Aiyaz Khaiyum’s red herring on 2009 US Human Rights report

[posted 24 March 2010,1500]

Interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum tries to discredit the damning and very comprehensive 2009 US report on human rights abuses and violations in Fiji by referring to one or two minor ‘anomalies’ such as broadcast licences.

He describes the report as “lightweight and not forward looking”.

What does the interim AG have to say about the very detailed listing of human rights violations that took place in 2009 under the Public Emergency Regulations such as:

• rigorous censorship of the media and harassment and
detention of journalists

• denial of the right to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly and
freedom of association

• the restricted jurisdiction of the judiciary and interference
with the rule of law

• detention, harassment and deportation of political opponents and
critics
• interference with the right to freedom of religion and worship

• denial of the right of the people of Fiji to choose their own government

• utter lack of transparency and accountability in government policies and decision making

These are major human rights abuses about which Mr Sayed-Khaiyum as the State’s spokesperson has failed to comment. His sheer silence on these issues says a lot.