Fijileaks
  • Home
  • Archive Home
  • In-depth Analysis
    • BOI Report into George Speight and others beatings
  • Documents
  • Opinion
  • CRC Submissions
  • Features
  • Archive

Fijileaks to Sitiveni Rabuka: Ashwin Raj is a recycled clone of yours; you stifled the Fiji media, locked up journalists, banned free speech, beat up academics for criticizing your book - and there was no SOCIAL MEDIA

6/4/2017

9 Comments

 

We challenge you to strip your IMMUNITY before lecturing on free speech
and social media. There is a difference between free speech and vile abuse - your SODELPA supporters abroad calling Fijileaks founding editor-in-chief "A Knob"; former High Court judge Nazhat Shameem "A Regime Whore" and former NFP president Tupou Draunidalo "A SLUT" and Indo-Fijian Muslims "PIGS" and you calling it "Free Speech", and not to forget FFP supporters who have (and are using) Facebook to call for the murder of Fijileaks founding editor-in-chief and have been posting other vile comments against their perceived opponents, and this
Raj had been silent like a church mouse. God help Fiji!

Mr Rabuka defends Facebook Freedom

RABUKA SAYS ASHWIN RAJ SHOULD STAND UP FOR THE PEOPLE OF FIJI AND NOT ACT AS A CO-OPPRESSOR WITH THE GOVERNMENT THAT APPOINTED HIM.

6 April 2017

Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) Leader, Major General (Retired) Sitiveni L Rabuka today stated that “To truly serve the people of Fiji, and not just serve the FijiFirst government that appointed him, Ashwin Raj should stand up for the people of Fiji and not act as a co-oppressor with the government that appointed him.”

Mr. Rabuka further said that “Ashwin Raj should be concerned with the FHRADC’s non-compliance with the UN’s Paris Principles on the independence of national human rights institutions. This non-recognition by the UN perhaps explains why he becomes part of the official government delegation to the UN Human Rights meetings, when other accredited national human rights institutions attend as independent commissions.

Major General Rabuka further said that, “His continued parroting of the government line is in breach of the Paris Principles and underscores why the FHRADC will struggle to gain UN recognition.”

Rabuka said that SODELPA has called for the repeal of the Media Decree since it was imposed on Fiji in 2010. He said SODELPA maintained that the Media Decree and other oppressive Decrees like the Public Order Decree 2012 should all be repealed in order to promote democratic discourse and good governance in Fiji.

“Ashwin Raj ought to be concerned about these repressive decrees and their effect on chilling free speech, press freedom and human rights in Fiji, rather than seeking to extend government control over our freedom of expression, opinion and belief, including political belief. Raj’s call for the policing of facebook and social media platforms in Fiji, is aimed at protecting the FijiFirst Government which appointed him to his lucrative dual positions as Director of FHRADC and Chairman of MIDA.”

“The censorship and curtailment of personal and political freedoms since the 2006 coup d’etat has narrowed civic dialogue and civic engagement in Fiji. This directly resulted in the flourishing of blogs, alternative and social media, as the last frontier for free speech, thought, expression and opinion over the last eleven years since the 2006 coup.”

“Government has not shied away from prosecuting citizens under the Public Emergency Regulations and Public Order Amendment Decrees for speech it considers dangerous. Authorities have also liberally charged individuals with sedition and inciting antagonism under the Crimes Decree, even if later charges are withdrawn, strict bail conditions have curtailed travel and speech for these individuals while charges were live.”

“These crimes, which had the effect of curtailing free speech, are still on the law books and nothing is stopping the government from charging individuals for what they say on social media. I note the Crimes Decree can be used even where the speech is made in overseas countries given it has extra-territorial jurisdiction.”

“So this begs the question, what is the point of the Human Rights Commission Director basically threatening citizens, when these Decrees are still in place and government has the prerogative who to investigate and charge?”

“I am curious as well whether Raj is speaking on the basis of complaints made to police or to the FHRADC or to MIDA, or is he simply protecting his political masters. If there are complaints made, then these should follow their correct complaints procedure and not become political fodder for Raj to intimidate the people of Fiji.”

“Ashwin Raj should be ashamed of himself for taking part in this intimidation of our people and he should resign forthwith. I urge the Commissioners of the FHRADC to revise his contract, given he was appointed before they were appointed.”

“To truly serve the people of Fiji, and not just serve the FijiFirst government that appointed him, Ashwin Raj must be removed as Director of FHRADC and Chairman of MIDA. The people holding these positions should stand up for the people of Fiji and not act as a co-oppressor with the government that appointed them.”

Authorised by:
Major General (Retired) Sitiveni L Rabuka
Party Leader
Social Democratic Liberal Party of Fiji
Tel: 3301544
Email: fijisodelpa@gmail.com


"Life is lived on rumours now. A lot of people are scared even to talk about this [1987] coup, because there are a lot of informers around. He [Rabuka] seems personable, gentle and reasonable to meet. But he changes his mind according to who he talks to. That is why we have had all these inconsistencies in his stand. He's unable to make up his own mind" - The then Fiji Times editor Vijendra Kumar, 10 October 1987

"The [Rabuka] soldiers are here", screamed a Fiji Times reporter. "They were hyped up with guns drawn, they grabbed reporters, smashed telephones on the floor and ordered everyone out of office," the former Fiji Times editor Vijendra Kumar; like the Khaiyums, Rabuka had turned Radio Fiji into a propaganda machine - to sing to his "glorious coups"

Picture

STRIDING WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY: Power flowed from the barrel of the gun: free speech, right to assembly, free media, was all shut down, and Indo-Fijians were relegated as second class citizens, and branded as the "Brown Jews of the South Pacific" - to be converted to Christianity. We have no doubt that if social media was around in 1987, the Indo-Fijians would have been slaughtered in their thousands following Rabuka's racially motivated coups

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
9 Comments
splashViti
6/4/2017 10:13:26 am

Hear! Hear! @ Fiji Leaks' 1st sentence. Rabuka needs to urgently address 'the elephant in the room' if he wants "credibility" - that's what this boils down to.

Reply
splashViti
6/4/2017 10:27:16 am

Btw, I had to google that brit slang "knob" since it didn't register on my free e-dictionary. Just goes to show that we live in a male world where only swear words for females are registered in the dictionary! Isn't it any wonder that the world is so f~*~ed!

Reply
Welcome Home
6/4/2017 04:57:32 pm

The world is indeed f~$~d! But occasionally a glimpse of sunlight sneaks through the gloom. April 21 sees a former Director CID appear to make a plea on serious corruption charges. Does this person merit bail? The patron saint of Police Forces worldwide is St Michael the Archangel. A special prayerful plea will be made that day for the ends of Justice to be served. Due Process is at long last to be enjoined. This date and all subsequent dates for mention will be scrupulously noted.

Reply
splashViti
8/4/2017 11:09:52 am

Speaking of dear St Michael, I recently watched on big screen the exquisite and wonderful "Beauty and the Beast"- 'a tale as old as time and true as it can be' and was delighted to see the stone sculpture of St. Michael the Archangel perched atop the steepest point of the castle (in the opening part of the Disney movie and again towards the very end as the cameras do an aerial roll round the rooftops of the medieval gothic-like castle, as it was being lit up by the sun after being in the gloomy, dark winter for so long. St. Michael the Archangel, is of course depicted in his famous pose: standing with one hand raised holding his lance pointed down, atop the defeated Evil One who's lying faced down. I thought this was so apt in light of the movie theme: our humanity unwrapped in all its simplicity.

*spoiler alert* So as the tale goes... the extremely spoilt prince (who arguably did not know better since he was constantly indulged by those around him who ought to have known better), was judged on "love". And was found wanting. So much so that the furious enchantress he had insulted, cast a spell on the entire castle and its inhabitants by turning the prince into a furry beast, his courtiers into talking ornaments and the rest in the kingdom banished to a village nearby with their memories erased of their earlier existence. Naturally and as expected, the miserable and hopeless prince could only redeem himself through "love" (which had to be genuine and an exercise of his "free will") - a trait which was almost alien to him since he lived a very superficial life. And thereupon, finally break the spell cast upon him by the wise enchantress.

Beauty and the Beast is a truly beautiful, timeless classic portraying our fallen human nature and the source of our redemption as we ALL understand it. Sigh. In essence, the inherent and existential tension between our light (good and beautiful) and dark (mean and beastly) nature. And so as believers, we ought to invoke St. Michael the Archangel daily to aid us along in this age old weary battle. The lyrics of the theme song sung by duet Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson is illuminating...

'Tale as old as time
Tune as old as song
Bittersweet and strange
Finding you can change
Learning you were wrong

Certain as the sun
Certain as the sun
Rising in the east
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the beast.'

Reply
Welcome Home
6/4/2017 05:13:52 pm

Why is there a variance of reported dates for Court Appearance of former Director CID Luke Rawalai between Fiji Times and FBC? Does this confusion lead us to believe that little or low importance is applied to this case? Is the plea to be made on 21 or 22 April 2017? The charges are serious and interest is high for reasons which are more than apparent.

Reply
Rajend Naidu
6/4/2017 10:25:07 pm

Editor,
On Tolerating Affront To Humanity
US President Donald Trump called the chemical attack and massacre of women and children in Syria by the Assad regime an " affront to humanity " which " cannot be tolerated ".
But that's something humanity has done throughout history - tolerate an affront to humanity.
Trump is currently meeting with the Chinese premier to mostly talk trade. China has a notorious record of arbitrary detention in secret locations and torture of critics. See the latest in ' Canada, 10 other countries call out China for torturing human rights lawyers' (the globe and mail March 20/2017 ). Isn't that an affront to humanity, to human decency ?
The abduction and horrendous torture of Dr Anirudh Singh following the racist Rabuka military coup of 1987 ( to cite but one of the many at the time ) wasn't that an affront to humanity, to human decency?
The torture and summary execution of renegade soldiers after the military mutiny against Bainimarama wasn't that an affront to humanity?
The U.K, the US and Germany have called the Syrian chemical attack an act of " barbarism ". German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called the failure of the UN Security Council to come to a common resolution on the chemical attack " scandalous " - an affront against common decency.
But given the way the UNSC is structured with its veto powers it's not surprising that the diplomatic options have failed to bring about any resolution to the Syrian conflict. It has in fact embolden the Assad regime to continue and extend its " brutal, heinous act on its own people with impunity " ( Syria expert Simon Mabob, Lancaster University , DW News 7/4 ).
I am not convinced that we are at a point in the evolution of our species where an affront to humanity is universally not tolerated.
At best we pick and chose what we want to be indignant about. At worse, we ignore any affront to humanity when it's politically expedient to do so.
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu

Reply
Gulong
9/4/2017 01:40:24 pm

What evidence is there Rajendra Naidu that the Syrian Govt carried out the chemical attacks? This is nothing but a false flag operation by US and U.K. Proxies in Syria like Al Nusra, Al Qaida, White Helmets etc. To topple Assad has been a long standing goal of the US and its allies do that they can run a gas pipeline through Eastern Syria and Turjey into Europe thereby undercutting Russian supply to Europe. No country has the right to launch missiles into another. It is a breach of international law and the UN Charter. Syria and Russia have already won the war in Syria. It would be senseless for Syria to attract world animosity if it were to launch a chemical attack against its own citizens. The reports attributing blame to Syria are typically False News that the western media has become to be known for.

Reply
Chiku
9/4/2017 09:50:14 pm

What evidence is there that the Syrian dictatorship of Basher al Assad did not carry out the latest chemical attack? The rogue ruler carried one out in 2013 didn't he? That's why the UN had to go in to take out the chemical weapons stockpile. But the rogue ruler did not reveal the full stock of his chemical pile. The evidence is there that this dictator is prepared to do anything to hang onto power - including the whole scale slaughter of his own people, innocent men, women and children.
Do you need evidence of that?

Reply
Rajend Naidu
11/4/2017 02:32:56 am

Editor,
Freedom to Speak Your Mind.
Tim Anderson, senior politics lecturer on $130,000 salary at Sydney University, believes Donald Trump is the " mastermind of terrorism in the Middle East " and Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad has been falsely accused of horrific war crimes (' Academic atrocity denier : Sydney Unversity POLITICS lecturer convicted and fully acquitted of Hilton bombing bizarrely claims Trump is the " mastermind " of terrorism in Syria - and claims Assad didn't kill 87 in gas attack ', Daily Mail Australia 11/4/17 ).
Anderson has published a book titled ' The Dirty War on Syria ' which expands further on theories surrounding the six year civil conflict.
A spokeswoman for Sydney University told the Daily Telegraph the university was " committed to the expression and protection of free speech, The university does not endorse the statements expressed by Dr Anderson ...[ However ] academic staff are free to contribute to public comment in their area of expertise under terms outlined in the university's public comment policies ".
Many people who have commented on Dr Anderson's statement have been scathing in their attacks on him. One said " You can't fix stupidity".
The good thing is that the university acknowledges and protects academic freedom and the right of academic staff to engage in public comment.
It's probably a good thing Dr Anderson is not an academic staff at USP!
Sincerely
Rajend Naidu.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    editor@fijileaks.com

    ARCHIVES

    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    Picture
    Picture