Human Rights Violations Continue in Fiji Courts

Here's a media release we received from Jagannath Sami affirming that the respect for human rights is non-existent in our courts, thanks to the illegal and treasonous Actg Chief Registrar of the High Courts in Fiji, Major Ana Rokomokoti.


FIJI’s INJUSTICE DECREE
Civil Action No: HBC 12 OF 2007 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI AT LAUTOKA.CIVIL JURISDICTION
Jagannath Sami VS Army Commander Voreqe Bainimarama, The Royal Fiji Military Forces, Ministry of Home affairs and Immigration, The Attorney General of Fiji, Ratu Josefa Iloilo Uluivuda, Hon. President of Fiji Islands and Sugar Cane Growers Council.

Last week my legal counsel, Mr. Shalen Krishna of Krishna & Co. Lautoka, Fiji handed over to me the “Certificate Of Termination Of Proceedings” signed by the Acting Chief Registrar of the High Courts in Fiji.

In essence this means that the High Court in Fiji will not proceed to hear my (Jagannath Sami’s) Civil Action for damages against the Army Commander Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama (1st Defendant), The Royal Fiji Military Forces (2nd Defendant), Ministry Of Home Affairs and Immigration (3rd Defendant), The Attorney General Of Fiji (4th Defendant), Ratu Josefa Iloilo Uluivuda, Hon. President Of The Republic Of Fiji Islands (5th Defendant) and Sugar Cane Growers Council (Third Party).

The Registrar in issuing the Certificate of Termination of Proceedings states and I Quote:

TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to the powers given to me under the section 23(3) of the Administration of Justice Decree 2009, I hereby CERTIFY that this proceeding is wholly terminated pursuant to section 23(3) (e) (g) of the Administration of Justice Decree 2009.

It is a sad day for Fiji and its people that the Registrar of the High Court did not see fit in allowing the Plaintiff his day in Court before terminating the proceedings and thus making mockery of the Fiji Judicial System. No Law is a just law if it deprives the right of justice to a citizen. In this instance what is laughable is the fact the defendents in this action itself decides to terminate the Court proceedings. Is this the equality that the Interim Government brags about.

Indeed, the above action was brought after my unlawful and forceful removal from office as the CEO of the Sugar Cane Growers Council (SCGC) on 02 of January 2007 and subsequent order by the High Court of Lautoka on 16 January 2007 for me to return to work. The High Court had also ordered an injunction against the Royal Fiji Military Forces not to interfere with the Council and its CEO. However despite the High Court Order and the injunction the military and police on 17th January forced me out of office once again.

It’s almost two and a half years now since my removal from office and I have been patiently waiting for the Courts to set a date for the hearing. Instead, the Interim Government by its own naïve actions has produced evidence that the Fiji Judiciary is no longer independent and impartial. There is no respect for human rights of individuals as demonstrated by this action. The Interim government by Promulgating the “Administration of Justice Decree 2009”, which rightly should be named the injustice Decree, has deliberately hijacked the due process of the Judicial system of the country.

I therefore call upon the International Community and democratic societies all over the world to condemn the abuse of Human Rights in Fiji and demand that the country be returned to an elected democratic government and rule of Law and Order as soon as practicable.

Jagannath Sami
Former CEO, Sugar Cane Growers Council