Fiji: Treatment of members and supporters of the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SLD) [United Fiji Party], in particular treatment of non-elite indigenous Fijians

In December 2006, the commander of Fiji's military forces, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama overthrew the government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, leader of the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SLD) [United Fiji Party] (UK 5 Sept. 2007; US 13 Dec. 2007). The SLD party, led by Qarase, won elections held in 2001 and 2006 (UK 5 Sept. 2007).

Treatment of critics of the regime

According to From Election to Coup in Fiji, a book published by the Australian National University (ANU), critics of the coup have been "effectively silenced" by the military (2007, 434). The book, which includes contributions by various academics and other experts, states that the military regime has targeted politicians, civil society activists and outspoken lawyers (ANU 2007, 436). It provides several examples of specific individuals who were detained at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks (QEB) (ANU 2007, 343 and 436) and "subjected to intimidation and harassment" (ibid., 436). One man named was allegedly beaten to death (ibid.).

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2006 corroborates that the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) have detained and mistreated those who opposed the coup, sending them to the QEB (US 6 Mar. 2006 Sec.1.c.). Media sources also corroborate that some critics of the regime have been taken to military camps (Fiji Times Online 11 Dec. 2006; Lawyers Weekly 22 Feb. 2007) where they have been "abused and intimidated" (ibid.). Moreover, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for an investigation into reported allegations of "arbitrary detentions, beatings, and harassment of more than a dozen individuals" as well as the death of one man in custody (5 Feb. 2007). HRW reports that activists, members of the business and media community and private citizens have been detained, apparently without warrants (5 Feb. 2007). The United Kingdom (UK) Foreign and Commonwealth Office reports that there have been numerous accounts of human rights violations taking place in the barracks, specifically mentioning that journalists have been detained and human rights activists largely silenced (5 Sept. 2007). The same source states that, as a result of these detentions, journalists are now practising self-censorship (UK 5 Sept 2007). Some of those who made statements against the regime have also been subject to a travel ban (Lawyers Weekly 22 Feb. 2007).

Treatment of SDL members/supporters

A Research Fellow at Australian National University (ANU) who wrote a chapter on the aftermath of the coup for the book From Election to Coup in Fiji commented on the treatment specifically of SDL members in 16 January 2008 correspondence with the Research Directorate. His comments are contained in the following paragraph.

The Research Fellow stated that after the coup, SDL leader Laisenia Qarase travelled to his home island of Vanuabalavu and was prevented by the military from returning to Suva [the capital]. The Research Fellow reported that that other members and supporters of the SDL have been harassed. He cited specific examples of senior SDL members, such as Peceli Kinivuwai [SDL National Director], Ted Young [SDL Acting National Director] and Mere Samisoni, Member of Parliament (MP). He said Peceli Kinivuwai had been taken at least six times to the QEB where he was beaten. Ted Young had been beaten on several occasions, as had Mere Samisoni. The ANU Researcher further stated that those SDL MPs "who have remained silent, acquiesced or jointed the new interim government" have not experienced harassment.

Media sources corroborate the detentions of Peceli Kinivuwai, Ted Young (Fiji Times Online 11 Dec. 2006; ibid. 21 May 2007) and MP Mere Samisoni (Islands Business 14 Dec. 2006).

In a 16 January 2008 interview conducted by the Research Directorate, a professor of economics at Acadia University with a research interest in Fiji likewise stated that various members of the SDL, including Mere Samisoni, have been taken to the barracks, beaten, intimidated, and forced to do physical exercises (16 Jan. 2008).

Treatment of non-elite SDL members/supporters who are indigenous Fijians

According to the Research Fellow from ANU, poll results from May 2007 indicate that around 80 percent of indigenous Fijians support the SDL (16 Jan. 2008). From Election to Coup in Fiji states that authoritarian rule has been directed at both indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians, but stated that indigenous Fijians have "felt the brunt of military repression" since they are the group most opposed to the new regime (ANU 2007, 436). The ANU Research Fellow commented on the intimidation of non-elite indigenous Fijians as follows:

There has not been any systematic harassment of indigenous Fijian SDL supporters ... although there have been many cases of harassment of ordinary citizens (including SDL supporters) for speaking out in opposition to the coup, for alleged offences at the military checkpoints, for alleged "corruption" and as part of the wider "clean up" campaign targeting bootleggers, nightclubs, drug dealers, prostitutes etc.... Many were taken to the RFMF [Republic of Fiji Military Forces] barracks in the first few months after the coup, but this seems to have abated. (Research Fellow 16 Jan. 2008)

The Acadia University Professor corroborated the information that while people were taken to the barracks after the coup first happened, this is occurring less frequently (16 Jan. 2008). He voiced his opinion that people are now practising "self-censorship" (Professor 16 Jan. 2008).

The ANU Research Fellow commented that the government is seeking to build support among indigenous Fijians by means of its National Council for Building a Better Fiji initiative (16 Jan. 2008). According to a statement from the prime minister's office, the government of Fiji intends to use this initiative "to rebuild Fiji into a non-racial, culturally vibrant and united, well-governed, truly democratic nation..." (Fiji 21 June 2007).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Australian National University (ANU). 2007. From Election to Coup in Fiji: The 2006 Campaign and its Aftermath. Edited by John Fraenkel and Stewart Firth. Canberra: Asia-Pacific Press. [Accessed 16 Jan. 2008]

Fiji. 21 June 2007. "Statement by PM's Office – Proposal National Council for Building a Better Fiji." [Accessed 18 Jan. 2008]

Fiji Times Online. 21 May 2007. "Ted Young Questioned by Military." [Accessed 17 Jan. 2008]
_____. 11 December 2006. "Fiji Military Moves to Silence Dissent." [Accessed 10 Jan. 2008]

Human Rights Watch (HRW). 5 February 2007. "Letter to Interim Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and President Ratu Josefa Iloilo of Fiji." [Accessed 10 Jan. 2008]

Islands Business [Suva]. 14 December 2006. "Ousted PM Party Calls for Mass Civil Disobedience." [Accessed 17 Jan. 2008]

Lawyers Weekly. 22 February 2007. Kate Gibbs. "Top Lawyer Embattled in Fiji Coup." [Accessed 10 Jan. 2008]

Professor, Acadia University. 16 January 2008. Telephone interview with the Research Directorate.

Research Fellow, Australian National University (ANU). 16 January 2008. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

United Kingdom (UK). 5 September 2007. Foreign & Commonwealth Office. "Country Profile: Fiji." [Accessed 17 Jan. 2008]

United States (US). 13 December 2007. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). "Fiji." The World Factbook. [Accessed 2 Jan. 2008]
_____. October 2007. "Background Note: Fiji." [Accessed 29 Jan. 2008]
_____. 6 March 2007. Department of State. "Fiji." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2006. [Accessed 22 Jan. 2007]

Additional Sources Consulted

Internet sites, including: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Amnesty International (AI), British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Freedom House, Maori News Online, Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC).