53 Pathick Cresent, Namadi Heights, Suva
Bula
Shaista Shameem really thinks that International Organizations like the International Bar Association have to seek her advice or the guidance of the Fiji Human Rights Commission. We are led to believe in an article published in the Fiji Times (09/03) titled 'IBA's lost chance' that the IBA "lost a wonderful chance, not only to be fair and impartial in its assessment of the rule of law in Fiji, but also to show it".
Ms Shameem's complaint does not take into account the tribulations the IBA team faced in trying to get into Fiji. From the very start their reputation and agenda was questioned through the media by the Interim Attorney General and even by Ms Shameem, and than because of Qarase vs. State case, the IBA were told not to come into Fiji. This was done even after there was an overwhelming outcry for the IBA observer team to come and obeserve, and than tell us whether what we have been fearing all this while, that our Judiciary was no longer independant.
I have read the IBA report on the rule of law in Fiji, and I am impressed. Shaista Shameem cant believe after reading the Fiji Times and other media for more than two years now, that something is definitely wrong with the unlawful removal of civil servants, interference of the Interim Government in the Judiciary, human rights abuses, the militarization of the state, public threats made through the media by our Interim Prime Minister, poor economic reforms that only benefit the Interim Government, a huge chunk of our budget placed into the RFMF coffers, and current drama happening where we are told that in order to have elections we have to accept the Peoples Charter.
And than we have always known that our Interim Attorney General lied to the nation when he said that Forum Eminent Group of January 2007 concluded that the judiciary was independant. It was the opposite.
In the light of all this illegality and disregard for human rights and the rule of law, where does Shaista Shameem the chairwoman of the Fiji Human Rights Commission stand? Is she part of this Junta?
Maybe the whole of Fiji can reflect on the reasons why Shaista Shameem and the Fiji Human Rights Commission have since 2006 been largely discredited and isolated from the International, Regional and Local Human Rights Community. This leads me to another question, do we really need the FHRC especially when its independence is questionable. Or do we need Shaista Shameem?
Peter Waqavonovono
Suva
PH: 714 8480