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