Interim Foreign Affairs Minister, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau while talking on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedom at the Melanesian Spear Head Group meeting in Vanuatu highlighted that court hearings of the case by ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase against the State and the Interim Prime Minister commenced without any interference since last year and is in progress.
He said the High Court is expected to deliver its judgment and despite allegations to the contrary, no party has come forward with or offered any proof that the independence of the judiciary has been compromised.
Ratu Epeli told the summit that the judiciary remains firmly committed to upholding the rule of law and continues to exercise its powers as enshrined in the constitution.
Media Freedom
The Interim Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, has addressed the deportation of the publishers of the local dailies at the meeting of the Melanesian Spearhead Group in Vanuatu. He told the meeting that the government had received credible evidence that the two - Fiji Sun’s Russell Hunter and Fiji Times’ Evan Hannah – had conducted themselves in a manner that was deemed prejudicial to national security.
Nailatikau also emphasized Interim Government’s stand to always will uphold the freedom of the media and the freedom of expression.
He said that the Interim Government had not at any stage planned to gag the media.
Nailatikau added that the due process of the law pertaining to Hunter and Hannah's removal was strictly followed. He added that the Court Order issued by the High Court intended to stop the two's removal, was not received by the Director of Immigration or any staff of the Department on the day of their departure. He pointed out that it had to be sighted by them to be effective.
He added as this did not happen, the Immigration Officials had no other legal obligation but to execute removal proceedings.
Human Rights
The Interim Minister for Foreign Affairs Ratu Epeli Nailatikau said offenders have been put through the courts and sentenced accordingly.
Nailatikau, who was speaking in Vanuatu, said under the section of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedom that allegations of infringements of human rights have been dealt with and highlighted that police officers involved in the death of Tevita Malasebe have been jailed and sentenced to life in prison.
Under the topic of the Rule of Law, Nailatikau said fundamental human rights are guaranteed under international law. He said Fiji's Constitution remains intact and continues to be observed and respected.
Nailatikau said with regard to all cases of complaints of brutality by the security forces or deprivation of other human rights lodged with the police authorities, internal investigations are being conducted to ensure that those infringements – if they did indeed occur – are dealt with appropriately according to the law.
The Interim Foreign Affairs Minister said all other cases regarding human rights abuse and assault by members of the security forces are also now before the Courts awaiting trial.
Fiji Committed to Elections
The Interim Minister for Foreign Affairs also reaffirmed the Interim Government’s commitment to a free, fair and transparent democratic election in March 2009.
He told Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting in Vanuatu that $3.5 million had been allocated for voter registration and this process is expected to begin as early as next month.
He added that preparatory work is already underway by the Bureau of Statistics, the Electoral Commission and the Electoral Boundaries Commission.
The Interim Minister spoke on five issues, mainly the work and progress towards elections in March 2009, the National Council for Building a Better Fiji and its work, the Rule of Law, the Independence of the Judiciary, Human Rights and Fundamental Freedom, and Media Freedom.
Nailatikau, along with Interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and other members of the Interim Government are at the meeting in Vanuatu.
