Media Release
Tuesday 6 September 2011
The Education Union representing over 68,000 teachers in Australia is calling on the Pacific Islands Forum to take strong action to force Fiji to stop human rights violations of Fijian people and union leaders.
The IEU Federal Secretary, Mr Chris Watt said the Pacific Islands Forum, being held in New Zealand, should send a message that Fiji will continue to be shunned on the International stage until the attack on democracy and workers’ rights are stopped.
“The current regime under Commodore Bainimarama has trampled all over the basic rights of workers in Fiji and has indiscriminately jailed labour movement leaders.
“What is happening to the people of Fiji should not be acceptable to any of the leaders attending the Pacific Islands Forum, and every country attending should loudly condemn Commodore Bainimarama as a dictator,” said Mr Watt.
The Australian Union Movement recently held rallies in support of the workers in Fiji. We are calling on the regime to:
Allow for peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
Restore the basic working protections to civil servants
Restore freedom of association to workers in Fiji.
Cease all detention of critics and activists and immediately drop all charges against Mr Daniel Urai, President of Fiji Trade Union Congress.
“The Pacific Island countries which support the current Fijian regime are lending undeserved validation to Bainimarama and his cruel treatment of the Fijian people, said Mr Watt.
“Elections in 2014 are not good enough for the Fijian people whose basic human rights are being crushed by this brutal dictator.
“The current regime is taking Fiji and its people backwards when the country should be enjoying prosperity and freedom in the 21st Century.
“Strong action is needed now from the Pacific Islands Forum in order to get Fiji back on track,” said Mr Watt.
Media Contact: Evan Langdon 0429 020 409