Sunday, March 18, 2007

Military Cover Up?

You know you're hitting the right nerves when the Military shuts down one of the talk servers that have been quite "popular" recently by advising the hosts that it's for the "best interest of the people of Fiji".

I had the spare time to visit that site a bit the last couple of weeks and it was a hive of discussions with varying topics, from those interested in providing constructive solutions to getting Fiji out of this rut, to those who simply want to vent both for and against the coup. Understandably, there was slurring and some vulgarity in it, but there were more well presented points and arguments - both for and against - then slurring. Of course, the support for the coup was always coming up short as there was no logical humane defense for the violation of human rights in this country since the illegal military take over.

The bottom line is : The military have shut down an avenue for free speech both for those who support this coup and those who don't. This avenue was no threat whatsoever to the people, and allowed for anonymous free speech - something that has become a precious commodity in these troubled times.
The military no longer allow people to freedom to speak out against the atrocities that they've committed, the violation of people's freedom, twisting the law with their jargon to suit their purposes.

I've made this point before, and will continue to reiterate it until something is done about it that meets the standards if not exceeds those adhered to by our previous governments !!

Their actions raise a lot of questions as to why they're so interested in shutting down free speech for the public? Is it the topic of discussion?
What are they really scared of? - that people will eventually start putting two and two together and raise their voices as one ? How dare they assume that we the people of this county are as gullible as they are ??? How dare they assume that you and I would fall for such blatant arrogance and mistake it for quality leadership!

Well that's not really why i'm writing this article. Lets get back on track here.

In light of the two recent killings at the hands of the military - Nimilote Verebasaga and Sakiusa Rabaka - the investigations have taken a NEW turn in Fiji's crime investigatin history. Well not so new as this article will explain.

To my limited knowledge in all Police investigations into murders the Police force take the lead in the investigations and question everyone involved to set up their case file. When they have completed this, the file is then passed onto the Judiciary or AG's office for the legal process to continue in court.
In these two particular murder cases however - the military have told the police that they will do their 'own internal investigations into the matter and they will give the names of any soldier they identify to be investigated by the police'. Lets stop and catch our breath for a while.

It appears that the RFMF will carry out their own internal investigations into the alleged murders, and then allow the Police to question only those they identify ?!

  • Is this whole intervention legal?!
  • How credible are these military investigations?
  • Aren't the military personnel also subjected to the SAME laws and regulations as normal citizens of Fiji? Even under an Emergency Decree?
  • Where does it say in the constitution that the military has the legal mandate to inject itself
  • into a murder investigation in such a manner?

And the questions continue, but sadly the fact is THE ARMY CAN DO WHAT THEY WANT AND GET AWAY WITH IT!
They are after all supported by their commander who just so happens to be the Interim Prime Minister. The continued silence of the Interim Government has given the army free reign in dealing with civilians because even the "politicians" in the Interim Government (junta) know they themselves risk their positions if they were to be so bold as to speak out against the military. Why do you think no one has brought up the issue of deaths at military hands - instead they try to divert our attention with their propaganda machinery to other matters that pale in comparison to deaths at military hands!

Your silence does the same!

So the Military have bent the rules to suit themselves, and as this article will show, it's NOT THE FIRST TIME!!

The same situation occured when the Police were investigating the deaths of the CRW soldiers that died in 2000. The RFMF forced themselves into the investigations and placed themselves as the liason between the Police and those involved in the deaths of the 4 CRW soldiers. To this day NO ONE HAS BEEN CHARGED for those crimes!!! [read this TIME article for details]

What justice do you see happening for the families of the two civilians murdered at the hands of the military soldiers in early 2007?!

March 15th TV 1 news showed army spokesperson Leweni stating that the military will not rush into investigating the death of Sakiusa Rabaka.
Leweni was shown on Fiji's National TV stating: "Just because someone says that an investigation has to be taken, (doesn't mean) we have to jump".

WHAT!!!

The arrogance of the man is typical of the RFMF attitude now that they can get away with anything! They've gotten away with murder since 2000 and have removed the people who were going to charge them. Who's going to stop them now?

They hide behind their version of "law and order" and use their "Emergency Decree" as an excuse for intimidating the public into silence, singing the same propaganda tune of "taking into consideration as to what is in the best interest and good for the people of Fiji."
(fiji live article)

Are we going to continue our daily lives pretending this is not happening around us? Are we going to continue to ignore what's going on around us?

How much longer will you condone these atrocities through your silence?

How much longer will you be sticking your head in the sand?

"Remember that all through history there have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seemed invincible. But in the end they always fall...always."
- Mahatma Ghandi

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