An Auckland-based Fiji pro-democracy group has condemned the former Fiji military commander seeking to visit New Zealand later this month over his alleged human rights violations.
Nik Naidu, spokesperson of the Coalition for Democracy in Fiji, criticised Mara's supporters on Radio New Zealand's Checkpoint programme for glossing over Lieutenant-Colonel Ratu Tevita Mara record during the coup in 2006, saying he should not be allowed entry.
He clashed in the interview with Rajesh Singh, a former junior minister in the deposed ethno-nationalist government of Laisenia Qarase.
"Is this the sort of person we want in New Zealand," he asked.
Naidu said CDF had consistently opposed all coups since the first by Lieutenant Sitiveni Rabuka in 1987.
Mara escaped to Tonga last month after being charged with sedition.
Mara spoke at a public meeting in Australia last weekend and wants to come to New Zealand to talk to supporters and, if he can, meet with government officials.
But Nik Naidu told Morning Report in an earlier interview he understood why Mara had suddenly "seen the light", saying he was one of the worst types of officer in Fiji.
Naidu said his group will send a letter to the New Zealand government opposing any visit by Mara to New Zealand.
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully earlier told Morning Report Mara was on a list of people banned from entering tNew Zealand but later announced Mara had been granted a two-day limited exemption. He is expected to visit New Zealand towards the end of the month.
Pacific Media Centre
