 Chaudhry By RAJENDRA CHAUDHRY There is a well worn adage that says: people deserve what they get. Neal Shusterman, author, writes: “Lethargy. It's a word I know, because it's in one of my father's favorite expressions. Lethargy breeds lethargy. It means the more you lie around doing nothing, the more you want to lie around doing nothing. Your limbs and your mind feel so heavy that it becomes a major effort just to lift your arm to channel surf.” The people of Fiji have had 7 years of dictatorship under Frank Bainimarama, which on 10 April 2009 was held to be unlawful by the Fiji Court of Appeal. During this time we have seen an unmitigated assault on human rights and workers rights. The acts of torture authorised by Bainimarama clearly violate international criminal law statutes. The foisting of the ENI Decree has meant that workers of Fiji, have no right to collectively pursue workplace rights. This regressive piece of legislation also offends the most fundamental workers rights as enshrined in the relevant ILO and UN conventions. The steady assault on the Chiefly system and the Church has also gone unchallenged publicly. Many state their anger or opposition around social gatherings or the grog basin, but there is yet to be a concerted challenge to the illegal regime. A constitution dripping with self interest and characterized with numerous intra contradictions was put in place by Bainimarama’s legal henchmen Aiyaz Khaiyum and Sharvada Sharma in September 2013. That constitution confirmed that: 1. The GCC had no formal constitutional role; 2. Native land was no longer entrenched provision; 3. Fijians only had ownership rights and not control of how native land was used; 4. Immunity for all illegal acts committed by the military; 5. An unworkable electoral system; 6. Political influence in the appointment of judges; and; 7. Political influence in appointment of constitutional office holders. The electoral regulations, the appointment of an unqualified criminal as the Supervisor of Elections and the subservience of the Electoral Commission to the illegal regime are all signs of a rigged election. The warning signs are clear for all who choose to see it. Whilst the ordinary citizen is subjected to constant lectures about abiding by the law, Bainimarama flouts the law at will. His latest charade is his proposed political party, and where he has engaged in vigorous political activity without complying with the political parties’ decree. Despite complaints being lodged, the Police appear to be operationally castrated to question Bainimarama about his alleged act of unlawfulness. |  FAMILY FIRST: Taxi owner Jonacani Bainimarama, the dictator's older brother, said his taxi carried the proposed party colours because he supported what his brother was doing in national development. The current offending is nothing for Bainimarama given his complicity in the murder of the CRW soldiers, his attempts to avoid an independent audit of the RFMF Regimental Funds, and his commission of the offence of high treason. Bainimarama has been quick to pass judgment on former politicians. He has taken every opportunity to criticize these duly elected citizens who have served Fiji at considerable time and expense to their family life. None of these so called old politicians committed murder, plundered the RFMF Regimental Funds and ran government finances into the ground. Sitiveni Rabuka did commit treason and the issue of RFMF Regimental Funds would tend to cast a shadow on him. The Book of Matthew 7:1-2 says: “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” Bainimarama, by his comments against these so called old politicians has sought to judge those who have dutifully served their country. Further, Bainimarama is really in no position to judge any former politician as his own record is tainted by a litany of lies and deceit. Let me give some examples: 1. Said the 1997 Constitution would be preserved – abrogated in 2009; 2. Said no soldier would benefit from the coup – 53 currently occupy senior civil service positions and many benefitted from Board appointments; 3. Said there would be no corruption – over 10,000 cases of corruption in 2013; 4. Said Qarase mismanaged the economy – has run trebled public debt since 2007; 5. Said the PRTU Bill and the payment of salaries of former politicians whilst in jail was wrong – got his brother in law, Francis Kean, let off a murder charge with two week prison time and on full salary; 6. Spoke about Qarase and his cronies – all appointments by Bainimarama are of his lackeys or family members; 7. Speaks of political emancipation – puts in place the restrictive anti voter/ anti political party PPRD; and 8. Says native land is safe – removes entrenched provisions which protected native land in all previous constitutions. However, there is little point in just talking about it. To remove dictatorship we must have a common purpose and commitment and for this there has to be unity. (To be continued) |
