PRESS RELEASE - Rabuka, Fiji Coup Leaders, and Youths in Fiji
On the 14th May 1987, Military Officers under the leadership of Sitiveni Rabuka carried out a complete takeover of government and in the process ignited a flame of political insecurity, ethnic instability and while redefining the role of the military in the governance of a nation.
Sitiveni Rabuka has this week said that he is sorry for this act and has asked for forgiveness. He has also said that he was wrong!
Fiji has suffered five coups since 1987, (two in 1987, One in 2000, One in 2006 and Easter of 2009 fueling the term Coup culture) and as a result have faced many disturbing development challenges.
One of the most affected by Rabuka's legacy and the Coup Culture are the youths of Fiji. After every Coup Fiji has faced, statistics will prove that because of high migrations, the immediate decrease of investment, trade sanctions, donor agency ban's, diplomatic bans, economic downturn's and human rights violations, youth fall prey in numbers to Suicide, unemployment, Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Crime, school drop outs and Sexually Transmitted Infections. Also the mental health of many people in Fiji has been stained (since than a St Giles Doctor has ruled that 62,000 people in Fiji may be suffering from a form of Mental Illness)
Since 1987, many young people have lost out of opportunities that would have benefited them, their communities and Fiji. So many young people because of varying issues that can be linked to the Coup Culture have also lost their lives. Leaders in Fiji must consider their actions seriously when dealing with the Country, Fiji is a very small nation and the effects of political instability is more constrained.
Also at the immediate aftermath of every Coup in Fiji, Young People have been the target of human rights violations. Since 1987, young people in different capacities have been detained at military installations and most abused. After the 2006 Coup, Military sources claimed that they had detained thousands of youths in an attempt to maintain law and order. A young man Sakuisa Rabaka died as a result of abuse from military officers early 2007 - and during his murders trial tails of human rights abuses handed down to young people by the Fiji military was brought to the forefront. In 2000 young solders were also arrested and some lost their lives. Young people are targeted because in short, they are youth and vulnerable - culturally they are also seen to not have a voice in society.
Rabuka, George Speight, and all other Coup leaders and supporters should now blame themselves for the condition and situation of young people in Fiji today. They should also seek amends for placing undue stress upon the lives of youth since 1987 that has led to Suicides and other social problems, hindering youth progression in Fiji.
Fiji today is still trapped in this cycle of political insecurity and because of the ongoing dictatorship style government is still not helping breed a free and prosperous youth society. Our views of the democratic system of governance have been severely challenged and the role of the military in government shaken.
Fiji youths have been let down so many times by the nations leaders. Rabuka's legacy has left the nation in a state of political and social despair. Only a new brand of young leaders can make better change. Youth hold the key to social and political change; a change that is beneficial to all persons in Fiji regardless of Ethnicity, Age, Religion and Gender. A Fiji brand of Democracy that works for all people and that is accountable and transparent. Youths are the best agents in Fiji that can ensure that Democracy works.
Rabuka and all coup leaders must prepare to go through the court process also and strip away all decree's and laws their have invented to give hem immunity from the Law. By letting the Law take its course will we truly find relief. Coups are a crime against humanity.
Vinaka
Peter Waqavonovono
Fiji Youth Advocate
Links:
http://lyris.spc.int/read/attachment/51372/1/Reports_on_assault_of_democracy_activists%5B1%5D.doc
http://ypcnfiji.com/topical_issues/thousands_in_fiji_mentally_.html
http://intelligentsiya.blogspot.com/2007/02/condolences-for-rabaka.html