INCITING COMMUNAL DISCORD: Shamima Ali should also condemn the NFP HINDU leader, Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister BIMAN PRASAD for becoming the first foreign leader to visit the disputed Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, with all expenses paid by the Government of India.
*It is becoming obvious that the Indian High Commissioner in Fiji had conspired with Prasad for him to visit Ayodhya, camouflaged as a working visit to other parts of India. The highly provocative visit was giving 'two-fingers up' to Indo-Fijian Christians and Muslims in Fiji.
*We will be writing why Prasad might have compromised Fiji's national security by accepting India's all expenses paid trip to his Motherland.
*The Indian High Commission in Fiji must be put on surveillance. In 1982, Ratu Mara had booted Indian High Commissioner Mrs Soonu Maneck Kochar out of Fiji for allegedly recruiting NFP parliamentarians to further the Indo-Soviet influence in Fiji and the South Pacific.
*Coupist Sitiveni Rabuka once remarked to our Founding Editor-in-Chief that given that he had studied at the Madras defense academy in India, Mrs Kochar had wanted him to become RFMF commander and not Ratu Epeli Nailatikau. She thought Rabuka would be more accommodating to India's military, cultural and political designs in Fiji. Instead, he went on to execute two racially motivated coups, proclaiming 'Indians will never rule Fiji'.
**Shortly before Rabuka executed the coup against the Dr Timoci Bavadra government, he (Rabuka) joined hands with a bunch of so-called nationalists at his cousin, the Reverend Raikivi's house:
'Save us, and save our land. You saved the Israelites when their land was taken from them by foreigners. Dear God, please answer our prayer and do the same for us.'
*It is very clear, and it should be to Shamima Ali, that Fiji's support for Israel at the ICJ, is 1987 all over again. Wake UP, Fiji.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki is seated during the hearings on the advisory proceedings of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legal consequences of Israel's practices in the Palestinian territories in The Hague, Netherlands, on February 19, 2024.
SHAMIMA ALI: Who drafted the submissions on behalf of Fiji and why such position was taken?
*We know that Justice Isikeli Mataitoga and Fine Ditoka are closely linked to the International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem (ICEJ, Fiji) branch (Fly Now, Pay Later Fiji Airways scandal). Mataitoga was once in charge of the Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ms Ditoka worked for him.
  The Fiji NGO Coalition on Human Rights has condemned the Fijian Government's decision to submit a written statement in support of the Israeli occupation of Palestine, including East Jerusalem and is calling on the government to reconsider its position and for the Prime Minister to declare to the Fijian public as to who drafted the submissions on behalf of Fiji and why such position was taken. The International Court of Justice will begin hearings on Monday in a case against Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories where Fiji and the United States are the only two countries endorsing such a stance. |   |
In his opening remarks, Palestinian counsel, Paul Reichler says of all the States that submitted the written statement to the court, only Fiji attempted to defend the occupation as lawful.
NGO Coalition Chair, Shamima Ali says this position is profoundly troubling and starkly contrasts the values of justice, freedom, and international law that the Fijian people hold dear.
She says it is imperative that the Fijian Government demonstrates accountability and transparency in its decision-making.
Ali says the public has a right to understand how such positions, which significantly impact Fiji's standing on the global stage and its moral compass, are determined.
She says they are calling upon the government to disclose the rationale and any consultations or analyses that led to this stance. Ali says this call for clarity is not just about ensuring governmental transparency; it's about reaffirming Fiji's dedication to principles that respect human dignity and international law.
She says without this openness, the trust between the Fijian people and their government risks being eroded, especially on matters of international significance that reflect on the entire nation.
The Chair says the NGO Coalition is also urging the Fijian Government to demonstrate its commitment to human rights and justice by advocating for the rights of all people, including the Palestinian people, to live in peace, security, and dignity.
She says Fiji is due to make its oral statement at the International Court of Justice hearing on Monday at the Hague.
Ali is also calling on the Fijian public, regional partners, and the international community to join them in urging the Fijian Government to withdraw its support for the occupation and to work towards a just and lasting peace in Palestine.
Questions have been sent to the Office of the Prime Minister and the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs. They are yet to respond. Source: Fijivillage News, 20 February 2024.
NGO Coalition Chair, Shamima Ali says this position is profoundly troubling and starkly contrasts the values of justice, freedom, and international law that the Fijian people hold dear.
She says it is imperative that the Fijian Government demonstrates accountability and transparency in its decision-making.
Ali says the public has a right to understand how such positions, which significantly impact Fiji's standing on the global stage and its moral compass, are determined.
She says they are calling upon the government to disclose the rationale and any consultations or analyses that led to this stance. Ali says this call for clarity is not just about ensuring governmental transparency; it's about reaffirming Fiji's dedication to principles that respect human dignity and international law.
She says without this openness, the trust between the Fijian people and their government risks being eroded, especially on matters of international significance that reflect on the entire nation.
The Chair says the NGO Coalition is also urging the Fijian Government to demonstrate its commitment to human rights and justice by advocating for the rights of all people, including the Palestinian people, to live in peace, security, and dignity.
She says Fiji is due to make its oral statement at the International Court of Justice hearing on Monday at the Hague.
Ali is also calling on the Fijian public, regional partners, and the international community to join them in urging the Fijian Government to withdraw its support for the occupation and to work towards a just and lasting peace in Palestine.
Questions have been sent to the Office of the Prime Minister and the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs. They are yet to respond. Source: Fijivillage News, 20 February 2024.
FLY NOW, PAY LATER flight organiser to Jerusalem, MICHAEL MAUSIO
