Non Government Organisations in Fiji have come out strongly against claims by Interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry that current human rights champions did not utter a word when he was ousted and when racist policies were introduced by the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua party.
“I think the factors speaks for itself, we see today there are NGO’s and Johnnies come lately becoming human rights champions. But these people were very quiet, they were very silent when similar incidents occurred in the past. And they did not utter a word against the racist policies of Laisenia Qarase in the last 6 or 7 years. And I think when we talk about human rights we need to be honest with ourselves. You need to go back into history and you need to see what was happening during Mr Qarase’s administration. You need also look at whether the electoral system that we have is really representative or really democratic. Or if it is not. These are the issues that the Charter is dealing with.” Mahendra Chaudhry
Chaudhry also said people should put their differences aside and build a Fiji that is truly democratic.
“I think what they should do is support this process. The SDL has been given a voice in this forum, NFP has been given a voice even though it hasn’t won a single seat in the last three general elections. They’ve still been given a voice but they choose to stay out. And if they remain out they will remain out the process will continue because the process is for the good of Fiji." Mahendra Chaudhry
NGOs Speak Out
These comments by Chaudhry have come under fire by prominent NGOs.
The Fiji Women's Crisis Centre said that it’s obvious that Chaudhry does not know what NGOs did back in 1987 and 2000 when his government was ousted.
Coordinator Shameema Ali said the NGOs stance have not changed, back then and now, adding Chaudhry has a very short memory.
It’s very unfortunate that Mr Chaudhry has that view. It’s obvious that he does not know what people did. I can assure Mr. Chaudhry and the people of Fiji that we were very much there.I was one of the people, among many others, who was arrested protesting against Rabuka and his “no other way” and so on and spent a night in CPS (the Central Police Station). If Mr Chaudhry remembers NGO’s like Women’s Rights Movement like the Women’s Crisis Centre they protested outside the outside the Police Academy - when Parliament was being held there – against the Reconciliation and Tolerance Bill, against the Qoliqoli Bill. We made submissions. So we’ve done all those things – we’ve always stood for human rights.Fiji Women's Rights Movements Executive Director Virisila Buadromo says the FWRM has remained committed to Human Rights." Shameema Ali.
Fiji Women's Rights Movements Executive Director Virisila Buadromo says the FWRM has remained committed to Human Rights.
“From the time that the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement was established in 1986. We have maintained a strong commitment to our vision, we have remained steadfastly committed to democracy, human rights and the rule of law. As a result, members of our staff or board members have been arrested or illegally detained in the coups of ’87, 2000 and 2006. We also vehemently oppose any legislation that is not consistent with human rights standards or the rule of law. Where changes can be made we have issued parliamentary submissions outlining recommendations to improve the legislation as well as advocated for amendments through the media and even organized and or participated in public protest.”
The Pacific Concerns Resource Centre Director has also hit out Chaudhry's statements.
PCRC Director, Tupou Vere said Chaudhry should go back and relook at what happened after the overthrowing of his Government as many NGOs were vocal against all Fiji's coups.
"From PCRC’s point of view – that period – a lot of the human rights organizations had expressed concern and we in particular from PCRC in particular we had also made our opposition to the forming of the People’s Coalition Government when the coup in May 2000. And this accusation from the Interim Minister for Finance that human rights groups also did not raise concern when the SDL were putting out policies that were considered racist – we also had made submissions to the SDL government." Tupou Vere
Transparency International said it was not in existence in 2000 and so it would not be able to comment on what happened with Labour Party leader, Mahendra Chaudhry. Chairman Hari Pal Singh said they would have opposed the events of May 19th 2000, if they were in existence.
"Transparency International was not in existence in 2000, therefore we could not make any comments. We came into being in 2001. We were registered around 2003 in Fiji. However, the point is if Transparency International was there at that time, we definitely would have taken a stand against what had happened to Mr Chaudhry’s government." Hari Pal Singh.
Singh said Fiji needed to move ahead, but the procedure should be democratic.
