Urgent Action- FIJI

TORTURE AND DETENTION OF ACTIVISTS IN FIJI

Human rights and democracy activists in Fiji are at risk of torture and
other ill-treatment in the context of an ongoing crackdown by the military
in response to plans for a peaceful protest.

At least 10 politicians, trade unionists, government critics and other
Fijians have been arbitrarily arrested and subjected to severe beatings and
other forms of torture and ill-treatment in the last two weeks at the hands
of the Fijian military, before being released. It is feared that more people
will be arrested and subjected to torture and ill-treatment in the next few
days as the military attempts to prevent plans for a peaceful protest
demonstration against the government in Fiji's capital, Suva, on 4 March
2011.

On 26 February, at least two politicians were detained and beaten at the
army barracks in Suva and released the next day. On the same day, seven
young men from a settlement on the outskirts of Suva were also reportedly
tortured and ill-treated by the military, because they had been discussing
plans for a peaceful demonstration on 4 March. Some human rights activists
and family members who went to ask for the release of the seven young men
were threatened and beaten by soldiers at the army camp. The soldiers warned
the young men that they will be killed if they spoke to anyone about their
treatment at the camp.

On 25 February, Amnesty International reported on the torture and
ill-treatment of Fijian politician Sam Speight, also known as Samisoni
Tikoinasau, who was detained for three days. During that time no information
regarding his detention and treatment was given to his family. Speight’s
detention and torture followed the recent arrests of a number of trade
unionists and politicians who were also threatened and beaten by military
officers at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks. They have subsequently been
released, but there are continuing fears for their safety.

Amnesty International is gravely concerned for the safety of activists and
government critics. No military officers have been officially investigated
or charged over these beatings and neither the military nor the Ministry of
Information answered any overseas media queries regarding these cases.

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in English or your own language:

* Calling for the Fijian authorities to stop the arbitrary detention,
torture and other ill-treatment of critics, activists and members of the
public and allow people to gather together in a peaceful manner on 04
March 2011;
* Calling for the authorities to immediately suspend the Public Emergency
Regulations and allow for peaceful assembly and freedom of expression;
* Calling for the authorities to immediately initiate an independent
impartial investigation into the arbitrary detention, torture and other
ill-treatment of opposition politicians, government critics, trade
unionists, and young people, and ensure that those military officers
suspected of involvement in these acts, irrespective of rank, are
brought to justice.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 31 MARCH 2011 TO:

President of the Republic of the Fiji Islands
Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
Office of the President
Government House
Berkley Crescent
P.O. Box 2513, Government Buildings
Suva
Fax: +679 3301 645
Salutation: Your Excellency

Prime Minister & Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces
Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama
Prime Minister’s Office
Government Buildings
Fax: +679 3306 034
Email:pmsoffice@connect.com.fj
Salutation: Dear Prime Minister

And copies to:
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Ratu Inoke Kubuabola
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
PO Box 2220,
Government Buildings, Suva, Fiji
Fax: +679 3301 741
Salutation: Dear Minister

First Secretary/Acting Head of Mission
Ms Mere Tora
High Commission for the Republic of the Fiji Islands, Wellington
PO Box 3940, Wellington 6140
Fax: (04) 499 1011
Email:viti@paradise.net.nz
Website:http://www.fiji.org.nz

Check with the Urgent Action team if sending appeals after the above date.

TORTURE AND DETENTION OF ACTIVISTS IN FIJI
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

In April 2009, the President of Fiji, President Ratu Iloilo, abolished the
Constitution, sacked the judiciary and declared a state of emergency using
the Public Emergency Regulations (PER). The PER greatly restricts freedom
of expression and peaceful assembly and the Fijian government continues to
use it as a tool of repression. Ongoing censorship of the media and threats,
intimidation and attacks against government critics continue to evoke a
climate of fear in Fiji. Amnesty International has reported of ongoing human
rights violations in Fiji since the military coup d’etat in 2006 and a
prevailing culture of impunity amongst members of the security forces.

UA:51/11 Index: ASA 18/002/2011 Issue Date: 01 March 2011