Mark P. Williams
WELLINGTON (Scoop Media/Pacific Media Watch): Twin protests against alleged police brutality, human rights abuses and worker rights by the Fiji regime of Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama have been staged in Auckland and Wellington.
The protests were the culmination of activism by a range of civil society groups and sparked by the recent video exposure of violence against prisoners by Fijian security personnel.
The Wellington protest was organised by blogger and activist Sai Lealea who led the speakers outside the Fiji High Commission.
Groups represented included the Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU), the Green Party and Amnesty international which have all condemned the Fiji regime.
Amnesty International has called for an independent investigation and released an open letter.
The NZCTU has been campaigning strongly for recognition of worker's rights and labour standards in Fiji and demanded that the Bainimarama regime recognise human rights at work.
The Green Party has also insisted that the New Zealand government should use its influence in the region to put pressure on the Fijian government.
The controversial video of brutality against prisoners
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