
since its last meeting in New York on 15 September 2000. The Group
received a report from the Commonwealth Secretary-General on the
activities of his Special Envoy to Fiji, the Hon. Justice Pius Langa.. |
more |
By Commonwealth Ministerial
Action Group |
|
|
|
| President's
Speech, 15 March 2001 |
|
|
| I
HAVE JUST TAKEN THE OATH OF OFFICE AS THE PRESIDENT OF FIJI. I CAN SAY TO
YOU IN ALL SINCERITY, THAT I AM HUMBLED BY THE HONOUR ACCORDED TO ME ON
YOUR BEHALF BY THE GREAT COUNCIL OF CHIEFS. |
more |
President Ratu Josefa Iloilo |
|
|
|
| Ethnic
Fijians' Choice |
|
|
| Ethnic Fijians face water shed decision. Do
they follow the rest of the world into the 21st Century to seek a peaceful
solution and let all the people of Fiji decide what the future portends,
or do they like the mule stubbornly reject both common sense and their
Christian doctrines. |
more |
Raymond
Croxon Q.C.
President, Movement for Democracy in Fiji, 15 march 2001 |
|
|
|
| Speech:
Laurie Brereton, ALP Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs |
|
|
| I’m very pleased to be able to attend
tonight’s fundraising dinner and have this opportunity to speak in the
campaign for the restoration of Fiji’s democracy. |
more |
Laurie Brereton, Australian
Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs |
|
|
|
| The
Problem is the Army |
|
|
| The momentous decision of the
Court of Appeal upholding the continuing legality of the 1997 Fijian
Constitution and the consequential knock-on effect of this being that the
Government we had claimed as being illegal was in fact illegal and
everything it has done has no validity. |
more |
Raymond
Croxon Q.C.
President, Movement for Democracy in Fiji |
|
|
|
| Democracy
on Trial |
|
|
| The importance of the appeal now being heard
by the Fijian Court of Appeal should not be underrated. The result will
either condemn Fiji to years of strife and misery, alternatively it could
restore democracy to Fiji to the lasting benefit of all of its inhabitants |
more |
Raymond
Croxon Q.C.
President,
Movement for Democracy in Fiji |
|
|
|
| Fiji
Court of Appeal Judgment on Regime's appeal against Justice Gates' ruling
on Chandrika Prasad |
|
|
| Civil Appeal No. ABU0078/2000
Between The Republic of Fiji /Attornery general of Fiji
and Chandrika Prasad
Judgment |
more |
By Fiji Court of Appeal, 1
March 2001 |
|
|
|
| US
Department of State Human Rights Report, 2000 |
|
|
| Until
May 19, the country was governed by a democratically elected Government;
however, on that date, following a protest march against Indo-Fijian Prime
Minister Mahendra Chaudhry's Government, armed indigenous Fijian
supremacists led by George Speight, with the support of a number of rebel
soldiers... |
More |
Bureau of Democracy, Human
Rights, and Labor, US Dept of State, Washington, DC |
|
|
|
| Fiji's
Continuing ethnic crisis - Transcript of SBS TV documentary |
|
|
| In Fiji, the coup is over, the world`s media
have departed, but the persecution of ethnic Indians continues. The lucky
ones - the wealthy and the educated - are leaving Fiji in droves. |
More |
by SBS TV Australia |
|
|
|
| NLTB
- Defending Deed of Sovereignity |
|
|
| Letter from NLTB to Military Commander on
NLTB's Deed of Sovereignity |
More |
by NLTB, 20 June 2000 |
|
|
|
| Why
Democracy? |
|
|
|
Do you
want safe water?
Do you want good health?
Do you want enough proper food?
Do
you want a comfortable place to live? |
More |
By Frank R
Eggers |
|
|
|
| Justice
Sir Maurice Casey's decision on Regime's appeal on Stay Order |
|
|
| On 15 November 2000 Gates J.
delivered judgment in the High court at Lautoka in favour of the
respondent in which he made a number of declarations generally to the
effect that the 1997 Constitution remains the supreme law of Fiji |
More |
By Sir Maurice
Casey |
|
|
|
| NLTB
- Deed of Sovereignity Document |
|
|
| INSTRUMENT OF TAKING AND
ASSERTION OF SOVEREIGNTY AND CESSION TO MATANITU VANUA OR TAUKEI CIVILIAN
GOVERNMENT by various chiefs of Fiji.. |
More |
by Native
Lands Trust Board |
|
|
|
| NFU
Submisssion to Commonwealth SG's Special Envoy |
|
|
| On behalf of the National
Farmers Union (NFU), we welcome you, Sir, and members of your team to
Fiji. Your mission, to us, was much awaited. |
More |
by National
Farmers Union, 13 Dec 2000 |
|
|
|
| Heartbreak
- Eviction of tenant farmers |
|
|
| Three sugarcane farmers, all
three brothers living on a single farm in the village of Toge, Ba, some 12
miles from the Ba township, have begun to dismantle their homes and to
seek shelter with their families elsewhere. |
More |
by Dr.
Surendra Prasad, Toge, Ba, 26 November 2000 |
|
|
|
| The
Woes of 2001 Budget |
|
|
| The
2001 budget was delivered yesterday by Finance Minister Hon Kubuabola.
This budget was eagerly awaited by Fiji’s business community
because it was supposed to steer the country from the economic, political
and social turmoil that it is embroiled in now. |
More |
by Dr.
Mahendra Reddy, University of the South Pacific, Suva, FIJI |
|
|
|
| No
future in farming |
|
|
| The
National Farmers Union has warned Indian tenant farmers that there is no
long term future for them in farming and that they should get out of all
forms of agricultural pursuits. |
More |
National
Farmers Union, 23 November 2000 |
|
|
|
| Cane
Farmer Plight |
|
|
| Elected
Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry says he is quite alarmed at the plight of
cane farmers in the Western Division, who are being forced off their land
on expiry of agricultural leases |
More |
National
Farmers Union, 14 November 2000 |
|
|
|
| The
Swiss Constitution |
|
|
Preamble
In the name of God Almighty! We, the Swiss People and Cantons, whereas, we
are mindful of our responsibility towards creation; resolve to renew our
alliance to strengthen liberty and democracy, independence and peace in
solidarity and openness towards the world; are determined to live our
diversity in unity respecting one another...... |
more |
Government of Switzerland |
| Fiji
Trades Union Congress on Constitution Review |
|
|
| The
Fiji Trades Union Congress calls on the Constitution Review Commission to
disband itself in light of the High Court ruling on the 1997 Constitution
delivered in Lautoka yesterday |
more |
Fiji Trades Union Congress, 16 Nov. |
| Fiji
Trades Union Congress on Gates' Decision |
|
|
| The
landmark decision of the High Court establishing that the 1997
Constitution is live and operative should provide the political parties,
the military, the Great Council of Chiefs, and other social and cultural
organizations to put to an end the serious instability and disruptions
that the people of Fiji have suffered since May 19. |
more |
Fiji Trades Union Congress, 16 November |
| Statement
by Aust Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister on Judge Gates' decision |
|
|
| The Shadow Minister for
Foreign Affairs, Laurie Brereton, today welcomed the ruling of Fiji's High
Court upholding the validity of Fiji's 1997 Constitution and its
democratically elected Parliament.... |
More |
Statement by
Aust Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister, 15 Nov. 2000 |
|
|
|
| Statement
by NZ Foreign Affairs Minister on Judge Gates' decision |
|
|
| Foreign Affairs Minister, Phil
Goff, has welcomed the decision by Fiji's High Court that the country's
1997 Constitution remains valid and that the properly elected parliament
be recalled. |
More |
Statement by
NZ Foreign Affairs Minister, 15 Nov. 2000 |
|
|
|
| Judge
Gates' Ruling on Chandrika Prasad Constitutional case |
|
|
IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
AT LAUTOKA
CIVIL JURISDICTION
ACTION NO. HBC0217.00L
BETWEEN: CHANDRIKA PRASAD APPLICANT
AND: THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI 1ST RESPONDENT
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
OF FIJI 2ND RESPONDENT |
more |
Ruling by
Justice Gates on the Chandrika Prasad Constitutional case, 15 November
2000 |
| WHY
RETURN TO CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY?
|
|
|
| It
was pity that our debate with Mere Samisoni on the Television “Close
Up” Programme last Sunday could not have been longer because there were
a few points that I wanted to say.... |
More |
by Jone
Dakuvula; 14 Novemebr 2000 |
| Chaudhry's
Mission for a Democratic Fiji |
|
|
| Fiji’s
deposed Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, is currently visiting the U.K.
campaigning for the restoration of democracy in his divided South Pacific
nation. Centrally, he is lobbying for targeted sanctions... |
more |
by Dr Warwick
E Murray
Brunel University
London, UK
(formerly of the University of the South Pacific) |
| The
kid in the South Pacific Forum |
|
|
| With
the adoption of the Biketawa Declaration by the South Pacific Forum, it
seems Fiji will face the threat of expulsion from the Forum as well, (in
addition to the threat from the Commonwealth and EU/ACP) if we do not have
a Constitution that satisfies international standards in the next 12
months.... |
more |
by Jone
Dakuvula, 30 October 2000 (Published in Daily Post) |
| The
Challenges of an Indigenous Constitution |
|
|
| Kaliopate Tavola, the Interim
Administration's Minister of Foreign Affairs, has just returned from
visiting Europe with rather over-blown triumphalism. His
"success" in warding off European Community Council
sanctions.... |
more |
by Jone
Dakuvula, 25 October 2000 (published in Daily Post) |
| What
reconciliation? |
|
|
| I am sorry that Mere Samisoni
has not responded to my invitation to spell out what she is representing
as the "Taukei World View". Is it the fear of "political
domination" by Indo-Fijians? She obviously had a very low opinion of
.... |
more |
by Jone
Dakuvula |
| Letter:
Critique of Fiji Muslim League's decision to make submissions to
Constitution Commission |
|
|
The claim by some executive
members of the Fiji Muslim League ('League') that
Muslims support a review of our Constitution and demand separate seats
merely because the executive says... |
more |
by A Sayed-Khaiyum, 31 October 2000 |
| Terms
of Reference: Constitution Commission |
|
|
| The Commission shall review
previous Constitutions of the Republic of Fiji and examine Constitutions
of other countries and after consulting widely throughout Fiji, shall
report and make... |
more |
by Interim
Government
Sept/Oct 2000 |
|
|
|
| The Why
and Where of |
|
|
| Mere Samisoni has become more
coherent in her response to my earlier two articles (Daily Post
7/10/2000). Her 17 points attempt to rebut my criticisms of herher and the
current S.V.T.... |
more |
by
Jone Dakuvula
October 10, 2000 |
|
|
| Fiji
- Burma of the Pacific |
|
| The former British colony of
Fiji attained independence in October 1970. It was given a written
Constitution similar to that of most former colonies, with a 'Westminster
style of Cabinet... |
more |
by
John F. Wilson September 29, 2000 |
|
|
|
| The
errors of Mere Samisoni |
|
|
| Mere Samisoni had published a
series of articles beginning on 25/09/00 represented as the S.V.T. Party
view. Here I reply only to some factual errors... |
more |
by
Jone Dakuvula September 29, 2000 |
|
|
|
| The
tidyings that Qarase brought |
|
| The
Government advertisement of Interim Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase (D.P
18/09/00) was, I suppose, the substance of his submission to the
Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group... |
more |
by
Jone Dakuvula September 20, 2000 |
|
|
|
| Fourteenth
Meeting - CMAG - New York -
Concluding Statement - Fiji Islands
(section in full) |
|
|
| CMAG reviewed developments in
Fiji Islands since it had last met on June 6, 2000. The Group received the
report of its mission which visited Fiji in June, and also heard
presentations from the... |
more |
by
Commonwealth Ministers Action Group
September 15, 2000 |
|
|
|
| Defending
George Speight |
|
|
| It is little wonder that Dr
Samisoni and his son had taken the most unusual decision to publicly
dissociate themselves from the views and beliefs of their wife and mother,
Mere Samisoni. In... |
more |
by
Jone Dakuvula |
|
|
|
| Immunity
Decree 2000 - Interim Military Government Decree No. 18 |
|
| WHEREAS as the result of the
attempted illegal takeover of the Government of the Fiji Islands elected
under the 1997 Constitution by Ilikini Naitini also known as George
Speight [hereinafter ... |
more |
by Fiji
Interim Military Government
July 19, 2000 |
|
|
|
| Blueprint
for the protection of Fijian & Rotuman rights & interest, and the
advancement of their development |
|
Introduction
The proposals set out below cover issues which have been of great concern
to Fijians and Rotumans regarding the security of their rights and
interests as the indigenous communities in Fiji, and... |
more |
Presentation
to the Great Council of Chiefs by the Interim Prime Minister, Mr Laisenia
Qarase
13 July, 2000 |
|
|
|
| THE
MUANIKAU ACCORD FOR THE RELEASE OF HOSTAGES HELD AT THE PARLIAMENT COMPLEX
VEIUTO |
|
A. WHEREAS a group of armed
men under the leadership of one Ilikini Naitini aka George Speight
[hereinafter referred to as the George Speight Team (GST)] did on 19th May
2000 at the Parliament Complex at Veiuto, Suva by force of arms seize,
take and have kept as political hostages the Prime Minister, most members
of his Cabinet, some members of the House of Representatives and other
persons (hereinafter referred to as the "political hostages")
Schedule One hereto.
B. AND WHEREAS the GST was immediately joined by other civilians who under
the leadership Ilikini Naitini aka George Speight purported to form a ... |
more |
BETWEEN THE
COMMANDER OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI MILITARY FORCES and HEAD OF THE INTERIM
MILITARY GOVERNMENT OF FIJI of the first part. AND ILIKINI NAITINI also
known as GEORGE SPEITH for and on behalf of himself and his group and
supporters of the second part
July 9, 2000 |
|
|
|
| The
original black-list of 65 hostage takes and Speight supporters |
by
Coalition for Democratic Fiji, New Zealand
June 26, 2000 |
|
|
|
| The
tale of Fijilive |
|
|
| The call came in at 10:45 a.m.
as Fijian magazine editor Yashwant Gaunder was settling into a meeting in
his office in Fiji's capital city of Suva: Less than two miles away, in a
brazen coup attempt, ... |
more |
by Jim
Benning
June 20, 2000
(with permission by author) |
|
|
|
| Fundamental
Rights & Freedoms Degree 2000 - |
|
| IN exercise of the powers
vested in the Interim Military Government under section 2 of the Interim
Military Government and Finance Decree No. 3, I, Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama
MSD, jssc, psc, Comm... |
more |
by Fiji
Interim Military Government
June 15, 2000 |
|
|
|
|
State
Services Decree 2000
- Interim Military Government Decree No. 6 of 2000
|
|
| IN exercise of the powers
vested in the Interim Military Government under section 2 of the Interim
Military Government and Finance Decree No. 3, I, Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama
MSD, jssc, psc, the ... |
more |
by Fiji
Interim Military Government
June 13, 2000 |
|
|
|
| Emergeny
Decree 2000 - Interim Military Government Decree No. 4 |
|
| WHEREAS
given the escalating civil unrest and political uncertainty in the country
with its attendant grave risks to life and property, it is imperative that
the emergency situation continues in... |
more |
by Fiji
Interim Military Government
June 2, 2000 |
|
|
|
| Fiji
- wandering between two worlds |
|
|
| The abrogation of Fiji's 1997 constitution has saddened me immensely. Part of the reason is personal. As a member of the three-man Fiji Constitution Review Commission, I had a small hand in... |
more |
by Prof. Brij
V. Lal
June 1, 2000 |
|
|
|
| Constitution
Abrogation - Interim Military Government and Finance Decree 2000 #3 |
|
| 1.
The Interim Military Government shall have power to make laws for the
peace, order and good Government of Fiji or any part thereof with respect
to any matter whatsoever. |
more |
by Fiji
Interim Military Government
May 29, 2000 |
|
|
|
|
Fiji Constitution Revocation
Decree 2000 - Interim Military Government Decree No. 1 |
|
|
In
exercise of the powers vested in me as Commander and Head of the Interim
Military Government of Fiji, I hereby make the following Decree:
1. This
Decree may be cited as the Fiji... |
more |
by Fiji
Interim Military Government
May 29, 2000 |
