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YPCN Fiji - The Voice of the Future

Press Release : On the current failure of our Interim government to adhere to Human Rights Principles and support the 1997 Constitution.  Issued 2nd June 2009

There is an increasing need for Fiji’s current interim junta to take Fiji back to a more appropriate democracy under the confines of the 1997 Constitution.

The people of Fiji have no direct channel to voice their grievances after the heavy censoring of our media, the restrictions of our Judiciary and Fiji Human Rights Commission in acknowledging the existence of the 1997 Constitution and facilitating human rights recourse, that surround the abrogation of the 1997 Constitution or the current leadership styles exercised in Fiji today. New decrees and state appointments have been made without public consultation and further block public opposition to these ACTIONS.

“Why than do they claim that they serve the people of Fiji and that they respect human rights, when the most common civil courtesies are neglected and redress denied” says YPCN President Peter Waqavonovono, and he adds “Forcing people of Fiji to accept decisions without question is a return to pre-colonial times, these are very different time, and the people of Fiji are educated enough to know that they have the right to have a say in the running of their nation”

The network see’s what is happening in Fiji currently as the de-democratization of our nation.

We ask that the interim government consider dropping all decrees and state appointments and return Fiji under the 1997 constitution. Allow for the rule of law to take its course and all facets of the state return to pre-Easter state administrations. In this light the President under the 1997 Constitution can elect a new interim administration and take Fiji to economic recovery and parliamentary elections.

“Right now, what is needed is patience and peaceful reflections on what have happened in Fiji so far. We have work within the law and under the god given citizen rights of the people of Fiji. In the end, the common Fiji citizens are the people you hurt and block from exercising the responsibilities or rights” Waqavonovono adds.

The YPCN reaffirms that it will support any moves and be part of any restorative programs if done so under the 1997 Constitution, even a blanket pardon for civic crimes can be considered but cases of human rights abuses and murder be exempt.

“The youth of Fiji are suffering from measures taken by the international community in response to the interim administrations non compliance with democratic principles and than there are very sad economic and social repercussions that are forcing youths to commit suicide and engage in troublesome activities like crime, substance abuse and loitering due to low self esteems. We need our leaders to be responsible and take us back to a parliamentary Democracy” say Mr Waqavonovono.

The YPCN.

Press Release: Youth of Fiji sidelined in Rabaka release 

The YPCN is disappointed with the release of men who were convicted 4 weeks ago for the death of Sakuisa Rabaka, a young man from Lautoka. The Release of the Soldiers and a police officer found guilty of manslaughter is crime in it self.

The YPCN has since 2007 pushed for better standards for youth and inclusion as well as protection of young people in Fiji. We have used the memory of Rabaka as the corner stone of our work and fuel for our passion.

When Rabaka was admitted at the CWM hospital, Suva, a delegation of YPCN members visited the Rabaka and his family. We also argued that young people should not be detained just for been youth, as was the case at that time. We lobbied with many stakeholders even the than interim government for the immediate halt of youth hate crimes organised by the security forces.

Through certain blogsites that reported on the hospitalisation and death of Rabaka, the YPCN carried a huge part in informing and discussing the implications of youth hate crimes during those times.

Rabaka's death was a case that many young people in Fiji go through. Where they are silenced, exploited and abused by persons in power, isolated from their rights, and pushed conveniently on the side. Many youths in Fiji can testify to the hardships of growing up in Fiji.

Recently, we have been made aware that the murderers of Sakuisa Rabaka have been released over a Community Services Order and are in society. This is totally unfair, and speaks volumes of the value for youth in Fiji by those in authority.

The coup of 2006 was done in name of corruption and the release of coup sympathizers from prisons in Fiji has part of the coup agenda led by Voreqe Bainimarama. Now the leaders are releasing murderers after 4 weeks in prison. how hypocritical and biased.

Youths in Fiji have relayed messages of fear that the 9 'Youth Killers' are free. Young people who provided testimony in the Rabaka Trail are also directly in harms way, with four weeks been little time for any manslaughter prisoner to come to terms with anger and closure on emotions. The many youths who have been detained by the 9 Youth Killers will also brace themselves for sleepless nights.

Youth in Fiji need to be taken seriously and it is about time that we not sidelined anymore for someones convenience and taken advantaged of because of traditional and social implications that prevent youth from voicing their own concerns. Youth hate crimes need to dealt with appropriately if youth are be advanced and prepared for better futures. People convicted of youth hate crimes, must also be seriously dealt with and not allowed to roam our streets four weeks after they were convicted, for the death of a young Fiji Citizen.

Why are they different?

This is a human right violation and a miscarriage of justice. This act has made a mockery of the Justice System and placed even less trust the leadership of this country. And than we have Pacific Island Prime Ministers of the Solomons and Tuvalu offering support to the Dictatorship we have. Is this the system they support, a system that strikes fear and intimidation into the lives of their own citizens. We call on the Leaders of the Pacific to get real with Fiji, and see the real picture and unite in means to progressively take us back to a Democracy.

The YPCN is discussing a process to campaign against the release and send the murderers back to jail. We owe this to the memory of Sakuisa Rabaka, our hero and the reason youth activism needs to continue under these strange circumstances.

For more information anad details, contact YPCN Fiji

WHO WE ARE :

Young Peoples Concerned Network FIJI  is a group made up of strong minded and strong willed young people of Fiji who are concerned about issues that affect them and are willing to stand up for these ideals and make their voices heard.

WHAT WE BELIEVE IN :

We are a group of young people dedicated to the ideals of democracy and where our beliefs and vision encompass the principles of free speech, human rights, the rule of law and the basic tenets of our constitution.

We believe that everyone is born free and equal in the world and thus everyone should have the same opportunities in education, healthcare and employment.

Every Young Person in Fiji needs to be empowered through the dissemination of information, the provision of opportunities and the realisation of their goals so that they in turn can pass this on to the next generation and thus build a positive, vibrant and an empowered Fiji.

OUR CONCEPTION : 

In it's early conception in 2005, YPCN Fiji realised that the ideals of good governance and the survival of true democracy was under threat. This threat came from the Commander of the Military Forces. YPCN took to the streets trying to bring this to the attention of Fiji's leaders.

While this early demonstration did not deter the course of Fiji's history, it went a long way to empower the members to be vocal again about the 2006 takeover. YPCN Fiji will go down in the History of Fiji as the only group in Fiji who openly protested about the the death of Democracy in our Island immediately after the takeover.

Ours was a young voice of reason. It was a young voice of plea. 

It was a voice that in turn went on to capture the attention of many from Fiji and around the globe. 

LOOKING FORWARD ....... OUR GOALS , OUR VISION, OUR JOURNEY :

YPCN Fiji then realised that ...yes..we had arrived, we can make a difference, and making a difference is what matters.

YPCN Fiji  is a group that is positive about the future of Fiji and is prepared to dream big.

We envision a generation of empowered Fiji Islanders working together and achiving a durable democratic economy. 

We envision a future where young people get access to information, education, healthcare, work opportunities, basic needs and a future free from the shackles of poverty, strife, uncertainity and greed.

YPCN Fiji remains steadfast in it's endevour to make our voices heard and our opinion count.   

Please email us you support and talk to us so that we can make these goals happen.

Email us : peterwaqa@gmail.com