FIJI: WiPC voices serious concerns about attacks on free expression — 02.11.2011
The Writers in Prison Committee of PEN International is deeply troubled that since the introduction of the Public Emergency Regulations by the military authorities on 10 April 2009, the right to freedom of expression in Fiji has been severely curtailed.
According to PEN’s information, the enforcement of the Public Emergency Regulations has led to numerous human rights violations in the name of ‘maintaining public safety’, including the arbitrary arrest, harassment and intimidation of government critics, human rights activists, lawyers, judges and journalists, who can be held arbitrarily for up to seven days on suspicion of endangering “public safety or the preservation of the peace” solely for the peaceful expression of their views. Since April 2009 at least seven journalists have been targeted for their critical reporting. Most recently, on 18 February 2011, Fiji Times journalist Felix Chaudhary was briefly detained and warned for his investigative business reporting. His arrest appears to be part of an ongoing pattern of intimidation against journalists and others for their criticism of the authorities. PEN is also troubled by widespread reports of detainees being subjected to torture or other ill-treatment with apparent impunity. Many victims reportedly choose not to make complaints because of their lack of faith in the police force and the Fiji Human Rights Commission.
The Public Emergency Regulations grant broad powers to the authorities to implement severe restrictions on broadcasting and publication, and unprecedented powers appointed to the Permanent Secretary for Information to revoke the licence of any media outlet that prints, publishes or broadcasts anything that portrays the government in a negative light. Furthermore, a new media law promulgated on 25 June 2010 further restricts media freedom in Fiji by legislating for the arbitrary seizure of media equipment and documents, the forcing of journalists to reveal their sources, and mandating a rule that 90% of newspaper shareholders be Fijian residents and citizens. This has threatened the closure of Fiji’s oldest and most critical newspaper The Fiji Times, which is owned by an Australian company.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS:
- calling on the government of Fiji to immediately repeal the Public Emergency Regulations, and to stop the arbitrary detention, harassment and intimidation of government critics, journalists and activists solely for their critical reporting.
- urging an independent investigation into allegations of torture and other ill-treatment of those held for their critical views so that those responsible are brought to justice;
- calling upon the Fijian authorities to ensure that the right to freedom of expression is explicitly protected in domestic law, in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.
- calling upon the government to ensure the full independence and effective functioning of the Fiji Human Rights Commission, and to put an immediate halt to the censorship of the Fijian media so that the people of Fiji are able to publish views critical of the government without fear of arrest or intimidation or punishment.
SEND APPEALS TO:
President of the Republic of the Fiji Islands
Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
Office of the President
Government House
Berkley Crescent
P.O. Box 2513, Government Buildings
Suva
Fax: +679 3301 645
Salutation: Your Excellency
Prime Minister & Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces
Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama
Prime Minister’s Office
Government Buildings
Fax: +679 3306 034
Email: pmsoffice “at” connect.com.fj
Salutation: Dear Prime Minister
Please send a copy of your appeal to:
Ms Cheryl Jean BROWN-IRAVA
First Secretary
High Commission of the Republic of Fiji
PO Box 159
Deakin West ACT 2600
admin “at” aus-fhc.org
Chargé d'affaires
Australian High Commission, Fiji
PO Box 214
Suva
Fiji
public-affairs-suva “at” dfat.gov.au