MELBOURNE: Amnesty International says it is deeply concerned about the ongoing crackdown on human rights in Fiji following reports that the military is targetting activists to prevent a peaceful protest planned for Suva.
The human rights group says 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.
Although they have all been released, there are fears that more people will be targeted ahead of the planned protest.
Amnesty International's Asia Pacific deputy director, Donna Guest says the Fiji government should respect people's right to protest.
Presenter: Geraldine Coutts
Speaker: Donna Guest, deputy director, Amnesty International Asia Pacific.
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AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AND RADIO NEW ZEALAND CRITICISED
http://crosbiew.blogspot.com/2011/03/queen-dvd-disk-amnesty-international-nz.html
Independent blogger, Professor Crosbie Walsh, who founded the development studies programme at the University of the South Pacific and lived in Fiji for eight years, has criticised Amnesty International and Radio New Zealand International on his blog over the research involved in the torture of activists allegations. An excerpt:
"[Amnesty International NZ] CEO Patrick Holmes says "at least ten politicians, trade unionists, government critics and others have been arrested and subjected to severe beatings and torture in the last two weeks by the military."
I have written to Mr Holmes asking what measures AI takes to verify the credentials and stories of its informants. He assures me he will reply to my questions soon.
It should be noted that in broadcasting such stories of Fiji, without any attempt at independent verification (such as those taken by Bruce Hill in ABC's Pacific Beat), Radio NZI becomes a party to the stories. Readers who may be asking why Radio NZI is taking such a partisan position on Fiji, should know that my emails to Radio NZI have gone unanswered."
- Radio Australia/Pacific Media Watch
Pacific Media Watch
