In the interest of free speech, Loyal Fijian is publishing this Media Release that was sent to us. Our commitment today as always is to a free and fair media.
Arbitrary detentions and media censorship is alarming
The Citizens' Constitutional Forum (CCF) is concerned at the arrest and detention of people by the police and military, and at the inability of Fiji's public to be informed about these, due to heavy media censorship.
"The current caretaker government has extended the imposition of the State of Emergency regulations for another 30 days. The continuing arbitrary arrests and detention of civilians by the police and military for questioning is a worrying trend. We fear that this may become worse," CCF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rev Akuila Yabaki said.
The first arrests took place after the abrogation of the 1997 Constitution on April 10 2009, when President of Fiji Law Society Mr Dorsami Naidu and a Fiji TV journalist Mr Edwin Nand were arrested and detained. In the weeks to follow, a politician Iliesa Duvuloco was detained. Two journalists were arrested on May 9 and released after two days. Rumour has it that currently, a Methodist preacher has been arrested and detained.
"The censorship of media means that it is difficult to verify how many more people are or may have been arrested and detained. These detentions are breaching basic human rights. These detentions will create a bad international reputation for Fiji and will have a negative impact on efforts to move the country forward," Rev Yabaki said.
For further information, please contact CCF Executive Director Rev Akuila Yabaki on ph: 3308379, fax: 3308380.
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Rev Akuila Yabaki
Chief Executive Officer
1 comment:
Loyal - i think you need to champion a solution. From your readings i have summarised that you dont support the Coup and the media censorship etc but you also rightly point out that a lot of the other blogs are hypocrits ie they support Coups etc when it suits them, they support racists like Lasaro (he is can't stand for freedom as he was a 1987 and 2000 Coup supporter - a big hypocrit)
I think what we need are people who have no history or association with previous racist coups or policies on Fiji. Lets all accept that Qarase was driving certain policies which were racist to strengthen his power base..
We need well qualified people without the history of having supported coups or previous racist government to give an alternative option for Fiji ie to take over from the military in the next 2 to 5 years. Is Jone Baledroka one of these people?
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