Let’s get this straight…

Bula ragone! The responses from Fiji Human Rights Commission director Dr Shaista Shameem and the interim Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaium today in regards to the resignation of the FHRC from the ICC in addition to the issue being passed off as a non-issue BEGS our response.

It was a failed attempt at damage control by Dr Shameem but the implications for this country are huge. Sadly it is the people of this country who will suffer. Where else can people living under a junta turn to if this body has been denounced at the global level as having no credibility or independence?

Perhaps they can continue the farce of business-as-usual but the reality is that no one will utilize their services despite the over-time being put into giving an “it’s all good” impression. It appears Dr Shameem is only too willing to voice concerns on human rights when it gives her the chance to make snide jabs at the countries that are standing firm on human rights standards, as illustrated in a story on Fijilive.

What are our options? Do we really care if a body is constitutionally-mandated yet discredited or will we be better off with another body that can well and truly uphold human rights?

In addition to threatening legal action against the USA, she has now burned Fiji’s bridges at the international level by blatantly stating that the UN is biased. This classic deflection tactic of hers takes precedence over what our own foreign affairs ministry is trying to achieve in terms of restoring Fiji’s reputation both regionally and internationally. A tread-mill journey going nowhere and which we do not envy.

Let’s be clear. Voluntary membership by human rights bodies is not that simple. All human rights entities have to consistently and rigorously jump hoops to confirm their credibility and impartiality and all entities are subject to this treatment. If you can convince the ICC that you are really for the people, you will be welcomed as part of the global human rights family. And that really is the power of internationally networked human rights institutions—that they can mobilize the global strength of like-minded human rights bodies and the UN when human rights violations are not getting the proper attention of the State.

Pitifully, Mr Saiyed-Khaiyum has shown the lack of his backbone in all this. The revocation of his visa will be just the tip of the iceberg saddled with the death of his career as an officer of the court.

Well ragone, as I like to say, this cookie is crumbling! Moce mada.

Did Bainimarama threaten US envoy?

There’s an interesting story from Pacnews reprinted in the Fiji Times about the US cancelling Commodore Frank Bainimarama’s visa.

The story quotes Bainimarama as telling a function held at the army headquarters that the US ambassador Larry Dinger should “prepare his running shoes” – a reference to the instances when detained people are made to run around at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks.

An Intelligentsiya reader alerted us to this comment buried deep inside the story and asks: “Did he really just threaten to take Larry up to camp and make him run?” and “Did he really just break the Vienna convention rules about threatening diplomats?”

If the comment is reported correctly it reveals a serious lack of understanding of diplomatic protocols on Bainimarama’s part.

Are we really heading for a dictatorship?

Going nuts over Fiji (but not the military)

I had to chuckle at Google's April Fool Day's prank …after I took five to think the idea through. Brilliant Google, absolutely brilliant!!!

In the meantime the adrenaline rush from the 7s tourney in Hong Kong was a let-down I admit BUT I'm consoled into thinking the boys thought about us in the end as the farcical Emergency Regulations inevitably means gathering for public celebrations and marches is a no-no. I am sure I was but a ripple of a very big unified country wave. Passionately singing the anthem in my head, and thereafter sitting through the nail-biting show-down between Fiji and Samoa.

The peak IRB Sevens tournament at So Kon Po stadium reverberated with the clash of Pasifika titans while we here in Suva reverberate from the earthquake/tremors….I counted six in all within the afternoon and evening, a sure-fire feather in the Director of Meteorology's/Mineral Resources Department cap and plea for more money for advanced warning technology. We predict some nudging from the insurance industry soon especially in the light of the tragic events in Gizo. Our prayers are with our fellow wantoks from the Solomon Islands.

Propaganda alert

Anyway, seven-a-side rugby aside…it's hard to totally switch off from the happenings here as the PR machinery of the junta and others have gone into overdrive

The first one we tackle is the seemingly noble assertions from Messrs Korovulavula and Senilagakali over the cessation of workshops at hotels for government departments. Good try gents but hardly a ripple in the bigger scheme of gaping wide government coffers. We note your sheer refusal to tackle the biggest expenditure of all by you and your lot - and that would be the use of government 4WDs for yourselves. This is an honour only bestowed upon those we vote for and who actually win their seats. Guys you score 1 out of 10 for your propaganda attempts.

Also of interest is the remark by Mr Bainimarama telling chiefs to tell their people to wait for the fullness of time for the elections. Hullooooo? We can wait but the world certainly won't and we salute them for their external pressure which will be escalated. This is guaranteed.

As for tourism bouncing back just like before…ummm…not likely, as the travel advisories “carrot” will depend on time-lines. Ours not yours.

Mr Bainimarama's next faux pas is that the brain-drain was due to previous government's racist policies. Hah! Perhaps he hasn't considered the racist aspects of the FMF and why it is glaringly obvious that the race-factor is one-sided in his own organization. You get a -2 out of 10 score for propaganda attempts I'm afraid Frank!

Mr Bune's statement that they have saved about F$3mill…ahhhhh…could be wonderful...but it has not been saved YET. If you do the pragmatic maths, you might save it this lovely amount a year FROM when you sacked everybody because the savings projections comprise annual salaries and perks. Hopefully because of the dire economic outlook, here's hoping you don't spend it all before you can actually count the savings.

And another thing Po, please cut the BS about CEO's and non-performance as you certainly had no reservations about this when you crossed the floor! With the reversion of the technocrats back to the good ol' Permanent Secretary mould we will see maaaaaany of them hogging these seats until they retire—throughout positive or negative performance outputs. Poseci earns himself a -1 out of 10 for his propaganda attempts.

Mr Chaudhry, it grieves me to say this, but your concerns about our economic situation are lost on us. You really need to have a one on one with Messrs Bainimarama and Teleni and get the army to pull out ALTOGETHER. God knows how much their rental car LPOs, over-time and meals are racking up. You might also want to have a chat with your boy Felix Anthony as the way in which sacked Natadola developer APRIL is being treated does not indicate any signs of being conducive to investment. 3 out of 10 for propaganda attempts Pal.

The points keep bringing them down

Father Barr's scathing attack on the USA and democracy was quite well responded to by a letter to the editor authored by Stanley Simpson in Saturday's Fiji Times. Kevin Barr is beginning to lip-sync lines that we're sure we heard elsewhere and for that he earns himself an egg because he should know better.

Felix Anthony and his side-kick Daniel Urai are becoming quite pesky. Every board Anthony sits on suddenly loses their CEO and while it may seem a ploy to eradicate all players with possible ties from the "SDL corruption-infested side" what it really is, we surmise, is a slow but steady infiltration of FLP influence into key statutory entities just like before. All in readiness for the upcoming elections we are betting.

We’re not sure about what's happening with the police-folk but they are getting an annoying habit of pulling numbers out of their ears and crying about the lack of man-power.

The lack of man-power is not "new" news guys so stop running to the press in the hope that you will get sympathy. Just get on with whatever it is you have to do and make sure it's legal so that it can stand up in a court of law.

Good attempts with the reduced carbon emission attempts in the form of bicycles though. Perhaps they might like to pass on this "good practice" to their friends up on the (Delainabua) hill. 3.2 out of 10 to Tikotikoca, Nasir Ali and crew.

The planned roll-out of the Employment Relations Bill also deserves a mention. We detect that Madams Malani and Ganilau are inferring that they had everything to do with this draft legislation. Ahhh not quite. A lot of work had gone into it from many sectors last year however if it gets pushed through (even though the provisions are commendable) it will NOT get the support of the masses that they envisage. No way. Because pushing this through (what promulgation AGAIN?) is the sole authority of the legislature full-stop. 1 out of 10 for your attempts ladies.

Shaista’s wall of shame

Turning now to our favourite constitutionally mandated office the Fiji Human Rights Commission…hmmm the public relations about-turn from the snide "get a life" and vehement "we will sue your ass USA'" to the pitiful Rootstrata rendition of "we are victims of this political war" is entertaining.

We say NO CIGAR Dr Shaista Shameem. The lack of resources appear to have been bought full-circle from the racking up of flight-miles (and points) consistently during the past years and governments, where one could almost be guaranteed an informal appointment at airport lounges with the Shaista (or a new tag Shyster), if getting an appointment at her office was impossible.

This Canadian evaluation appears to be a waste of both money and white-wash attempts. No organization unless you are totally self-sufficient, in the private sector or listed on the Fortune 500 listing will EVER get wish-list funds. Never. Even more so for human rights commissions the world over. Perhaps the grand soirees, launches, cocktails and colloquiums undertaken throughout its lifetime under Dr. Shameem's leadership could be a probable factor of its over-expenditure.

As for the PWC evaluation, we are informed that this was done a while back and was an attempt to upgrade the salaries of already well looked after staff…if you consider their output and how much the citizenry actually know about this organization (pre- 5/12 of course). Dr. Shameem might like to fob this role off to NGOs but it is not to NGOs for whom the constitutional responsibility (and funds) of human rights education has been granted. Then there is the small matter about the lack (like never!) of the constitutionally embedded task of annual public meetings for the citizenry which some letter writers had raised to the fore last year.

The Shyster earns herself -5 out of 10 for a real propaganda mess that will not be fixed if she remains there.

The sad thing about Dr Shameem’s actions is that the status of the FHRC leaves the citizens in even more of a dilemma.

The only certain thing is uncertainty

From Cassandra’s Desk

I don't mind admitting that one is never too old to learn something new. In my case it has been re-discovering a simple but fundamental truth, which I feel bound to share. It's that certainty is a much undervalued commodity. We take it for granted when we have it, yet we're rendered dangerously vulnerable when we don't.

For me, my uncertainty deepened by degree, almost in lock-step with the incremental escalation of Commodore Bainimarama's confrontation tactics over the course of the past year or so. Then, on December 5 he seized power by threatening to use his guns. That's when my sense of uncertainty peaked, or should I say bottomed?

Yet for others it had the opposite effect. The justifications advanced by Bainimarama at the time undoubtedly resonated with elements of the hoi polloi. Here's someone, they thought, who'll put things right. In other words, suddenly, with the brandishing of a gun, greater certainty was at hand.

Yet what have we got now? More uncertainty, that's what. And it's being generated by an increasingly moribund "interim" regime. Moribund? Well, let's take an example: Despite promises of an early statement, there's still no comprehensive public response by the junta to the Pacific Forum Ministers' Outcomes Statement of March 16. Surprised? Never! That's how Frank runs things. Go to his RFMF website and you'll see that no press releases have been issued since February 28. Now, is that a fearless, modern defence force on the move or what?

But seriously, rhetoric that sounded so focused, non-compromising and oh so noble a few months ago has been shown by subsequent events (non-events, actually) to have been a load of self-serving codswallop, and damn cynical and reckless codswallop at that!

I perceive that for an increasing number of Fijians there is a gradual, albeit reluctant, realization that they have been fed the big lie. It's a realization that will only give rise to more uncertainty.

It will be the worst kind of uncertainty - that gnawing, sometimes frightening feeling that not only engulfs individuals in a private despair but, as the "interim" regime flounders on and the economy weakens further, will continue to work its way in to the national psyche.

Speaking of matters psychological, I have no qualifications in this field, but who needs a medical degree to discern the bleeding obvious in the case of our self-appointed dictator? Simply consider his words and promises, compare them with his actions - and it's painfully clear that Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama is a few bananas short of a decent picnic. In this time of uncertainty, that's at least one thing that is certain. It's marvelously ironic, don't you think?