Exercise wisdom and restraint; political leaders urged

The Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) is urging individuals to reach out to human rights NGOs to assist.

Council executive director, Vani Catanasiga, said it was important during this national transition that those who felt that they would be victimised to get appropriate support that could also include psychosocial services and referral assistance. Government has the responsibility to protect, an international norm mandated by the United Nations and that means that all parts of government must work towards ensuring that people and their basic rights are safeguarded and protected.

“The Leader of Opposition, Voreqe Bainimarama has urged citizens who are living in fear or whose rights and freedoms as outlined in the Fijian Constitution have been undermined to email the Fiji First party,” Ms Catanasiga said.

“While his concern is commended, his statement is inciteful and from an atrocity early warning perspective; could motivate or drive certain individuals or groups to resort to violence as a response to real or perceived threats insinuated in such a statement. In the past 16 years, the FijiFirst Government has built mechanisms for redress and complaints that had been effective and should have been recommended as a first option in Bainimarama’s statement. These include the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission, Media Industry Development Authority (MIDA) and most of all, the Fiji Police Force.

“In the situation that potential complainants may feel unsafe about reporting, I encourage them to reach out to FCOSS and other human rights NGOs to support citizens’ agency, voice and redress in this country,” Ms Catanasiga said.