 Mere Samisoni 2 NIGHTS LATER: BUSINESSWOMAN REMAINS IN DETENTION
Torture Watch confirms that businesswoman Mere Samisoni remains in police detention. The latest update is that the 74 year old businesswoman and former MP is detained at Suva's Central Police Station. She was arrested on Friday afternoon, 30 December 2011.
It has also been confirmed by her family that she has had no access to a lawyer or any legal representation. Her arrest comes under the draconian Public Emergency Decree (PER) which gives wide powers of arrest and detention to the military and the police.
It must be noted that under the PER a person can be detained for up to ten days by the police or the military before being charged with a criminal offence or released without charge.
During democratic times under the now purportedly aboragated 1997 Constitution, only the police could only detain a person for up to 48 hours and there was zero involvement by the military. Before the expiration of the 48 hour period, a person had to be produced before a Magistrates' Court and only a court could order a further period of detention or otherwise a person was set free without charge.
How the times have changed in this once island paradise!
 Mere Samisoni during happier times 15 HOURS LATER: MERE SAMISONI REMAINS IN MILITARY CUSTODY
Dr Mere Samisoni was arrested by Fiji's military regime and taken into military custody yesterday Friday 30 December 2011.
This was confirmed by Mere Samisoni's daughter who also said that her mother: " did not have access to legal counsel during interview and that the family had no confirmation for the reasons or allegations against her even though she has been detained by the military".
It is understoond Ms Samisoni is being held at the Criminal Investigation Department headquarters in Toorak, Suva.
The timing of the arrest is suspect and the hallmark of the military and police mode of operation in Fiji when arresting Fiji citizens. Friday afternoon's is their favourite time to arrest persons since with the weekend approaching, all courts, government departments and the rest of the country close up for the weekend.
Mere Samisoni's arrest is worse since its New Year's eve and the government machinery is at a standstill. She is 74 years of age and is an elected Member of Parliament (2006), founder of The Hot Bread Kitchen and respected businesswoman.
NEWS FLASH
Businesswoman Mere Samisoni was detained today (December 30) by the Fiji military. Her detention was confirmed by her daughter this evening.
 OPEN DEFIANCE AGAINST THE REGIME
CITIZENS OPENLY PROTEST
AGAINST REGIME MINING
PLANS.
People in Namosi have openly protested against the regime's plans to open a mine in the area.
Namosi Joint Venture (NJV) project people held a"consultation" with the villagers in the area on 14 December 2011 regarding the mining project on their land. The landowners are worried about the potential environmental effects and the loss of mataqali (landowning unit )lands.
These photograph and reports about opposition to the mining project have been censored in the Fiji media.
These people who openly protested were a cross section of society as seen in the photos and included men, women and children. Under the regime's draconian and illegal law, the Public Emergency Regulation (PER) all forms of protest are banned and illegal. This show of opposition and open defiance has come about at great risk to the personal safety of these people in Namosi.
Will the regime round up the men, women and children involved in this protest and charge them? We will keep you up dated!
We commend the brave men, women and children in Namosi for standing up for what is right and voicing their concerns against the regime.
OPEN DEFIANCE - CHILDREN SPEAK OUT
 UN UNREALISTICALLY AWAITS FIJI REGIME TO RATIFY CORE HUMAN RIGHTS TREATIESThe United Nations human rights office in the Pacific wants to help Fiji's interim government ratify all core human rights treaties.
Out of nine core treaties, Fiji has ratified and reported on just three. They include the elimination of racial discrimination and discrimination against women.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Pacific representative Matilda Bogner told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat program Fiji has also signed but not yet ratified another covering the rights of people with disabilities. Ms Bogner said the remaining treaties deal with several issues, including civil and political rights and protection against torture.
"Fiji's commitment was that they would ratify the remaining treaties over a ten year period from 2010," she said.
"So I would hope they would come up with a plan to progressively ratify and implement those treaties".Source: http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201112/3397102.htm?desktopWe at Torture Watch had earlier commented about the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Pacific in an earlier article: UN OFFICE CONFIRMS FIJI REGIME LIES REGARDING HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSESThe point we made then was the muted approach taken by this office and it still remains the same. Not a single word has been uttered in the Fiji media by the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Pacific representative Matilda Bogner. The only words have been in the Australian media as quoted above and in the New Zealand media found in the link above. Does the United Nations expect the Fiji regime to ratify these treaties? Why would a brutal regime with blood on their hands freely and willingly sign and ratify core human rights treaties? They will not! It is high time that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Pacific and the United Nations become more realistic when dealing with a regime that lies on a daily basis to it's own people and to the international community.
 ACTU president Kearney on Fiji
RENEWED TRADE AGREEMENT WITH FIJI RISKS LEGITIMISING AN OPPRESIVE REGIME
Media Release
The Australian Government’s decision to renew a textile, clothing and footwear scheme with the Fijian Government under a multi-lateral trade agreement will do nothing to improve the lives of lowly paid Fijian textile workers.
The agreement which gives unfettered access to Australia’s markets – the largest market for Fijian textile products – will merely legitimise an oppressive regime that has persistently flouted human rights in the face of international and local opposition, said ACTU President Ged Kearney.
By extending the South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Co-operation Agreement (SPARTECA), the Australian Government is putting the theoretical benefits of free trade above the everyday intimidation, harassment and oppression of real people in Fiji, she said.
The trade agreement means better profits for textile businesses in Fiji who operate in an environment where draconian laws in Fiji are being strategically implemented across the economy, denying workers’ rights, keeping wages unfairly low and flouting basic democratic freedoms.
The textile industry in Fiji has a poor history of anti-worker lobbying, opposing minimum wage increases and applying for exemptions for having to pay any wage rises its workers were entitled to.
The industry also has a poor track record on labour and safety standards and claims by the industry of playing an important role in alleviating poverty are masking serious cases of exploitation of Fijian workers.
“The agreement signed in the so-called interests of textile industry in Fiji merely subjects its workers to further entrenchment of human rights violations as such an agreement legitimises and protects the Bainimarama regime,” Ms Kearney said.
“It makes an absolute mockery of the Australian Government’s so called stance against the illegal government’s rule.
“This decision is in stark contrast to the stand the Australian Government has taken on excluding Fiji from regional negotiations on a new trade agreement until there is a return to democracy and human rights in Fiji.”
The ACTU and the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia will be calling on all businesses, operating with or within Fiji, to demonstrate clearly to Australian consumers that they are not profiteering from the plight of textile workers in Fiji.
Michele O’Neil, National Secretary of the TCFUA said: “This decision does nothing to support workers either here in Australia or Fiji. Clearly the Federal Government has listened to business leaders to profiteer from an increasingly isolated and oppressive Government.”
Source: www.actu.org.au
 Under attack for not protecting media freedom SAMOA JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION CUTS TIES WITH PACIFIC ISLANDS NEWS ASSOCIATION
The President of the Journalists Association of Samoa says it cut ties with the Pacific Islands News Association or PINA because it no longer secures media freedom in the region.
The decision to end its membership was reached following a vote of about 40 people during the Association’s annual general meeting last night.
Its President Uale Papalii Taimalelagi says his organisation stopped paying its membership fees to PINA three years ago and has decided to withdraw completely.
“We don’t understand what’s happening with PINA. We know that PINA given its location in Fiji and with the government sanctioning news, it is no longer possible for us stay with PINA when PINA is not securing that freedom of the media.” Uale Papalii Taimalelagi says the Journalists Association of Samoa is considering joining the Pasifika Media Association.
Source: http://www.rnzi.com
© Radio New Zealand International
 ILLEGAL PM HAS ENDORSED TORTURE ON FIJIANS ILLEGAL PM LIES TO NATION ON CHRISTMAS DAY
Yesterday on Christmas day the illegal Fiji Prime Minister addressed the nation in a very statesman like manner.
To the ordinary listener, this address would have sounded inspiring and filled with hope for the future. This address would also have come across from a leader who was genuine, honest, transparant, accountable and most of all democratically elected.
This is far from the truth! The illegal Fiji PM is none of the above. Firstly he was never democratically elected and infact grabbed power on 05 December 2006 in a military coup.
Genuine & Honest: The illegal PM is neither genuine nor honest and has continously lied to Fiji citizens and to the international community. A good example is when he first grabbed power in 2006, he openly said that elections would be called in 2009, then later changed this to 2011 and it has since been five years now. The latest is that elections will be held in 2014.
Transparent & Accountable: The illegal PM is neither transparent nor accountable. He has amassed millions of dollars in personal wealth since self appointing himself as the absolute ruler and dictator of Fiji. He has also personally ordered the torture of Fiji citizens from the day he grabbed power according to insiders who have come out publicly. There has also since been countless scams involving millions of dollars and awarding of multi million dollars government contracts to dodgy businesses and people closely assosciated with the dictatorship.
In the Christmas day address, the illegal PM urges citizens to renew their commitment to the future of the country. He very conveniently forgots to mention that he is an absolute ruler and a dictator, that the entire Fijian media is gagged with soldiers sitting and censoring all news and that the citizens of Fiji are currently without their basic human rights [1]
Lets renew our commitment, says [Illegal] PM
As Fiji celebrates Christmas today, Prime Minister Commmodore Voreqe Bainimarama has urged all citizens to renew their commitment to the future of the country
In his Christmas message to the nation, Commodore Bainimarama said with a renewed commitment, Fiji will benefit from full social and gender equality and become a nation that protects the welfare and livelihood of all of its citizens and a nation that unitedly moves to strengthen its economy and modernalise along a progressive timeline.
"We, as a nation have accomplished many great things in 2011 and look forward to a holiday season and a New Year filled with joy, steeped in hope and surrounded by family," he said.
"This is a time when families and friends get together in warmth and happiness to remember the birth of Christ and the promises he brought to a troubled world- a world not unlike our own in this time with conflict and unrest.
"Always, and especially during the holidays, we must be concerned with the welfare of our fellow man and ensure that all members of the society experience the true spirit of the Christmas season."
"As this year comes to an end, we as Fijians can look across our great and developing nation with a sense of accomplishment."
"Most importantly, we celebrate a shared humanity among all Fijians from rural areas, to city centres and throughout our many islands," he added.
Source: http://www.fijilive.com/news/2011/12/25/38877.Fijilive
[1] While urging Fijian's to renew their commitment to Fiji, it appears that the illegal PM's talk about equalilty and humanity conveniently overlooks the fact that the regime, under his control removed the basic human rights guaranteed to all Fiji citizens. It would be nice to start with giving us back the following rights so that 'all citizens [can] renew their commitment to the future of the country'.
1. Right to Freedom from torture, cruel or degrading treatment
2. Right to Freedom from unreasonable searches & seizure
3. Right to Freedom of thought and conscious
4. Right to Fair trial
5. Right to Personal liberty
6. Right to Access to courts or tribunals
7. Right to Freedom of expression and speech
8. Right to Freedom of assembly
9. Right to Freedom of association
10. Right to Freedom of movement
11. Right to Freedom of Religion and belief
12. Right to Free and Fair Elections
13. Right to Privacy
14. Right to Equality
15. Right to An independent judiciary
16. Right to A free and independent media
17. Right to Freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
While talking about the birth of Christ and the true spirit of Christmas, the illegal PM conveniently forgot to mention the truth and the real situation in Fiji on Christmas Day!
Dear
Reader
We take this opportunity
to
wish you and your
family
a
Merry
Christmas
From
the
team at
thE torTuRe waTcH
 Qorvis director Tina Jeon next to Fiji DICTATOR and self imposed Prime Minister Bainimarama
"Team Fiji" Co-ops the 99%
Anna Lenzer New York-based journalist
The Huffington Post ran a celebratory item last week announcing the Occupy movement's most exotic and far-flung victory yet. In a piece titled and tweeted
by HuffPost as "A Win for the 99 Percent," the head of Fiji's military junta and self-appointed Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, wrote that "the '99 percent' have called and we have heard them." Bainimarama's inaugural HuffPost blog announced his alignment with the Occupy movement via the promised reduction of taxes on 99% of Fijiian taxpayers, a temporary "Social Responsibility Levy" on the top 1%, as well as a business-friendly climate for foreign investors. He even bothered to respond in the comments section. HuffPost readers could be forgiven for not noticing that the piece was written by an unelected dictator under targeted military sanctions by the United States, who has placed Fiji under martial law and outlawed freedom of speech,
press, assembly, and association. Nothing in the post even hints at Fiji's nightmarish human rights conditions or the writer's status as an international pariah, though his bio does contain his curiously long list of additional titles including also being Fiji's self-appointed Minister for Information and Minister for Finance.
Political dissidents in Fiji are regularly kidnapped by the military and taken to barracks to be beaten or otherwise tortured, where some have died; US Embassy cables released by Wikileaks even detail witness reports that Bainimarama himself beat his critics. Still, the junta leader brazenly declared on HuffPost, "since 2007, my government has enacted critically important political reforms that promote transparency and accountability." In reality, Bainimarama has enforced his rule with a sophisticated surveillance and censorship apparatus through which phone calls and the internet are tightly monitored -- I was arrested in Fiji after the police intercepted my emails, and threatened with rape and indefinite detention. As Minister for Information, Bainimarama has placed government censors in all newsrooms and only allows what the junta has called the "journalism of hope" to be published. Fijians have started dozens of protest blogs detailing the junta's abuses while their media remains censored.
The glowing HuffPost World item certainly appears to be a coup for the DC public relations firm Qorvis Communications, which has been under fire this year for its roster of despotic anti-Arab Spring clients from Bahrain to Yemen to Saudi Arabia. HuffPost itself has done excellent investigative pieces exposing Qorvis' odious clients. The Fijian junta hired Qorvis in early October on a $40,000 per month contract-- the same as its rate for Bahrain-- to burnish the regime's fraying reputation. Fiji's censorship and propaganda-running Ministry of Information announced that $1 million Fijian dollars (about $550,000 USD) had been set aside for Qorvis in its 2012 budget. Bainimarama explained in his budget address that Fiji had hired Qorvis "to assist with training and support for our Ministry of Information" on social media and the internet, and that "they will also help coordinate external communications."
Qorvis director Tina Jeon (whose Twitter bio notes that she's a "Yalie") has issued a series of tweets since the firm's contract began about her time in Fiji, noting her excursions to Bainimarama-led events like the big opening of a Chinese bauxite mine. The most stunning such tweet contains a picture of a young woman sitting on a yacht, typing into a smartphone as Bainimarama stands beside her: "No better place to write a press release.. #Fiji," the tweet reads.
Bainimarama's HuffPost debut follows the Fijian junta's exploding internet and social media presence in the weeks since Qorvis began its work: Fiji, Bainimarama, and his draconian decree-drafting Attorney General have since sprouted new websites, Twitter accounts, and YouTube pages, and a steady stream of PR Newswire alerts about the military's excellence have appeared.
Qorvis declined to answer any questions about the work that its "Team Fiji" -- as one Qorvis employee called it -- has done so far. Qorvis partner and former State Department official Matt Lauer told me that "we do not discuss the intricacies of the consulting work we do on behalf of clients," and directed me to the company's Foreign Agent registration for Fiji, which contains no specifics other than boilerplate language about issuing material to the news media. Even though Qorvis was specifically hired to facilitate such news placements and has done so for its other autocratic clients -- such as when the firm placed an article by the President of Sri Lanka in the Philadelphia Inquirer -- HuffPost's blog editor told me that Bainimarama's post came directly from the junta's head office.
"Team Fiji" exemplifies the closed-door work that corporate lobbyists do to promote brutal regimes around the world, at cross-purposes to the State Department's own efforts. Hillary Clinton referred to Bainimarama's government earlier this year as the "dictatorial regime that unfortunately is now in charge of Fiji," while Qorvis works to give it a makeover and outlets like HuffPost provide it with a global platform on which to spread its propaganda. Qorvis itself, as well as a Qorvis "senior strategist" named Pablo Manriquez who is also a HuffPost blogger, promoted Bainimarama's "Win for the 99 Percent" pitch on their own Twitter accounts.
HuffPost Senior Editor Marcus Baram detailed Qorvis' tactics on behalf of other regimes, and explored the firm's unsavory client list, in revealing posts earlier this year. Baram reported that the firm's representation of rogue regimes, especially Middle Eastern autocrats trying to fight off the Arab Spring, was a big reason that more than a third of the firm's partners had quit over a two month period. "I just have trouble working with despotic dictators killing their own people," a former Qorvis insider told HuffPost, adding that "you take a look at the State Department's list of human rights violators and some of our clients were on there."
Harper's contributing editor Ken Silverstein took the Qorvis dissection to the next level earlier this month, when he detailed for Salon what he called this new "meta-lobbying" approach to public relations. Silverstein noted that a Qorvis employee had blogged on HuffPost in defense of the Bahraini regime while his company was retained by it. Qorvis even distributed a statement on the government's behalf blaming Doctors Without Borders for lacking the proper permits after the group was notoriously raided by security forces for treating wounded protesters.
The Fijian junta's cooptation of the 99% meme as it outlaws and brutally punishes any form of protest is a meta-lobbying joke well-played on HuffPost readers. Rather than champion the 99%, as his post claims, Bainimarama has, since seizing power in his 2006 coup, displayed utter contempt for all of the values that the Occupy movement has been fighting for. He has shunned western democracies while accepting hundreds of millions of dollars as well as military aid from China, where he has said that he'd like to see the United Nations moved. Local Fijian councils who don't support the regime just announced that Bainimarama is threatening to withhold money from their regions if they don't fall into line.
Bainimarama's war on the 99% is perhaps best epitomized by his escalating attacks on Fiji's unions and persecution of the country's union leaders, through draconian decrees, denying permits for meetings, detentions and beatings. Last week he denied increasingly alarmed international union observers entry into the country. (New Zealand press reported this week that police were even present against union wishes at a meeting a few days ago in which Fiji Water laid off a third of its workforce.) Union leaders have begged the international community not to give Bainimarama a microphone for his propaganda. In October, the general secretary of an international information, communication and technology union representing more than 3 million workers wrote a letter of protest requesting an emergency meeting with a Swiss conference that had invited Bainimarama to speak: "We protest that the ITU [International Telecommunication Union] is showcasing the leader of an illegitimate regime. A leader who has no democratic mandate but took power by force. Fiji is a country which is acting in fundamental breach of the UN's Human Rights policy and in contradiction to the ILO [International Labour Organization] Core Labour Standards." The letter concluded by noting that "the invitation to the Commodore brings shame on the ITU by giving a public and global platform which he is now using to legitimate his regime."
In the comments section of Bainimarama's HuffPost blog, International Trade Union Confederation General Secretary Sharan Burrow noted that "since Commodore Bainimarama seized power in a 2006 coup, Fiji has been sliding ever closer to absolute dictatorship, and no matter how much the regime invests in public relations, that simple fact remains."
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anna-lenzer/post_2768_b_1165175.html?view=print&comm_ref=false
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