9th May 2007
ARMY HAS NO
ROLE IN POLICING, SAYS FWRM
THE MILITARY does not have a role in policing our community and must
remain in barracks, says the Fiji Womens
Rights Movement. FWRMs comments
come in the wake of media reports that the Fiji military
will be posting soldiers to every police post, as well as being included in the
law enforcement Crimestoppers programme.
Violent robbery, rape and home invasions are terrible, traumatic crimes,
but calling in the army is not the answer.
This will only increase the militarization of our society, breeding
machismo and violence, and will eventually worsen the lives of
Fijis citizens particularly women
and children, said FWRM Executive Director, Virisila Buadromo.
Instead we must look to strengthening the institution which is mandated
to maintain law and order the police.
For example, why does the military appear to have greater access to
vehicles compared to our police force?
The police have repeatedly pointed out the dangerous problem of a lack of
vehicles, which prevents them from immediately attending to emergency
calls.
The Movement also questions whether soldiers are truly more effective at
preventing crime than trained law enforcers and police detectives. The Fiji Times (pg 7, 09/05/07) reported that
crime was down only 3% during the period of heavily armed military presence over
January-February this year. Over
the same period, the Fiji Womens Crisis Centre expressed concern over how the
atmosphere of machismo in the immediate aftermath of the December coup impacted
on violence against women in the community.
Having armed soldiers out on our streets, patrolling our citizens, is
never a good thing. This teaches children, and adults, that violence and
exercising brute power is the best way to get what you want whether its
taking over the country, or taking over someone elses home, Buadromo
said.
Lets leave policing to
the police, who need adequate resources, staff and equipment. As communities we
can also do our part by instilling a respect for the rule of law in our
families, and especially in the next generation of leaders our
children.
---ENDS---
For more information contact the Executive Director
Virisila Buadromo (9249906)
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