Sri Lankan Lawyer’s Claim True and Correct

The claim by Sri Lankan lawyer, Madhawa Tenakoon, that the illegal, corrupt and ruthless military regime in Fiji interfered in Fiji’s judicial system and pursued a selective, “witch hunt” policy in the investigation and prosecution of persons by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), is absolutely true and correct, former Military Officer, Ratu Tevita Mara, said today.

Mr Tenakoon was a lawyer on contract with the FICAC before he resigned, unable to stomach the abuse of power, abuse of justice and flagrant abuse of the rule of law in Fiji by the ruling military junta. Ratu Tevita said that, shortly after the Military Coup of December 2006, the Military Commander Frank Bainimarama devised a policy to destroy the Fiji Labour Party (FLP) and the Soqosoqo ni Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) and totally remove both from the political landscape of Fiji. It was first necessary, however, to destroy the Leaders of both Parties, Mahandra Chaudhry of the FLP and Laisenia Qarase of the SDL, in any and all ways possible through subverting investigative and legal systems in Fiji.

Ratu Tevita revealed that Commander Bainimarama created a special Military Council after the coup and at a meeting of the Council in early 2007, he raised the issue of the FLP, SDL and their Leaders Chaudhry and Qarase, and emphasized that the Parties and the Leaders were political enemies of the State and ordered that charges be made up and brought against the two men to ensure that they were kept out of the political future of Fiji.

“I know this for a fact since I was present at that meeting,” Ratu Tevita added.The former Military Officer, now campaigning regionally and internationally against the illegal military Junta and for the return of freedom, democracy and the rule of law in Fiji, pointed out that at a Meeting of the Commission for Change in Fiji, some years ago, dictator Bainimarama, told members that he was opposed to any representatives from the FLP and the SDL being represented on the Commission and especially Chaudhry and Qarase.

“I wish to repeat: what Sri Lankan lawyer Tenakoon said about interference in the judicial system and in the FICAC is absolutely true and correct,” he asserted.

“The oppressive, repressive and suppressive regime of Bainimarama and his co-conspirator, Aiyaz Khaiyum, is destroying the foundations of civilised society in Fiji, to wit, the rights and freedoms of every citizen, the freedom of speech and the media and the rule of law. It must end.

I call on countries in the South Pacific region, especially Australia and New Zealand, and the International Community to do more to end the nightmare in Fiji. I urge the people of Fiji to pursue peaceful protests and peaceful resistance against the tyranny, injustice, corruption and dictatorship in the country. The late, great Leader Mahatma Gandhi carried out a plan of “passive resistance” by the people in India many years ago which led to their freedom and independence. The people of Fiji must stand up against the evil being perpetrated by the vicious and brutal illegal military junta. Enough is enough,” Ratu Tevita declared.

ENDS

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