Fiji: Human Rights Trauma report
Date: 03 June 2000
FIJI LABOUR PARTY
PRESS RELEASE
Saturday, 3rd June, 2000 (6.00 p.m.)
The People's Coalition is alarmed at the
escalating reports of orchestrated violence
against innocent communities in rural areas
outside Suva. It calls for an immediate
investigation by the Human Rights Commission; and
for urgent protection for these communities by
the security forces.
The People's Coalition has requested the
assistance of a number of people to compile
detailed, documented reports on these disturbing
incidents. These incidents have taken place
especially in the province of Naitasiri, in areas
on both sides of the Rewa River including
Baulevu, Muaniweni, Viria, Nasi, Viti, Tasiri,
Sawani, and Navuso.
Based on the information that has been
forthcoming to date, it is very evident that the
attacks on isolated communities and families are
directly linked to the unlawful actions of Mr
Speight and the hostage crisis. The first
incidents took place on the night of Friday 19th
May, when the Prime Minister and his Government
were taken hostage and they have continued on a
regular basis since that time. The reports also
reveal that the principal culprits are young men
from villages with close kinship ties with
Speight.
These acts of orchestrated intimidation and
violence appear to follow a distinct pattern.
They involve groups of 8 to 10 masked men, armed
with iron bars, semi-automatic rifles, knives and
rocks, some of whom remain on guard outside,
while the others smash their way into a house,
loot, destroy and physically assault the
terrified family members. In many cases, the
young daughters of a family are threatened with
rape if they do not get what they want. Temples
and holy shrines have also been deliberately
targetted.
The raids are methodical and planned to target
Indo-Fijian families living in isolated
settlements. In some instances, the houses are
burnt down altogether. Cases of rape have been
reported both to us and to the media - probably
just the tip of the iceberg in view of the fact
that victims are fearful of reprisals or repeat
attacks if they speak out.
We are deeply concerned about the effects this is
having on these communities. Apart from
sustaining physical injuries, families falling
victim to these acts of lawlessness and thuggery
are now forced to seek refuge and protection from
neighbours, including sympathetic and
generous-hearted Fijian villagers. We are told
that people are living in terror of further
raids, and that women, men and children alike are
visibly traumatised.
It is certainly a tragic irony that in many of
these cases, the (Fijian) perpetrators of this
ugly violence have actually lived alongside their
(Indo-Fijian) victims like family for
generations. These relationships have developed a
unique intimacy that has now been brutally
destroyed, and with it the very fabric of an
integrated and harmonious multi-ethnic community.
This is indeed a crime against humanity for which
Mr Speight and those who support him are directly
responsible.
We should point out that in accordance with
international human rights law, they are
accountable for their crimes, not only to the
citizens of Fiji, but to the international
community as well. Furthermore, under
international human rights law, national security
forces like the army and police are held directly
responsible if they fail to prevent such acts of
terrorism or to protect the community.
The People's Coalition is deeply concerned that
the vigilante groups who are terrorising these
innocent, law-abiding, hard-working and
God-fearing families are being allowed to do so
with impunity. Indeed, there are already reported
cases of complicity on the part of the police,
for example the shameful incident reported
yesterday where police officers were actively
involved in transporting slaughtered cattle and
livestock, root crops and other stolen food
direct to the Parliamentary complex to feed
Speight's men. All this in broad daylight.
As most people in Fiji appreciate, the slaughter
of cattle and pigs in front of Hindu and Muslim
families, as well as the desecration of their
temples, are acts of sacrilege and humiliation
that are deeply offensive to these communities.
We ask why the Fiji Military Forces have not
taken any action to protect these people when
they have declared that their sole purpose for
intervening in the current crisis is to 'restore
law and order'. We urge them to take appropriate
action without further delay.
We are alarmed at the apparent cavalier attitude
displayed by our courts when dealing with these
criminal acts. Derisory fines of no more than $20
have been handed down this week. This is hardly a
deterrent, and it is surely not sending out the
right kind of message to the community.
We are ourselves in the process of soliciting
trauma counselling services for the victims of
these acts of terrorism, especially for the young
children who are demonstrating the effects of
profound distress and psychological trauma.
For further information
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