16^th March 2006

THE FIJI Women s Rights Movement and the Pacific Centre for Public Integrity are concerned by recent reports about the Fiji Military s Truth & Justice Campaign in the lead up to Fiji's National Elections in May.

The Military played an important role in returning the nation back to stability and normality after the traumatic civilian coup of 2000 and we appreciate the strong voice of the military in upholding the rule of law and the application of the principles of democracy on critical occasions during the past five years.

However, it is now time for the Military to step back and let our constitutional and democratic processes work. We have to put our faith and trust in our constitution and in the democratic values and principles that we as a nation have embraced, and it is now time to let these processes take over, as the nation prepares to elect a new government in May.

The Military has demonstrated very strongly its belief and respect for the rule of law and for upholding democratic principles and values. It is to protect that very same rule of law that we strongly urge the RFMF to refrain from interfering in civic maters.  

One cannot, no matter what the provocation and justification, break the law to protect the law. These threats and actions undermining the very institution (the rule of law) that the Military purports to protect, Said PCPI Director Angie Heffernan.

It is unheard of for any military in a democratic society to actively participate in an election campaign, even if that role is an educative one. In a democracy the voters are the judges of Government performances over the last 5 years, and it should be left to them to reward or punish Government at the polls.

We thank the Fiji Military for its hard work and dedication to the safety and security of all of Fiji s citizens and trust that the RFMF will continue to put the safety, security and rights of its citizens first. 

Ms Angie Heffernan                                                      Ms Virisila Buadromo

Director                                                                        Executive Director

Pacific Centre for Public Integrity                             Fiji Women s Rights Movement