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A PEEK INTO THE TWISTED WORLD OF KHAIYUM BROTHERS: Graham Davis lifts the veil on Riyaz and Aiyaz Khaiyum and their feral hold on Fiji

11/8/2020

"The AG’s [Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum] modus operandi isn’t genuine consultation and consensus building. He is always the smartest person in the room, with a monopoly on both knowledge and righteousness. And he routinely uses both the dispensing of patronage and the fear of retribution to silence his critics and ensure that those around him are invariably nodding in furious agreement with him or not in the room at all. A genuine democrat, he is not. And the conga line of permanent secretaries who have left – including the PS at the Ministry of Health in the middle of a pandemic – is testament enough to the gross dysfunction at the heart of government...The AG’s power has been consolidated over the years as he has progressively gained control not only over the government’s legal affairs but over the economy, the civil service, climate change, civil aviation (including Fiji Airways) and communications, including both technical communications and information. Which is where I came in, reporting directly to the AG from September 2012 and becoming the government’s principal communications advisor until I resigned from Qorvis in June 2018." Graham Davis, 11 August 2020

TAKING FFP to election defeat

*For better or worse, the AG [Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum] has become a lightning rod for dissatisfaction in the country and a dead weight on the government’s electoral prospects in 2022. Rather than growing in the job and in the estimation of the electorate, he is actually shrinking in stature, looks physically depleted and is said to be increasingly isolated and paranoid. He has surrounded himself with people who reinforce his own towering self-belief and has become impervious to proper advice and criticism. And his notoriously thin skin has become a huge political liability for FijiFirst, with the latest evidence of that, his astonishing attack last week on an elderly woman who had the temerity to question him about government policy on a talkback session on the national broadcaster run by his brother. With a withering look recorded by the studio camera and an accusation that the woman was “speaking like a politician”, she was promptly cut off by the compliant presenter. It was an extremely bad look that translated into strong criticism of the AG on social media, even among formerly staunch supporters.

*The AG’s modus operandi isn’t genuine consultation and consensus building. He is always the smartest person in the room, with a monopoly on both knowledge and righteousness. And he routinely uses both the dispensing of patronage and the fear of retribution to silence his critics and ensure that those around him are invariably nodding in furious agreement with him or not in the room at all. A genuine democrat, he is not. And the conga line of permanent secretaries who have left – including the PS at the Ministry of Health in the middle of a pandemic – is testament enough to the gross dysfunction at the heart of government.

Scratch the surface in Fiji and you will soon also discover a climate of fear in which even people of standing in the business community and government are extremely cautious about what they say. This has steadily eroded business confidence, not bolstered it, as business figures are obliged to sit through rambling, off the cuff speeches from the AG, admonishing them for their lack of initiative, telling them how to run their own businesses and even more galling for them, lecturing them on their lack of patriotism.

*Under the AG’s leadership, some of the most important institutions of state have been weakened or manipulated to the government’s advantage. One of the most striking aspects is the prevailing nepotism that allows his brother to simultaneously run the national broadcaster and play a key role in the FijiFirst election campaign..."

Riyaz Khaiyum

*In November 2018, the AG’s brother, Riyaz, the CEO of the national broadcaster, FBC, asked me to lobby the Prime Minister to make the AG formally Deputy Prime Minister. But by then, the AG and his brother had just presided over the disastrous FijiFirst campaign that had taken the government to the brink of defeat at Fiji’s second election after the return to democracy and if anything, the prize had slipped further away.

*Under the AG’s leadership, some of the most important institutions of state have been weakened or manipulated to the government’s advantage. One of the most striking aspects is the prevailing nepotism that allows his brother to simultaneously run the national broadcaster and play a key role in the FijiFirst election campaign.

HEAPING praise on money man nephew

*And for his aunt, Nur Bano Ali, to head the Fiji Chamber of Commerce and effectively act as the sole recognised conduit between the business community and the AG in his twin role as Minister of Economy. Aunty Nur routinely praises the government in the Fijian media without anyone questioning her glaring conflict of interest – something that would raise eyebrows sky high in any other democracy. But by far the worst aspect for me is the creeping acceptance of what would once have been unacceptable and what Frank Bainimarama partly mounted his 2006 takeover to root out – corruption.

CORRUPT Minister in the ranks

*Only the very naïve would expect any developing nation like Fiji to be entirely corruption-free. But I was shocked to the core when the AG told me in the closing stages of my participation in government that one of his own cabinet colleagues was corrupt. The defamation laws prevent me from identifying the person in question. But I left this encounter deeply disturbed that while FICAC – the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption – is routinely sooled on anyone else suspected of being involved in corrupt behaviour, the same alacrity seemingly doesn’t extend to the AG’s own colleagues.

"The best course of action, in my view, is for Frank Bainimarama to reassert himself, initiate a sweeping cabinet reshuffle and set a reformed FijiFirst government on a radically new tack. There is a brace of talented ministers in the government whose personal qualities and professional abilities have been eclipsed by the AG’s insistence on control who can readily form the backbone of a reinvigorated front bench, surround themselves with proper advisors and seek the best counsel available both in Fiji and from its friends in the world, who genuinely want to assist. But the change must happen as soon as possible to give a new team time to regroup, implement fresh policies and embark on a less arrogant and more consultative approach to win back the popular vote."

Read Full Article: www.grubsheet.com.au/as-i-was-saying/

GRAHAM DAVIS TO RESUME HIS GRUBSHEET: Fijileaks sources say the calling for removal of Aiyaz Khaiyum and reform of Government up front!

10/8/2020

COMING SOON: Small islands under existential threat. Grubsheet returns from a six year hiatus with new information and insights as Fiji and the rest of the region reels from the unprecedented challenges of Covid-19, economic disintegration, poor governance, big power plays and threats to our climate and oceans. We’ll be fighting the secrecy, spin and fear of retribution that has stifled genuine national debate and come to characterise much of the conduct of government and the mainstream media. Never has it been more important for a fresh battle of ideas among Pacific islanders and Pacific watchers to chart a way forward. And you’ll soon be able to join that battle at grubsheet.com.au. You can also contact me in the strictest confidence at grubsheetcontact@gmail.com. Graham Davis

Fijileaks: His friends inform us that "while he is still loyal to Frank Bainimarama, FijiFirst’s near loss at the last election has convinced Graham Davis that the party can only win in 2020 if it reinvents itself with a major cabinet reshuffle, including the departure of the Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. He says the country is craving humility and proper consultation in government rather than the viavialevu (arrogant) and veibeci (looking down on everyone) attitude of the AG and his supporters”.
Grubsheet Feejee is the blogsite of Graham Davis, an award-winning journalist turned communications consultant who was the Fijian Government’s principal communications advisor for six years from 2012 to 2018 and continued to work on Fiji’s global climate and oceans campaign up until the end of the decade.
Fiji-born to missionary parents and a dual Fijian-Australian national, Graham spent four decades in the international media before returning to Fiji to work full time in 2012. He reported from many parts of the world for the BBC, ABC, SBS, the Nine and Seven Networks and Sky News and wrote for a range of newspapers and magazines in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.
Graham launched Grubsheet Feejee in 2011 and suspended writing for it after the Fijian election of 2014, by which time he was working at the heart of government. But the website continued to attract hits as a background resource on events in Fiji in the transition back to parliamentary democracy.
Grubsheet relaunches in 2020 at one of the most critical times in Fijian history, with the nation reeling from the Covid-19 crisis and Frank Bainimarama’s government shouldering the twin burdens of incumbency and economic disintegration.
Grubsheet’s sole agenda is the national interest; the strengthening of Fiji’s ties with the democracies; upholding equal rights for all citizens; government that is genuinely transparent and free of corruption and nepotism; and upholding Fiji’s service to the world in climate and oceans advocacy and UN Peacekeeping.
Comments are welcome and you can contact Graham in the strictest confidence at grubsheetcontact@gmail.com
(Feejee is the original name for Fiji - a derivative of the indigenous Viti and the Tongan Fisi - and was widely used until the late 19th century): Source: Grubsheet Feejee

HISTORY MEN PASS AWAY: One stood his ground upholding RULE of LAW and other VIOLENTLY overthrew the Bavadra government in 1987, fire-bombing, beating, and chasing Indo-Fijians out of Fiji under Rabuka

10/8/2020

JUSTICE KISHORE GOVIND passed away in Australia (9 August 2020) and his nemesis APISAI TORA passed away in Fiji (6 August 2020). We look back at the straigh-forward life of Justice Govind and will do a longer obituary on the violent and volatile Tora later on. While Govind found himself imprisoned by Rabuka, Tora went around rounding up Indo-Fijians, many who had spent their lives helping him. He was the most VIOLENT and FEARFUL FACE of Rabuka's FIJI FOR THE FIJIANS. He might have mellowed in old age but along with the RACIST Sitiveni Rabuka, the snake Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, and the gullible Ratu Meli Vesikula, they drove thousands upon thousands of Indo-Fijians out of Fiji after their planned coup on 14 May 1987 - to coincide with the anniversary arrival of the first Indian indentured labourers - 14 May 1879

"In September [1987], the army took full control. His Lordship [Justice Govind] was arrested at his home and taken to the prison in Suva where he was held for three nights in the maximum-security wing. Whilst being held in prison, death threats were made against his family. Meanwhile, all the judges of the Supreme Court resigned, rather than serve under the new regime. It became too dangerous for Kishor and his family to remain in Fiji and the hard decision to leave was made.". He left for Australia before the racist coupist Rabuka could expel him out of his native Fiji.

Justice Kishor[e] Govind, OBE

By Luigi Lamprati (2002)
BAR NEWS, The Journal of the NSW Bar Association, Summer 2002/2003

Human rights lawyers and New South Wales Barristers, particularly those practising in criminal law, have been gratified at the recent appointment of Kishor Govind OBE to the High Court of Fiji. His Lordship took up his appointment on 31 July of this year.

The appointment was in effect a resumption of his Lordship’s previous tenure, which ceased in the aftermath of the 1987 coup. His Lordship’s career to date has been one marked by distinguished and courageous service to the law and the cause of human rights, combined with an extraordinarily diverse contribution to public and community affairs in his native Fiji.

After graduating in law from Victoria University(Wellington) in New Zealand, Kishor was admitted in 1961 as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand and Fiji. He established his own firm which, in time, became one of the largest law firms in Fiji. Kishor specialised as a barrister, practising mainly in criminal law and family law. He appeared as counsel in several high profile murder trials. He also assisted many who were unable to afford legal expense by performing much pro bono work.

He played a central role in the drafting of the Agricultural, Landlord and Tenant Actwhich figured importantly in the life of Fiji as the legal basis of land tenure for non-ethnic Fijians. Between 1977 and 1981 he was president of the Law Society of Fiji. Apart from his legal practice, Kishorinvolved himself in a variety of other areas.In the field of public affairs, he was mayor of his home town of Ba for 12 years and a member of the Fiji Parliament for five years. He was president of the Fiji Local Government Association for four years and, in 1980, was awarded an OBE for services to local government.

A keen sport lover, he was, in turn, president of the Ba Soccer Association and manager of Fiji Soccer. He became vice-president of the Fiji Sports Council.He has been and remains very active in the field of human rights. He is a member of the Lawasia Human Rights Committee, having formerly been vice-president ofLawAsia and chairman of its Human RightsCommittee. Kishor has presented numerous papers on human rights and legal aid at various law conferences.It came as no surprise when Kishor, with such a distinguished record of service to the law and human rights and the wider community, was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of Fiji in1985.

His Lordship served as a judge until 1987, when Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka staged a coup.The judges declared that the coup notwithstanding, they intended to function according to their oaths of office. The relationship between the government and the judiciary deteriorated rapidly. The army arrogated to itself control and purported to abolish the 1970 Constitution. In August of that year, in opening the Supreme Court criminal sessions, his Lordship spoke out strongly against the position of the army which saw itself as supreme arbiter of the law and the rights of citizens. In forthright terms, he declared that the judiciary could not supinely acquiesce in what was happening, pointing out that no one was above the rule of law. He condemned the practice of arbitrary detention, declaring it to be ‘odious’, anathema to democracy and contrary to the Constitution. He reminded lawyers, and members of the Bar in particular, of their duty to stand fast and speak out against the evil of arbitrary detention.

These public comments of his lordship, which became front-page news in Fiji, scarcely endeared him to the military. Within a short period, he himself was detained. In September, the army took full control. His Lordship was arrested at his home and taken to the prison in Suva where he was held for three nights in the maximum-security wing. Whilst being held in prison, death threats were made against his family. Meanwhile, all the judges of the Supreme Court resigned, rather than serve under the new regime. It became too dangerous for Kishor and his family to remain in Fiji and the hard decision to leave was made.

He came to Australia.Kishor was admitted to the New SouthWales Bar in 1987. He worked for a time in the Office of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and then moved to the NSW Office of the Director of PublicProsecutions. In 1989 he was appointed as a crown prosecutor. He prosecuted at many trials, mainly in the western districts of Sydney and was well respected as aknowledgeable and competent counsel in the field of criminal law. His engaging personality and dry sense of humour made him a popular figure. In Sydney, he was able to indulge his love of sport, especially cricket.

Colleagues also noticed the development of an enviable talent for the selection of winners in the sport of kings!His interest in human rights continued, and from time to time he gave addresses on the subject. He is a gifted after dinner speaker.In 2001, Kishor resigned as a crown prosecutor. He later worked in New Zealand assisting in the repatriation of Fijian Indians. He was then invited to return to Fiji, where constitutional order is now very much improved, and to take up again his position as a judge of the(now renamed) High Court. Poetic (and real) justice! His return to judicial life in Fiji was greeted with enthusiasm by his numerous friends and former colleagues.

At his swearing-in, the spokesman for the Bar bluntly told his Lordship: ‘The country needs more judges such as you’. It was a particular source of pleasure to his lordship that many of those attending had been without access to convenient transport but, nevertheless, were determined to be present and had gone to great lengths to be there.

His Lordship assumed his position in Fiji with the best wishes of both branches of the profession in New South Wales and his many friends in Sydney. With family members now settled here, it is expected that his Lordship will visit regularly.

Govind Park was named after Mr. Kishore Nand Govind

Shortly after the bitterly fought 1982 general election, Apisai Tora claimed in Parliament that the action of the NFP in the then election was a show of arrogance (viavialevu) and insults heaped on the Fijian chiefs could only be made by people belonging to the lowest caste (kaisi bokola botoboto). An NFP parliamentarian, Jai Raj Singh, protested against the Fijian terms used by Tora, but the Alliance Speaker Tomasi Vakatora (who earlier had defeated the FNP leader Sakiasi Butadroka in his Rewa constituency) overruled the objection, saying the words had been used in the Fijian Parliament. Excerpted from Victor Lal, Fiji: Coups in Paradise - Race, Politics and Military Intervention

SUN, SAND, SEA + SNUB: BIG 'MADUA' for 'KADER KHAN KHAIYUM' if New Zealand excludes FIJI and invites COOK ISLANDS into its Bubble

9/8/2020

New Zealand has taken another BABY step towards re-opening to the world, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announcing quarantine-free travel to the COOK ISLANDS "this year", Putting NZ FIRST

GANESHGATE at the Solomon Islands National University. As SINU Vice-Chancellor Dr Ganesh Chand says he has not received any allegations made against him, we publish the raft of allegations levelled against him

8/8/2020

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The current impasse between the Lecturers Association of Solomon Islands National University (LASINU) and the Solomon Islands National Univeristy General Staff Association (SINUGSA) against Chand, whom they want ousted as Vice-Chancellor, has been referred to the Solomon Islands Trade Disputes Panel (TDP). Chand, who is currently in Fiji, told The Fiji Times reporter Anish Chand last month that the allegations made against him are 'preposterous, malicious and defamatory'. He said there was no truth to any of the allegations: "None whatsoever." Typically, The Fiji Times ran with his denial story. We do not know if Anish Chand or the Fiji Times had the raft of allegations on them. How could the readers judge for themselves? A lengthy Fijileaks investigation, however, raise some serious questions. Since our series of expose on Ganesh Chand's shenanigans at the Fiji National University, he has cut all contact with us.

Ratusaenile

ISSUES
Spying of emails of staff
Description
No.
(1)
While there is no direct mention of the VC's involvement to spy on the staff e-mails, it can be construed that the order to conudct this exercise must be approved from higher office at SINU, and this must be none other than the VC.

This is illegal as it intrudes into privacy of individual's staff and everyone invloved in this must be questioned and appropriate action taken against them. We believe that the chain of command in this illegal activity stops at the office of the VC.

The Internal Auditor and Manager have no right to spy on any staff's email even if it seemed as auditiing work. This is abus eof power of those concern[ed].

Please refer to attached email exchanges between the Manager of ICT, the Internal Auditor and certain ICT staff.

(2) Abuses of Recruitment/Conflict of Interest
1. Vinod Sami Narayan (Executive Officer)
According to the investigation that we have carried out that Mr Vinod was appointed to the post of Executive Officer at the Vice Chancellor Office without going through the due process of recruitment. HR was not part of the interview process. Vinod was the only candidate interviewed by the Vice Chancellor, Dr Jack Maebuta and Executive Assistant of the VC despite a number of Solomon Islanders [having] applied for the post with qualification matched the job requirement. VC was also a referee to VINOD. VINOD was offered the post at Band 2.8 of the SINU salary structure which only fit for the local to be considered at the level. This is clearly abuse of power by the VC to bypass the mandated department to offer and recruit VINOD despite the VC is a referee and reated to VINOD when he was the VC of the FNU. Conflict of interest to say at least. This is a Band Two position that should be localized and priority should be given to qualified Solomon Islanders. We noted that the VC has the executive power under the SINU Act to recruit but shall be according to relevant policy direction. We also found that the candidate is a nephew of the VC. Refer to CV and Cost Implication attached. (Fijileaks: We couldn't get comments from Vinod Sami Narayan)

2. Maikali Tokaibureqa Naika (Internal Auditor)
In our Findings that the position was advertised by the SINU Human Resource Department and attracted 4 applications from qualified Solomon Islanders, and included Maikali. The VC had instructed the Acting Director Finance Minton Banisi and Director Planning to etsbalish a committee on 25th July 2019 to conduct an interview with Maikali.

Minton and Noelyn sensed that something was not right and went to see the Director HR. The Former Director (Riby Tupiti) of HR was shocked when she learned from Minto that the VC did not want the HR to be part of the interview of Maikali. For purposes of transparency, equal opportunity and consistency in recrutiments, DHr (Riby) recommended that process of proper screening of candidates must need to be followed through and screening be carried out by the committee and interviews done by the committee as well. This is where the VC got red-handed and agreed to include HR on yhte process.

An interview was conducted only for Maikali as instructed by the VC. On the same day, the VC approved the interview report and instructed the HR to send the offer letter to Maikali. The HR hesitated to send the offer and conducted a reference check [with] the Vice-Chancellor of FNU. [Nigel Healey].

Joerex emailed the FNU VC to get more detail of the suspected forgery letter submitted by Maikali with his application. Prop Nigel (VC of FNU) replied that the FNU reviewed the reference and cross checked with the FNU HR records. Prof Nigel regrets that the FNU cannot confirm the authenticity of the references sent by Maikali with his application. (Fijileaks: We will be publishing Professor Healey's reply to us in the next instalment). This is clearly a forgery case by Maikali on his part to produce false reference letter to HR. The VC was also a referee to Maikal's application and failed to consider the reference checked by HR. The DHR forwarded the reply by the FNU VC to the VC for his information and decision. Instead, the VC ignored and proceeded with instruction to HR to recruit and facilitate Maikali's travel arrangment to the Solomon Islands. Attached evidence of the reference letter and FNU reply to Joerex Raukaniu. Refers to Cv attached. This is clearly abuse of power, conflict of interest and negligence of HR process. See attached for cost implication and economic leakages.

"Advertisement of SINU vacancies in Fiji Times. Why use Fiji Times and none in the local newspapers. Use the University website for such advertisement. VC has personal interest in these procurements."

The Fiji Times, 5 July 2020:

Solomon Islands National University vice chancellor Dr Ganesh Chand has described allegations made against him as preposterous, malicious and defamatory.

Staff of SINU have written to the university council chair Dr Culwick Togamana, asking for Dr Chand’s removal as the vice-chancellor.

The Fiji Times asked Mr Chand, who is presently in Fiji, if there was any truth to the allegations.
“None whatsoever,” he said.

The SINU staff association have accused Mr Chand of financial mismanagement and abuse of procurement and recruitment processes.

He said he had been fighting corruption at the university since taking up office in March 2019.

“We have already started in this direction and dismissed staff found to be involved in such practices.

“We will continue to transform SINU into a clean, transparent, and credible university,” he said.

Mr Chand said he had not received any allegations made against him. He said he would operate the university “according to its laws and policies”.

Fijileaks: TO BE CONTINUED

IS THIS CHARACTER REFERENCE A FORGERY? Allegation: 'The VC [Ganesh Chand] was also a referee to Maikali's application and failed to consider the reference checked by HR."

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SKATING ON THIN ICE: Nature, Geography, and Smallness has spared Fiji from the ravages of Coronavirus and NOT Aiyaz Khaiyum's handling of the virus, so PLEASE stop taking CREDIT and playing ball with LIVES

7/8/2020

Summer sunlight can kill coronavirus in just 30 MINUTES, virologists find. US researchers found powerful UV light could destroy 90% of virus on surfaces. Separate studies claimed sun can kill virus lingering in the air in just six minutes. So, is it strong Fijian Sun, or 'Sun-God Khaiyum' who has kept COVID19 out of Fiji? What about the Caribbean Islands?

In May, Fijileaks had challenged a Canadian research team's findings that temperature and latitude did not appear to be associated with the spread of Covid 19. We had asked one of the Team leaders to explain why there had been few recorded cases in small Pacific Island nations and also in the Caribbean Islands that have recorded very low Covid deaths.
"Can you explain why there are no deaths in Fiji Islands, and other small Pacific island nations?
Is it because the SUN is constantly in the atmosphere with bouts of rain???????". Our questions were sent before the recent deaths were reported in Fiji. The team leader replied and questioned us as follows:
"We didn’t look at solar radiation, but temperature, and we didn’t look at deaths but epidemic growth. Fiji was not included in our analysis as they hadn’t reported 10 or more cases and local transmission by the cutoff date used. So, they were either lucky, had good travel restrictions or public health measures in place or underreported cases."
Three questions to you:
1. What’s the attack rate on Fiji, and do they quarantine incoming travellers?
2. What public health measures are implemented and when were they?
3. How do they test and how do they attribute causes of death?
QUESTION MARK: The New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden had informed Parliament that Fiji's testing level in proportion to the population in Fiji were too low, therefore their zero case status would be treated with a degree of scepticism.

CARELESS: In a dictatorship, citizens are naturally wary of CareFiji App

Confirmed Caribbean Coronavirus cases as of 7th August:

Dominican Republic- 76,536 cases, 1246 deaths, 40,539 recovered
Puerto Rico- 8230 cases, 265 deaths
French Guiana- 8127 cases, 47 deaths, 7240 recovered
Haiti- 7582 cases, 171 deaths, 4832 recovered
Cuba- 2775 cases, 88 deaths, 2409 recovered
Suriname –2096 cases, 29 deaths, 1446 recovered
Jamaica- 958 cases, 12 deaths, 745 recovered
Bahamas- 761 cases, 14 deaths, 91 recovered
Guyana- 538 cases, 22 deaths, 189 recovered
US Virgin Islands- 522 cases, 9 deaths, 398 recovered
Guadeloupe-279 cases, 14 deaths, 179 recovered
Martinique-276 cases, 15 deaths, 98 recovered
Aruba- 236 cases, 3 deaths, 114 recovered
Trinidad and Tobago- 210 cases, 8 deaths, 135 recovered
Cayman Islands-203 cases, 1 death, 202 recovered
Sint Maarten- 176 cases, 16 deaths, 86 recovered
Bermuda- 157 cases, 9 deaths, 144 recovered
Turks and Caicos- 141 cases, 2 deaths, 39 recovered
Barbados- 133 cases, 7 deaths, 100 recovered
Belize- 114 cases, 2 deaths, 32 recovered
Antigua and Barbuda- 92 cases, 3 deaths, 76 recovered
St Vincent and the Grenadines- 56 cases, 46 recovered
Saint Martin- 53 cases, 3 deaths, 41 recovered
Curacao-31 cases, 1 death, 30 recovered
Saint Lucia- 25 cases, 24 recovered
Grenada- 24 cases, 23 recovered
Dominica- 18 cases, 18 recovered
Saint Kitts and Nevis- 17 cases, 16 recovered
Montserrat- 13 cases, 1 death, 10 recovered
British Virgin Islands- 9 cases, 1 death, 7 recovered
Saint Barthelemy-9 cases, 6 recovered
Saba- 5 cases, 3 recovered
Bonaire- 5 cases, 2 recovered
Anguilla- 3 cases, 3 recovered
Sint Eustatius- 3 cases, 3 recovered

'It was Qiliho who was enjoying with Frank on the ground that night'. One of the RFMF commanders present during the beatings of pro-democracy activists on Christmas Eve. Virisila Buadromo recounts her 2006 beating

6/8/2020

RFMF's Underwear Fetishism: 'After 10 minutes a masked officer, fair bloke with one pip which I noticed rushed to my cell door and warned me, "O na veka bogi ni kua ni boko na icina, raica o na veka". "You will shit tonight once the light is turned off." He disappeared as soon as he uttered those threatening words...In the morning, he ordered that I take off my underwear and threw it out of the window. He also removed the mattress I was sitting on. I did this and sat down naked on the floor...He ordered me to squat on my hind legs whilst pulling my ears. I did this...6-8 soldiers started throwing punches at me...The fair officer squeezed my mouth, cursed and threw punches into my face.."
A native Fijian businessman's written statement to
Fijileaks Founding Editor-in-Chief, 21 May 2007, for the book (with Russell Hunter)
Treason in Paradise: The Inside Story of Fiji's 2006 Coup

VIRISILA BUADROMO, 2007:
"Yeah, they did it to all of us, I thought if she [Laisa Digitaki] said yes [she was pregnant], they wouldn’t, but they did. I didn't think they would but they still did it and that's when they started really physically assaulting us, smacking, boxing your ears, so to speak, smacking up your ears, hitting your face with their boots, kicking you in the ribs and they made us lick their boots, do really degrading things like that. Then they started to threaten our families. They knew all these details about our families and they basically said things like "You know we could kill you now, put a bullet through all your heads, put you in a drum and throw you out of the wharf of or down at the Suva harbour, no-one would know and no-one would miss you".

*"I felt a t**oad placed between my thighs and I heard a soldier say that a toad be given to Virisila to hold.* Laisa Digitaki

CROAKING in the dark with the Fijian Cane Toad was Sitiveni Qiliho
Human Rights activist Virisila Buadromo's account of her detention at the military's Nabua camp as told on Dateline, Australia, Fiji: After The Coup during an interview with reporter Bronwyn Adcock back in 2007. Buadromo knew she was in trouble when she heard herself named on radio by Commodore Frank Bainimarama after the 5 December 2006.

VIRISILA BUADROMO, FIJI WOMEN’S RIGHTS MOVEMENT: He specifically named myself as well as one of my board members, as people who were not helping Fiji get back on the straight and narrow.

Just before midnight last Christmas Eve, Virisila was taken from her home by the military. She had run an advertisement giving out Bainimarama's mobile phone number urging opponent's of the coup to text him. She was taken into the barracks.

VIRISILA BUADROMO: They kept on asking me in Fijian, who did I think I was, you know, putting out the Commander's mobile number, publicising his mobile number, do you realise what you have done. While questioning me they had a gun which they uncocked and cocked and they put it up to my head and just saying, you know what we could do with this.

Virisila was then made to lay face down in the rain, along with six other pro-democracy activists.

VIRISILA BUADROMO: That's when they started to physically abuse us. One of the things that, which I thought was quite strange, they asked all the females, “are you pregnant?” I was like no, and I was wondering what that was about. I remember Laisa saying yes and then immediately they just, with their boots stamped on your back, on your lower back. So they did it to all three females.

REPORTER: Did they do it to the woman who said she was pregnant.

VIRISILA BUADROMO: Yeah, they did it to all of us, I thought if she [Laisa Digitaki] said yes [she was pregnant], they wouldn’t, but they did. I didn't think they would but they still did it and that's when they started really physically assaulting us, smacking, boxing your ears, so to speak, smacking up your ears, hitting your face with their boots, kicking you in the ribs and they made us lick their boots, do really degrading things like that. Then they started to threaten our families. They knew all these details about our families and they basically said things like "You know we could kill you now, put a bullet through all your heads, put you in a drum and throw you out of the wharf of or down at the Suva harbour, no-one would know and no-one would miss you".

Virisila says she is now a lot more careful with her criticism.

VIRISILA BUADROMO: Before, I would never have thought twice about putting out a statement. I never would have thought about putting out a statement, gotta say something, whereas now, following on what happened to me, I am very aware of not the repercussions on me but my staff being threatened and another of my colleagues has been threatened recently. We have to be careful about these things. We are operating in an environment of fear, you never know.

Lt. Col. Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara, the former Commander of the 3FIR, accused Bainimarama of beating up the human rights activists
In a statement released on 28 May 2011, Lt Colonel Mara gave a graphic account of how coup leader Bainimarama assaulted a group of women at military barracks outside Suva. Bainimarama believed he needed to clamp down on protests.
"Anybody, too vocal, was taken up to QEB barracks where they were assaulted and humiliated," Mara said. "If he was not attacking their bodies he was attacking their property and organized a number of arson attacks against the people of Fiji." On night he said three Pro Democracy Movement women, Laisa Digitaki, Virisila Buadromo and Jacquline Koroi were brought up to the camp along with youth activist Pita Waqavonovono. They had constructed a pro democracy shrine.
"It was a pitch black night when the girls were brought to the barracks," Mara said. "There were a number of soldiers present including the Commander of the RFMF, Bainimarama. "He was wearing a bush hat, brown overalls and no obvious signs of his rank. "The men were hanging back unsure what to do. This was the first time there were women in the camp needing to be silenced.
"Bainimarama landed the first blow." He then continued to punch and kick them. "When they had fallen to the ground he jumped on their backs and continued with the beating. "The girls could not see who was attacking them and for a long time it has been blamed on (Land Force Commander Colonel) Pita Driti.
"It was not Driti but Bainimarama, the man who calls himself the Prime Minister of Fiji."
Mara said he did not take part in the beatings and to the question why didn't he stop it, he replied: "You can't tell your commanding officer to stop anything at that time." "But that, is not really a good reason and I regret I did not do more. "I apologize to you, Laisa, Virisila, Jacqueline and Pita and when I am back in Suva I will answer to you all."

Frank Bainimarama was BEATING us up at Barrack:
"I looked up to see Frank Bainimarama kicking and verbally abusing me. He called soldiers to come and drag me to the cricket pitch. A soldier came to me and pulled me by the hair, and started cutting patches of my hair off. I was told that he would cut me up and throw me in the sea – that no one would care about me." Pita Waqavonovono

Have you signed the petition?
https://www.change.org/p/fijians-all-over-the-world-keep-qiliho-out-of-uk

TORTURE FOOTPRINT: QILIHO'S Big Boot Marks on SIX Pro-Democracy activists on Christmas Eve 2006. Their statements expose ARMY "terror intimidation tactics", similar to Nazi Gestapo and Idi Amin on civilians

5/8/2020

Qiliho's Torture Instrument: Fijian Cane Toad

"I felt a toad placed between my thighs and I heard a soldier say that a toad be given to Virisila to hold. She was lying face down next to me on my right and Imraz on my left. Imraz was then told to crawl a distance forward and back again while they kicked him."
Laisa Digitaki

Qiliho: Stamping authority and control with his boots

The former Deputy Chief of Mission
Richard Pruett in Fiji:
While much of the alleged abuse was perpetrated by lower ranking and unknown RFMF soldiers, those detained reported that the following high ranking RFMF personnel were present, orchestrated and in some cases perpetrated the abuse: (3) Sitiveni Qiliho Tukaituraga, Colonel, DOB: 30 December, 1969."

The six were identified as Fiji Women's Rights Movement executive director Virisila Buadromo and her partner Arshad Daud, businesswoman Laisa Digitaki, businessman Imraz Iqbal, youth activists, Jackie Koroi and Pita Waqavonovono

Richard Pruett

EXPOSING TORTURE AT THE BARRACKS: The former Deputy Chief of Mission
Richard Pruett in Fiji to his Masters in Washington
"Embassy Suva submits the following credible evidence of gross human rights violations by members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the Fiji Police...They were beaten, punched, kicked, and made to crawl on all fours in the rain. One woman was allegedly asked whether she was pregnant and after she replied in the affirmative, a soldier stood on her stomach...While much of the alleged abuse was perpetrated by lower ranking and unknown RFMF soldiers, those detained reported that the following high ranking RFMF personnel were present, orchestrated and in some cases perpetrated the abuse: (3) Sitiveni Qiliho Tukaituraga, Colonel, DOB: 30 December, 1969."

LAISA DIGITAKI’S STATEMENT & SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
RE – PRO-DEMOCRACY GROUP OF FIVE ROUNDING UP AND BASHING
BY THE RFMF ON DECEMBER 24th‑25th, 2006

On Christmas Eve night of 24th December, 2006, a group of soldiers came to our home at 12 Kavika Place, Muanikau, Suva at around 11.20 pm in a rental car registration number LR627.

Members of the family who were at the property at that time were myself, Laisa Digitaki, my partner, Sitiveni Weleilakeba, our son, Mosese Qionibaravi (19), and three daughters, Susana Qionibaravi (17), Fiona Weleilakeba (13) and Natasha Weleilakeba (8). A security guard was also on duty.

According to the guard, Marau Vakaloloma, of Matrix Security Company, the soldiers advised him through the closed electronic gate that they were there to take me to the camp. The guard told them to wait outside the gate so he could advise us. He rang the door bell which was answered and opened by our son Mosese. My partner Sitiveni, who was asleep with me heard the door chime and also went downstairs to the front door to check.

He said the guard told him of the soldiers’ presence and he told our son to go back to his room and that he would talk to the soldiers. He walked over to the closed electronic gate and was informed by the soldiers that the order from their superior was to take me to the camp for interrogation. My partner then came back into the house, to our bedroom, and woke me up saying that a group of soldiers was outside waiting to take me away.
I went downstairs in my sleeping gown and asked them why they wanted to take me at that ungodly hour. One of them said that I needed to be taken to the camp immediately.

I told them that I needed to speak to my lawyers at Munro Leys as I wanted to be escorted by them too. The guy mentioned that I need not speak to my lawyers as it would only complicate matters and that they needed to take me peacefully and that I should not fear as they claimed that we were all related anyway. He also said that another group of soldiers was on their way and their job was to forcefully remove me from my home if I resisted. The gentleman who seemed to be their spokesman looked familiar to me as the SDL Nasinu Branch Secretary. I do not know his name.

I asked their spokesman if I could change into decent clothes of which he said yes. I went back to our bedroom and changed into a mustard Marcs three-quarter pants, a “Fiji Me” bright green round neck T‑Shirt, pink golf cap, and brown leather Hush Puppies slippers. Before I walked out of the house, I called my Munro Leys lawyer, Mr Richard Naidu, to advise him of what was happening. I then walked out peacefully and into the yellow rental car with the soldiers.

I was introduced by the spokesman to each of them and he mentioned that the one sitting on my left was from Vanuabalavu, Lau, and the one on my right was from Namosi. The Namosi lad looked like the person who headed the Namosi soldiers who presented an apology to Commodore Bainimarama for their part in the 2000 coup. I do not know his name. The other two soldiers were calling him “Sir” so I can only assume that he is a high ranking officer. Their spokesperson did not elaborate on the driver, who was also an indigenous Fijian.

They mentioned that they were also after Imrana Jalal, Virisila Buadromo and the rest of our pro-democracy youth group. Imrana’s home is two houses away from mine and I told them to leave her family alone and that there was no point in going to Imrana’s home since she was away overseas for business anyway. The four soldiers were very friendly and we were even cracking some jokes on our way to the camp. They said that most of the soldiers were SDL supporters and that I shouldn’t be afraid.

I told them that even-though I helped with the SDL election campaign, I was totally against most of the things they came up with soon after the election and that I was not supporting SDL but was doing what I was doing not for the restoration of the SDL government but for the restoration of democracy and law and order in Fiji.
As we arrived at the camp, I was told to walk into a room situated on the left hand side of the main gate which I will call the guardhouse. The Namosi soldier gently requested that I hand over my cap, Sony Ericsson mobile phone and Raymond Weil watch, which I did.

They told me to sit a while on a white plastic chair and after a few minutes, I was led into a passage way from where I was sitting and realised that they were cells. On my left, I noticed two young men asleep in the first cell in their underwear snoring and noticed another figure in the same cell but couldn't figure out whether it was a person as it was quite dark. On my right, I noticed my business partner, Imraz Iqbal, lying on his back on the cold cement in his red underwear. I greeted him before they locked me in the cell opposite Imraz’s.

After a few minutes, they opened the cell again and led me further down to the last cell where they locked me up again. The cell was darker than the one before. An indigenous Fijian soldier in civilian clothing came to me and started accusing me of talking against the army takeover. He ordered that the mattress I was sitting on be removed so that I could sit on the cold cement floor. More indigenous Fijian soldiers walked over to my cell to peek with some saying their “bulas”' while the others did not utter a word. Overall, the soldiers at the guard house were pleasant and not intimidating except for that gentleman who was angry about my pro‑democracy stand.

After about 20 minutes in the cell, the Namosi soldier came and freed me and asked if we could go together to get Pita Waqavonovono, another pro‑democracy advocate. He was very apologetic and told me that he was very sorry with all that was happening and the inconvenience it was causing. I told him it was OK and that I fully understood that he was only doing his job for his family’s welfare. As I walked out of the guardhouse, I saw a man that looked like Meli Bainimarama, Commodore Bainimarama’s son in full uniform and watching me walk out. The Namosi soldier led me to a four-wheel drive parked outside the guardhouse.

He sat at the front passenger seat with the driver on his right while I sat alone at the back seat. They drove me to Pita Waqavonovono’s dad’s house, Mosese Waqavonovono, opposite the St Agnes Primary School at lower Mead Road. The gate was locked and there were dogs barking from inside the gate. By then, I noticed another white car with more soldiers parked next to the car I was in. I deduced that it may have been an unmarked escort. The Namosi soldier then asked me politely to call Pita and to explain to him that he needed to come out and to join us peacefully.

I called Pita who advised that he lived with his mum and step‑dad at 58 Pathik Crescent Place in Namadi Heights. I explained to him that the soldiers wanted to talk to our group and that it was important that he adhere to their orders and to join me peacefully when we get to his place. He agreed. Our entourage went straight to Pita’s house where I was again requested by the Namosi soldier to call Pita to walk out peacefully. His step‑dad, Ratu Timoci Vesikula, came out first and asked the Namosi soldier what he wanted in the Fijian language. The soldier explained that they were there to take Pita to the camp. Ratu Timoci asked the soldier as to what type of leadership the army was doing for demanding his child’s removal from their family home to the camp. The soldier replied that they only wanted to ask him some questions.

Ratu Timoci asked the soldier whether it wasn’t enough for the army that his child was already taken to court for his peaceful protest and why the army demanded further interrogation when the matter was in court. The soldier replied that he was only carrying out orders from his superiors. Ratu Timoci then asked for Commodore Bainimarama’s number to tell him how disgusted he was with the way the military was treating his son and their leadership style. The soldier and Ratu Timoci exchanged angry words and the soldiers admitted that he did not know Commodore's mobile number. Ratu Timoci then invited the soldiers in for a cup of tea but the soldiers rejected his offer. He then sought assurance from the soldier that if they were to take his son, the army will have to make sure that they return him in one piece to their home.

The soldier agreed. Ratu Timoci then walked back into the house and walked Pita to the car I was in. Ratu Timoci and his wife said their “hellos” to me and we were transported back to the camp where I was dropped off again at the guardhouse. Pita was asked by the Namosi soldier to accompany another group of soldiers to pick Jackie Koroi as they were not sure where she lived. The soldier made some calls on his walkie-talkie. He then advised me to run with him to a place he called the officers’ mess which was about 100 metres away from the guardhouse. He led me to this semi-open hall which was in total darkness.

As we entered I noticed the silhouette of I person standing in the hall which turned out to be Virisila Buadromo. As I moved closer to talk to her, I heard a man’s voice call out that Virisila move some 10 metres away from me. I saw another silhouette of a man standing across the hall from me. I could not see their faces as it was very dark. Both man started asking us in the Fijian language why we were making their lives miserable by talking against the military. I did not answer and one of them asked us to give them a reason why they should keep their soldiers out at the check‑points during Christmas.

I answered that they were doing their job. They then demanded an answer from Virisila but she did not answer. One of them asked me whether I was intelligent of which I answered no. One of them moved closer to me, he would be the same height as me but with a bigger and firmer built. He wore a hat pulled down to about eye level but I couldn’t make out who he was as it was too dark.

His voice sounded familiar to that of [Land Force Commander] Pita Driti. He lifted his arm and cocked a hand gun in my face and asked me whether I knew that sound. I answered that I did. I could see the silhouette of the hand gun from the speck of light from a far off tube light at the top left hand corner of the building we were in. He then ordered me to sit on the floor at the spot where I was standing.

I scratched my hair and he yelled [asking] why I was scratching my hair. I told him that a bug crawled up my hair of which he screamed that I am not allowed to scratch my hair as it could not be a bug since there was no light.
I kept quite and remained still. After being interrogated for about 30 minutes, we were then ordered to run to the ground directly opposite the officers’ mess. We were led down the road onto the steps to the ground up to a cement pitch which I presume is the cricket pitch. We were told to lie face down with our arms beside us and chin up.

One of the soldiers asked me whether I was pregnant of which I said I was not sure. A pair of boots immediately jumped onto my lower and middle back and bounced on it for a few seconds. The soldiers started calling us names and were swearing at us. One of them walked to our faces and told us to kiss his boots which we did. One of the soldiers started accusing me personally and mentioned [Navitalai] Naisoro (a friend and colleague during the SIDL election campaign), Chang (a friend and a business client of my PR company) and Weleilakeba (my ex‑husband and now a live‑in partner) and asked, “so how many other men have you f***.”

He accused me of stealing money from Chang and blamed me for corruption. I could feel boots running over my body followed by kicks on my sides and slaps on my face. Another soldier slammed my neck and then my face against the cement with his boots. I turned my head to the right in pain while he [trampled] my face on the ground causing my cheek to graze against the cement ground.

I felt a toad placed between my thighs and I heard a soldier say that a toad be given to Virisila to hold. She was lying face down next to me on my right and Imraz on my left. Imraz was then told to crawl a distance forward and back again while they kicked him.

I then heard Pita and Jackie marshalled in forcefully and told to lie on the cement and the same treatment was also given to them. The soldiers said that from the camp we should go straight to our democracy shrine in Lami and dismantle it and that they do not want to see any shrine when day light breaks because they did not want their soldiers to see any more of it.

The torture and verbal abuse went on for about 45 minutes until one of the soldiers ordered that we get up and run to the gate. We ran across the ground and jumped over a ditch. Virisila fell in the ditch since she couldn’t see too well after the soldiers smashed her glasses while we were lying at the cement pitch. She managed to scramble out quickly.

We stopped at the guardhouse by the gate to ask for our belongings but they told us to keep on running towards the main road which we did. Pita Waqavonovono began to fall behind as he was very tired and I slowed down to be close to him. Imraz, Jackie and Virisila were ahead of us as I was worried about Pita. After a while, I did not hear his footsteps behind me and when I turned back, I saw two soldiers pulling him back and beating him up so I decided to go back and help him but the soldiers angrily ordered me that I continue running forward or else I was going to get it too.

I caught up with the rest of the group at the main entrance to the camp at Mead Road and saw Ms Shameema Ali and other members of the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement and Mrs Gina Pickering of RRRT [Regional Rights Resources Team. They hugged Virisila and asked us what happened when the soldiers told us to keep on running along Mead Road. We continued running while the NGO car followed, together with two military vans packed with armed soldiers who were shouting out, “toso, toso” [move, move!].

We ran a while, walked and ran again when the soldiers shouted [at] us to run.

As we were nearing the turn off to Namadi Heights, the Namosi soldier appeared in his rental car and told us to walk as he could see that we were all very tired. We walked up the Mead Road hill and took the left turn off at Lovoni St, through Bureta St on to Princes Road. We were passing Howard Place along Princes Road when Virisila’s partner got off a car to join us. Further down at the Indian Ambassador’s residence, Angie Heffernan, a member of an NGO [executive director of the Pacific Centre for Public Integrity] got off a cab and ran towards us to find out what happened but we told her that we couldn’t talk much or stop as soldiers were behind us in their vans. As we turned off to Reservoir Road, I noticed Imraz’s twin cam parked opposite the Australian embassy together with the Namosi soldier’s rental car.

He stopped us and gave us our belongings and told us that we were free to go.

We bade farewell with merry Christmas hugs and kisses before Jackie, myself and Imraz left in Imraz’s car.
Virisila and her partner decided to find their own way home from there. We were driving to our Lami office and democracy shrine when we were stopped by soldiers at the Delainavesi checkpoint. We waited in the car for about 5 minutes before they gave us the OK to proceed.

When we reached the office, we noticed that the pro‑democracy banners were stripped off, the main door to my top floor office was broken together with the door to the middle floor office. Both offices were trashed with graffiti on the wall saying Merry Xmas Happy New Year Laisa Chang.

I picked up the spray cans strewn on the ground and sprayed over my name.

Jackie was picked up by her grandmother and aunt while Imraz dropped me home at around 3.30 am.

What an eventful and glorious X‑mas it was!

God Bless Fiji and its peoples and may democracy and law and order be restored soonest.
Laisa Digitaki

Frank was There BEATING us up at the Barrack:
"I looked up to see Frank Bainimarama kicking and verbally abusing me. He called soldiers to come and drag me to the cricket pitch. A soldier came to me and pulled me by the hair, and started cutting patches of my hair off. I was told that he would cut me up and throw me in the sea – that no one would care about me."

By Peter Waqavonovono

I want to share with you a short explanation of one of the reasons why I feel Frank Bainimarama cannot be allowed to run Fiji.

I have seen the true face of Bainimarama’s leadership. I know many people in Fiji share the same experience as I do.

Christmas Eve 2006, myself and other pro-democracy activists were taken from our homes late at night and brought to the QEB Military Camp under the guise of a meeting with the Military Council. What happened instead was an attack on all of us.

When I was brought into the camp, there are two things that directly stood out for me. One is that all the lights in the QEB Camp were turned off and secondly was the overbearing smell of Alcohol. I recall the events of that night clearly. It involved soldiers punching and kicking us, and threatening to murder us. At one point, I was certain that I would not leave that place alive.

Notable people at the QEB Military Camp that night were Frank Bainimarama, Roko Ului Mara and Pita Driti, all visible under the moonlight. Only a group of about 15 men were involved in the attack. While we were been attacked by a few soldiers in the army ground, I looked up to see Frank Bainimarama kicking and verbally abusing me. He called soldiers to come and drag me to the cricket pitch.

On the cricket pitch soldiers were ordered by someone to run over us and I recall been told at this point to keep my head down. A soldier came to me and pulled me by the hair, and started cutting patches of my hair off. I was told that he would cut me up and throw me in the sea – that no one would care about me.

During this assault, there were men singing Christmas Carols by the Ground and cheering on their peers. I also recall been ordered to run to Lami and take down banners at the Vugalei Democracy Shrine. While we ran, I was especially targeted by three soldiers who kept hitting and swearing at me. They later pinned me down, and proceeded to kick and punch me, they put me in a military truck and drove up towards Nadua Secondary School, where they literally threw me out of the moving Truck.

At this point, another truck with a different set of soldiers, took me back to the Military Camp. A soldier in this Truck gave me water and asked for Apologies. He told me that not all soldiers were doing this and they were following orders ‘from the top’. When I reached the camp, I was hurried into a cell; and joined by 3 soldier who told me that Bainimarama was very angry with my comments. They proceeded to further torture me, trying to get me to promise to never speak out against Bainimarama. This point of the ordeal was very traumatic.

Another soldier with the voice similar to Roko Ului intervened and told off the people in the cell, He ordered that the beatings stop, and after this they put me in a car and they drove me out towards Nabua Secondary School, where they asked me to get off. I recall been helped by two young boys from here, who took me to the Matua Taxi Base in Mead Road, where I got onto a Taxi and went straight home to a family that was clearly angered at what the Military had done.

All soldiers that participated in the attack smelled of Alcohol.

I was told that night, to leave Suva. I left on Boxing day for Levuka where I was informed by my Family that someone had sent soldiers to my house in Suva, to take me in for another meeting. I was later on informed via the media that I was put on a travel ban.

I recall thinking to myself, that if these men with Guns feared a young person’s mouth or opinions, then I was definitely in the right. That’s why they fear us, because we breathe and preach Freedom. We are willing to die to purchase a better Fiji. I have never gone silent and since then I have been arrested 3 times for just speaking out against the Bainimarama Government.

TO BE CONTINUED

"One of the soldiers asked me whether I was pregnant of which I said I was not sure. A pair of boots immediately jumped onto my lower and middle back and bounced on it for a few seconds. The soldiers started calling us names and were swearing at us. One of them walked to our faces and told us to kiss his boots which we did." Laisa Digitaki

HAVE YOU SIGNED THE PETITION?: Over 1,400 have put their signatures SIGN PETITION BELOW, led by the newly formed and United Kingdom based, The Coalition for Defence of Human Rights in Fiji. Let us unite and call for Qiliho's arrest in London, and for him to face trial under Section 134 of the United Kingdom's Criminal Justice Act. This Act allows the UK, under the principle of universal jurisdiction, to arrest and prosecute people accused of human rights abuses committed outside the UK.
https://www.change.org/p/fijians-all-over-the-world-keep-qiliho-out-of-uk

HIGH FIVE TO TORTURER: US Defense Attache Constantine Panayiotou to Qiliho: 'Safe travels, Bri Gen@SQiliho! Looking forward to meeting again on your return to Fiji'. In 2007, Torturer was on US travel BAN list

4/8/2020

HEAVY LOAD: CARTING OFF HIS Torture Baggage Victim Lists to Royal College of Defence Studies, London

HIGH FIVE: We, the US, with help of NZ have facilitated your flight to London

DINGER: Former US Ambassador to Fiji

SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER:
US Ambassador Larry Dinger to Washington, 29 March 2007:
"Military promotions. 6. (C) The RFMF announced on March 28 the promotion of four officers from major to lieutenant colonel: Jone Kalouniwai, Sitiveni Qilio (Qiliho), Inia Seruivatu, and Ifereimi Vasu. Land Forces Commander Col. Driti said all four had worked hard and had been majors for a long time. Kalouniwai and Qilio (Qiliho) are on the
U.S. visa-sanction list. Vasu reportedly just completed studies at Malaysia's Military Staff Academy.
Military departures 7. (C)
The RFMF has acknowledged that ten officers have left the service since the coup. Some reportedly are lawyers, including Major Amani Bale, Major Davina Chan-Ligaiula, and Major Ana Rokomokoti, all of whom are on the U.S. visa-sanction list. Other departures include Navy Commander Bradley Bower, Lt. John Fong, Captain Joeli Pickering, Captain Solomone Raravula, and Captain Bernie Ramafono. We know Bower resigned in protest of the coup, though at the time the RFMF spokesman claimed there was no connection. Presumably some or all of the others were similarly motivated. DINGER "

EXPOSING TORTURE AT THE BARRACKS: The former Deputy Chief of Mission Richard Pruett in Fiji to his Masters in Washington
"Embassy Suva submits the following credible evidence of gross human rights violations by members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the Fiji Police...They were beaten, punched, kicked, and made to crawl on all fours in the rain. One woman was allegedly asked whether she was pregnant and after she replied in the affirmative, a soldier stood on her stomach...While much of the alleged abuse was perpetrated by lower ranking and unknown RFMF soldiers, those detained reported that the following high ranking RFMF personnel were present, orchestrated and in some cases perpetrated the abuse: (3) Sitiveni Qiliho Tukaituraga, Colonel, DOB: 30 December, 1969."

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Richard Pruett. Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d) 1. (C)

Summary: Embassy Suva submits the following credible evidence of gross human rights violations by members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the Fiji Police. We have listed the individuals by name and then included a summary of the human rights abuses for which there is credible evidence of involvement. All are Fiji nationals. However, in most cases we lack other identifying information such as dates of birth.

Christmas Eve 2006 Detention, Assaults and Abuse

2. (C) At midnight on Christmas Eve 2006, six pro-democracy activists were forcibly removed from their homes and taken to the RFMF headquarters at Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Suva. According to independent statements by several of the individuals, during the course of the night, RFMF personnel subjected them to humiliating and degrading treatment, including physical assault and verbal abuse.

They were beaten, punched, kicked, and made to crawl on all fours in the rain. One woman was allegedly asked whether she was pregnant and after she replied in the affirmative, a soldier stood on her stomach.

One man was allegedly asked who was Fiji's president, and upon answering (then-deposed) &Ratu Iloilo, 8 was repeatedly kicked by the soldiers.

Another woman said that RFMF soldiers blindfolded her, put an unloaded gun to her temple and fired repeatedly. The group was then forced to run in the rain from the military camp to a location several miles away, where they were compelled to remove anti-coup slogans from the walls of a house.

Before release, RFMF soldiers allegedly warned them that if they spoke out again they would be taken back up to the military camp and suffer worse treatment, as would their families.

3. (C) While much of the alleged abuse was perpetrated by lower ranking and unknown RFMF soldiers, those detained reported that the following high ranking RFMF personnel were present, orchestrated and in some cases perpetrated the abuse:

(1) Tevita Ului Mara, Colonel, Chief of Staff, Land Force, and Commanding Officer of the RFMF Third Infantry Regiment, DOB: 25 May 1965

(2) Pita Driti, Colonel, Land Forces Commander, DOB: 29 October 1960

(3) Sitiveni Qiliho Tukaituraga, Colonel, DOB: 30 December, 1969

Gathering perspectives on human rights.
5 (C) In the other meetings, DAS Davies received a variety of views of the coup and subsequent events. Former Qarase-government officials and civil-society representatives were very appreciative of the strong stance the U.S. has taken with Fiji.
They encouraged us to keep the pressure on the military and the interim government, including with visa sanctions which, they said, clearly are having a salutary effect. Three human-rights activists noted firm evidence that senior RFMF officers have led the intimidation of human-rights leaders and the media.
Virisila Buadromo of the Fiji Women's Rights Movement identified Land Forces Commander Col. Pita Driti as leading the group that abused her early Christmas morning. The activists named 3FIR Commander LtCol. Ratu Tevita Mara and Major (now LtCol.) Qiliho as others who clearly have led such abuses. (All are on the U.S. visa ban list.)
The activists said abuses continue, though military intimidation has reduced media attention.
Activists were very skeptical of the "Public Charter" concept, predicting that it will be an orchestrated attempt to give the interim regime unwarranted legitimacy. DINGER

(Note: The USG revoked [Aiyaz] Sayed-Khaiyum's 10-year visa in early 2007, notifying him by phone and letter. Interestingly, on the transit-visa application, Sayed-Khaiyum checked the box indicating he had never had a U.S. visa revoked.) Larry Dinger, then US ambassador to Fiji, in Wikileaks cable to Washington, May 11, 2008

Interim AG goes public with UN visa-denial complaint
--------------------------------------------- --------
1. (U) Fiji's interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum phoned Suva media from Vienna on Friday, May 9, to make public his unhappiness at Embassy Suva having denied him a visa to transit Los Angeles to and from a U.N conference in Vienna. He also complained that the U.S. denial came at "the eleventh hour." Sayed-Khaiyum said the interim government (IG) is filing a complaint with the UN in New York. We provide background.

The actual story
----------------

2. (SBU) Embassy Suva received a dipnote from Fiji MFA on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 30, seeking transit visas of LA for May 6 and 9/10 to facilitate Sayed-Khaiyum's attendance at a meeting in Vienna of the Expanded Pilot Review Group on the implementation of the UN Convention Against Corruption. The same afternoon, we informed EAP/ANP of the request and sought Washington's response, given that Sayed-Khaiyum is on the Fiji post-coup visa-sanction list.

(Note: The USG revoked Sayed-Khaiyum's 10-year visa in early 2007, notifying him by phone and letter. Interestingly, on the transit-visa application, Sayed-Khaiyum checked the box indicating he had never had a U.S. visa revoked.)

On the morning of Friday, May 2, EAP/ANP provided Washington's response to deny the visa. We immediately phoned MFA and followed up with a dipnote, delivered the same day. On Monday, May 5, Sayed-Khaiyum phoned the Embassy and had a polite conversation with DCM Mann, who confirmed the USG denial of the transit-visa request.

U.S. policy re UN-related visa requests
---------------------------------------

3. (SBU) To the best of our knowledge, USG policy on UN-related visas for those on the Fiji visa-sanction list is to allow an exception in those cases where travel is to New York or elsewhere in the U.S. for UN business, acknowledging a U.S. obligation under the UN headquarters agreement. Similarly, the USG has permitted travel to Washington for World Bank/IMF meetings. In Sayed-Khaiyum's case, the meeting was not in the U.S. but in Vienna; and, as he has demonstrated, he had an alternative route to get there: via Seoul.

Media coverage and reactions
----------------------------

4. (SBU) Fiji media have given Sayed-Khaiyum's public complaint reasonable coverage. Over the weekend, Embassy Suva responded to media requests for comment by noting that USG visa sanctions on interim government ministers remain in place.

We have not yet commented on the UN angle, though we did so in the past in relation to interim PM Bainimarama's attendance at the UNGA last September.

From what we hear, Sayed-Khaiyum's revelation that the USG denied the visa has given heart to a number of opponents of the IG, who rightly perceive Sayed-Khaiyum to be one of the IG's most outspoken defenders of restraints on human-rights.

Such restraints have included deportation of media publishers and, for some Fiji citizens, restraints on travel abroad. One blog noted over the weekend that last year the IG (Sayed-Khaiyum) refused to permit travel by a Fiji-citizen employee of the UN's Suva office to a UN conference in Tonga. [Larry] DINGER (Wikileaks)

Making misrepresentations on an application for immigration benefits is a ground of inadmissibility under U.S. Immigration Law. The former ambassador Larry Dinger's cable (Wikileaks) clearly state Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum LIED on his Visa Application in 2008

STEPPING INTO QILIHO'S 'BIG SHOES': Really! The acting Police Chief Tudravu DESERVED the 'BIG POLICE SHOES' in 2016 and not the Master Torturer Qiliho. Oh, Bainimarama stepped into President's Shoes in 2006

3/8/2020

"The military has taken over the government, has executive authority and the running of this country. I have stepped into the President's SHOES.'

Fiji Military Dictator Frank Bainimarama's
takeover speech, 5 December 2006

"The government they want to set up will be totally illegal. What the military has done is RAPED our Constitution."
The Deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, 5 December 2006

Fijileaks: The Tailevu lad Rusiate Tudravu has spent 38 years in the Fiji Police Force and surely, like every other Police Officer, his penultimate dream must have been to lead his men. But no, in 2016, after getting rid of the South African Police Commissioner, Bainimarama forced Qiliho upon Fiji Police, to ensure his grip on the levers of power

A former Fiji military commander, Sitiveni Qiliho, has been confirmed as the country's new police commissioner.

The announcement was made this evening by the Constitutional Offices Commission, led by the prime minister Frank Bainimarama, which also confirmed Viliame Naupoto as the new military commander.

Mr Bainimarama's brother-in-law, Francis Kean, a former Navy commander who in 2006 was convicted of manslaughter, has also been appointed as prisons commissioner.

Mr Qiliho was appointed as acting police commissioner after the sudden resignation of Ben Groeneweld last year.

Mr Groenweld swiftly left the country and returned to South Africa, and cited constant military interference in the work of the police.

Mr Qiliho is the third senior military officer to run the police force since the 2006 coup.

The Constitutional Offices Commission had declined to say how many people have applied for any of the positions.

PM BAINIMARAMA RECEIVES ACTING COMMISSIONER OF POLICE Suva- The Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama this morning received a courtesy call from the acting Commissioner of Police Mr Rusiate Tudravu. Whilst receiving Mr Tudravu in his office, the Prime Minister said Mr Tudravu is “filling the big shoes” of Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho who left for the United Kingdom for an extensive study placement at the Royal College of Defence Studies. Mr Tudravu is no stranger to the people of Fiji, having spent about 38 years in the Fiji Police Force with experiences which spans across the work of ensuring law and order in the country. He graduated from the University of the South Pacific with a Certificate in Management Studies, he also undertook a Management Development Program from the Queensland Police Academy; attained a Certificate in Applied Management at the Australian Institute of Police Management and he also undertook an Advanced Security Course at Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii. In addition Mr Tudravu attained an Executive Masters in Business Administration from the Fiji National University. Mr. Tudravu also served with the Commonwealth Multinational Police Monitoring Group to the Solomon Islands - Crisis. He is from Nasautoka Village in Wainibuka, Tailevu and is the current Chairman of the Tailevu Provincial Council. The Prime Minister warmly congratulated Mr. Tudravu on his new appointment.

“Ah! Speak of the Devil, and you find Him [Qiliho] in your Hat.” It seems both Melaine Hopkins, former British High Commissioner to Fiji, and Paul Welsh, the newly arrived Deputy High Commissioner in Suva, made no effort to check on Qiliho's violent past before endorsing him for London

24 June 2020: The outgoing British High Commissioner Melanie Hopkins (left photo) was accorded a quarter guard ceremony as she paid her last courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police Sitiveni Qiliho at the Fiji Police Headquarters in Nasinu. Paul Welsh (right photo) proudly showing off the HAT he bought last week while touring Savusavu. Qiliho giving Hopkins the send-off to England. Last week, a month later, he arrived in London. She is yet to reply to Fijileaks on what role, if any, she played in his selection to the Royal College of Defence Studies in London
A ROYAL FAREWELL FROM SITIVENI QILIHO TO MELAINE HOPKINS

As the British High Commission in Fiji refuses to give us any comments, and plans are afoot now to get Qiliho arrested in the United Kingdom, the former Opposition Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa's comments in 2016 remain relevant today as it was then when it was announced that Qiliho was going to Malaysian War College for a year:
Why is the Police Commissioner to study at a war college [in Malaysia] for a year? How will that improve his policing skills? Are the public to assume that his career as Police Commissioner has been cut short? His term in office is for five years, but he’s only been in the job for eight months. This entire episode, highlights yet again, Government’s unscrupulous attitude to transparency and accountability and proper procedures.

“The way the public of Fiji has been informed of this important career move for a constitutionally appointed officer of state, illustrates the dysfunctional nature of the Bainimarama Government. It is not for Brigadier-General Qiliho to reveal the details and to bypass the legal procedures and processes governing his post as Commissioner. The announcement should have come through the Constitutional Offices Commission chaired by the Prime Minister. But the Commission has not functioned properly for a long time. In fact my nominee Mr Richard Naidu resigned because of his serious concerns about the way the Commission was operating. I share those concerns.This new developments about the Police Commissioner is a perfect example of Government ineptitude. As a member of the Commission, I have not received any notification of Brigadier-General Qiliho’s career move. No meeting has been called to deal with this issue and to appoint an acting commissioner. Other major questions arise. Why is the Police Commissioner to study at a war college for a year? How will that improve his policing skills? Are the public to assume that his career as Police Commissioner has been cut short? His term in office is for five years, but he’s only been in the job for eight months. This entire episode, highlights yet again, Government’s unscrupulous attitude to transparency and accountability and proper procedures.
Ro Teimumu Kepa, November 2016

HAVE YOU SIGNED THE PETITION?: Over 1,335 have put their signatures SIGN PETITION BELOW, led by the newly formed and United Kingdom based, The Coalition for Defence of Human Rights in Fiji. Let us unite and call for Qiliho's arrest in London, and for him to face trial under Section 134 of the United Kingdom's Criminal Justice Act. This Act allows the UK, under the principle of universal jurisdiction, to arrest and prosecute people accused of human rights abuses committed outside the UK.
https://www.change.org/p/fijians-all-over-the-world-keep-qiliho-out-of-uk

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A PEEK INTO THE TWISTED WORLD OF KHAIYUM BROTHERS: Graham Davis lifts the veil on Riyaz and Aiyaz Khaiyum and their feral hold on Fiji

GRAHAM DAVIS TO RESUME HIS GRUBSHEET: Fijileaks sources say the calling for removal of Aiyaz Khaiyum and reform of Government up front!

HISTORY MEN PASS AWAY: One stood his ground upholding RULE of LAW and other VIOLENTLY overthrew the Bavadra government in 1987, fire-bombing, beating, and chasing Indo-Fijians out of Fiji under Rabuka

SUN, SAND, SEA + SNUB: BIG 'MADUA' for 'KADER KHAN KHAIYUM' if New Zealand excludes FIJI and invites COOK ISLANDS into its Bubble

New Zealand has taken another BABY step towards re-opening to the world, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announcing quarantine-free travel to the COOK ISLANDS "this year", Putting NZ FIRST

GANESHGATE at the Solomon Islands National University. As SINU Vice-Chancellor Dr Ganesh Chand says he has not received any allegations made against him, we publish the raft of allegations levelled against him

"Advertisement of SINU vacancies in Fiji Times. Why use Fiji Times and none in the local newspapers. Use the University website for such advertisement. VC has personal interest in these procurements."

The Fiji Times, 5 July 2020:

IS THIS CHARACTER REFERENCE A FORGERY? Allegation: 'The VC [Ganesh Chand] was also a referee to Maikali's application and failed to consider the reference checked by HR."

SKATING ON THIN ICE: Nature, Geography, and Smallness has spared Fiji from the ravages of Coronavirus and NOT Aiyaz Khaiyum's handling of the virus, so PLEASE stop taking CREDIT and playing ball with LIVES

CARELESS: In a dictatorship, citizens are naturally wary of CareFiji App

'It was Qiliho who was enjoying with Frank on the ground that night'. One of the RFMF commanders present during the beatings of pro-democracy activists on Christmas Eve. Virisila Buadromo recounts her 2006 beating

*"I felt a t**oad placed between my thighs and I heard a soldier say that a toad be given to Virisila to hold.* Laisa Digitaki

Have you signed the petition?
https://www.change.org/p/fijians-all-over-the-world-keep-qiliho-out-of-uk

TORTURE FOOTPRINT: QILIHO'S Big Boot Marks on SIX Pro-Democracy activists on Christmas Eve 2006. Their statements expose ARMY "terror intimidation tactics", similar to Nazi Gestapo and Idi Amin on civilians

"I felt a toad placed between my thighs and I heard a soldier say that a toad be given to Virisila to hold. She was lying face down next to me on my right and Imraz on my left. Imraz was then told to crawl a distance forward and back again while they kicked him."
Laisa Digitaki

The six were identified as Fiji Women's Rights Movement executive director Virisila Buadromo and her partner Arshad Daud, businesswoman Laisa Digitaki, businessman Imraz Iqbal, youth activists, Jackie Koroi and Pita Waqavonovono

HIGH FIVE TO TORTURER: US Defense Attache Constantine Panayiotou to Qiliho: 'Safe travels, Bri Gen@SQiliho! Looking forward to meeting again on your return to Fiji'. In 2007, Torturer was on US travel BAN list

HEAVY LOAD: CARTING OFF HIS Torture Baggage Victim Lists to Royal College of Defence Studies, London

STEPPING INTO QILIHO'S 'BIG SHOES': Really! The acting Police Chief Tudravu DESERVED the 'BIG POLICE SHOES' in 2016 and not the Master Torturer Qiliho. Oh, Bainimarama stepped into President's Shoes in 2006

"The military has taken over the government, has executive authority and the running of this country. I have stepped into the President's SHOES.'

Fiji Military Dictator Frank Bainimarama's
takeover speech, 5 December 2006

"The government they want to set up will be totally illegal. What the military has done is RAPED our Constitution."
The Deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, 5 December 2006

“Ah! Speak of the Devil, and you find Him [Qiliho] in your Hat.” It seems both Melaine Hopkins, former British High Commissioner to Fiji, and Paul Welsh, the newly arrived Deputy High Commissioner in Suva, made no effort to check on Qiliho's violent past before endorsing him for London

editor@fijileaks.com

Archives

New Zealand has taken another BABY step towards re-opening to the world, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announcing quarantine-free travel to the COOK ISLANDS "this year", Putting NZ FIRST

"Advertisement of SINU vacancies in Fiji Times. Why use Fiji Times and none in the local newspapers. Use the University website for such advertisement. VC has personal interest in these procurements."

The Fiji Times, 5 July 2020:

IS THIS CHARACTER REFERENCE A FORGERY? Allegation: 'The VC [Ganesh Chand] was also a referee to Maikali's application and failed to consider the reference checked by HR."

CARELESS: In a dictatorship, citizens are naturally wary of CareFiji App

"I felt a toad placed between my thighs and I heard a soldier say that a toad be given to Virisila to hold. Laisa Digitaki

Have you signed the petition?https://www.change.org/p/fijians-all-over-the-world-keep-qiliho-out-of-uk

"I felt a toad placed between my thighs and I heard a soldier say that a toad be given to Virisila to hold. She was lying face down next to me on my right and Imraz on my left. Imraz was then told to crawl a distance forward and back again while they kicked him." Laisa Digitaki

The six were identified as Fiji Women's Rights Movement executive director Virisila Buadromo and her partner Arshad Daud, businesswoman Laisa Digitaki, businessman Imraz Iqbal, youth activists, Jackie Koroi and Pita Waqavonovono

HEAVY LOAD: CARTING OFF HIS Torture Baggage Victim Lists to Royal College of Defence Studies, London

"The military has taken over the government, has executive authority and the running of this country. I have stepped into the President's SHOES.'Fiji Military Dictator Frank Bainimarama'stakeover speech, 5 December 2006

"The government they want to set up will be totally illegal. What the military has done is RAPED our Constitution."The Deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, 5 December 2006

“Ah! Speak of the Devil, and you find Him [Qiliho] in your Hat.” It seems both Melaine Hopkins, former British High Commissioner to Fiji, and Paul Welsh, the newly arrived Deputy High Commissioner in Suva, made no effort to check on Qiliho's violent past before endorsing him for London

editor@fijileaks.com

Archives

*"I felt a t**oad placed between my thighs and I heard a soldier say that a toad be given to Virisila to hold.* Laisa Digitaki

Have you signed the petition?
https://www.change.org/p/fijians-all-over-the-world-keep-qiliho-out-of-uk

"I felt a toad placed between my thighs and I heard a soldier say that a toad be given to Virisila to hold. She was lying face down next to me on my right and Imraz on my left. Imraz was then told to crawl a distance forward and back again while they kicked him."
Laisa Digitaki

"The military has taken over the government, has executive authority and the running of this country. I have stepped into the President's SHOES.'

Fiji Military Dictator Frank Bainimarama's
takeover speech, 5 December 2006

"The government they want to set up will be totally illegal. What the military has done is RAPED our Constitution."
The Deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, 5 December 2006