Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in Fiji. I thank Allen for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.

Boxing Day

Boxing Day in Lautoka and people were out and about. Worries and problems were far away as people flocked to Village 4 to watch a 3D movie The Theater was filled to the brim. Lautoka Hotel was full with people buying a food and having a drink. Restaurants that were open were filled with smiling people just sitting, eating and drinking.

And I am guaranteed that life is really carrying on in Fiji while our neighbour big brothers put in place little sanctions here and there.  And as I saw the faces I said, “These people probably couldn’t care less about the bans and sanctions.”

Yes, life carries on in Fiji.

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Fiji has moved on and Australia must play by the new rules

By: Michael O'Keefe

From: The Australian  December 29, 2011 12:00AM
 
A KEY assumption underlying Australian foreign policy towards Fiji may prove to be false. Even if sanctions are lifted, Fiji may not welcome Australia with open arms. Australia now faces a mature and confident Fiji across the negotiating table and elements in the Fijian government are truly "looking north".

The rules have changed and the goalposts have shifted.

Fiji today is very different to the nation that spurned international condemnation of the 2006 coup and has steadfastly maintained opposition to external "interference" in its affairs. Up to now, Australian policymakers and commentators (including this author) have not adequately adjusted their approach to account for the dramatic geopolitical shifts of the past five years.

The Fijian government is focused on its roadmap to democracy, culminating in elections in 2014. Many commentators doubt the sincerity of this plan. This misses the point. Fiji is sending a strong message that it is a sovereign state in control of its domestic affairs. Fiji will decide the nature of its government and the timetable for elections. This growing confidence is also reflected in international relations.

The recent deportation of the ACTU delegation from Fiji is a clear example of this.

An unintended consequence of five years of Australian isolation is that Fiji has found new diplomatic friends. Suva has built new relationships that transcend the traditional reliance on, and deference to, Australia. Because of Fiji's suspension, the influence of the Australian-dominated Pacific Islands Forum has diminished. Fiji has learnt to live without the PIF and is building other diplomatic architecture.
Fiji has concentrated on the Melanesian Spearhead Group, South Pacific Commission, Non-Aligned Movement and the Pacific islands grouping at the UN.

The MSG has been elevated to become an alternative diplomatic platform. Fiji has used the MSG to apply pressure to the PIF with some success. The potential of the MSG to replace the PIF shouldn't be exaggerated. It provides a counter-balancing effect only because Fiji is suspended from the PIF.
This development does not necessarily represent cracks forming in Pacific regionalism but rather highlights the growing confidence of Fijian leaders in their ability to operate on the international stage.
Fiji's membership of the SPC is also becoming more relevant. The SPC has broader membership than the PIF and brings Fiji in direct contact with the US and France. Fiji's election as chair for the next two years stands in stark contrast to its suspension from the PIF and Commonwealth.

Isolation has also encouraged a growth in bilateral relations. Closer relations with Indonesia, China and South Korea allow Fiji to face the world independently of the PIF, and allow the world to deal with Fiji independently of the PIF. This should be a concern to Canberra. Much is made of the growing influence of China. China has certainly filled the gap with loans and aid, but its primary value is as a diplomatic partner that does not question Fiji's government. However, the assumption that China is simply displacing Australia reflects old "zero-sum" thinking. Australia may be displacing itself. Shifts of this sort take time and there is still time for Australia to re-engage.

Old geopolitical perspectives reflect the view that Australia could dominate Fiji and that China is taking on this role. This does not acknowledge the maturity and confidence that Suva is showing in international affairs. In this new era China is no more likely to dominate Fiji than Australia. Closer relations are occurring on Fiji's terms.

The days of comfortable and predictable influence are over.

Why has Australia been slow to adapt to the new diplomatic realities? Australia has not engaged with the Fijian leadership for so long that it's hardly surprising that Canberra's policy is inflexible. It's hard to do diplomacy without diplomats. Isolation cuts both ways. This approach reflects old rules, where Australia was the dominant power and Pacific island states were deferential. Australia could wield its influence in the PIF and bilateral relations to engineer outcomes that suited its strategic preferences.

This may still be the case across much of the Pacific. It is shown by the fact that the PIF is holding the line on Fiji. However, Fiji always held a special role as the most active regional state and "hub" of the Pacific, and this role is not just being reasserted; it is morphing. Fiji will resume its place as the natural regional leader on its own terms, but as it does the Australia's influence will diminish. The PIF will return to resemble the vision of its founding fathers - a voice for Pacific interests and a counter-balance to large metropolitan neighbours.

In the meantime, the PIF will continue to be constrained by internal divisions. This is not a positive development for Pacific affairs or Australia's interests and speaks to the importance of resolving the dispute between Australia and Fiji. However, a rapprochement will occur only if there is a fundamental shift in Canberra.

Diplomacy is a two-way street. Suva has also sent mixed messages on the need for compromise and re-engagement. The coup led to the centralisation of power in the hands of the Prime Minister and Attorney-General. This provides opportunities and challenges for Fijian foreign policy and for Australian diplomats, should they seek to engage Suva at the highest levels.

If sanctions are lifted, some elements in government may be inclined to see Australia return as a natural partner. However, some forces may not be so inclined. As with foreign affairs, domestic politics in Fiji have also dramatically altered since the coup of 2006. The roadmap needs to survive the test of democracy. There will be winners and losers and the outcome is not predictable.

It would be perilous to ignore potential divisions in the Fijian polity over relations with Australia. As such, much closer engagement from Canberra will be required to manage an orderly return to amicable relations.
A shift to a new era in international relations has occurred in Suva. Compromise will occur only if more emphasis is placed on Fiji's terms. It may be unpalatable for Canberra but Australia needs to learn to play by the new rules of diplomacy in the Pacific.

Michael O'Keefe is a senior lecturer at La Trobe University and adjunct associate professor at the Centre for International and Regional Affairs at the University of Fiji

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Fiji's Human Rights Situation in 2011.

By Matilda Bogner*

 As part of a series of articles to mark International Human Rights Day, 10 December 2011, Matilda Bogner, OHCHR Regional Representative for the Pacific, writes that Fiji is yet to show progress in implementing significant commitments made during a UN human rights review of the country. Incidents in 2011 have continued to raise human rights concerns. However, there is potential to improve and show progress before Fiji comes back for review in 2014.

SUVA, Fiji (OHCHR Regional Office for the Pacific, Dec. 16, 2011) - In 2010, Fiji appeared before the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council in Geneva and made a series of commitments to progress human rights in the country. Fiji was participating in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process that reviews the human rights record of all UN Member States. Fiji accepted 97 of 103 recommendations.

The recommendations covered a broad range of issues, such as climate change, development, freedom of religion and expression, child rights, women's rights, cooperation with international human rights mechanisms, constitutional reform and elections. It was important to see Fiji engage in discussions on its human rights record and make public commitments to advance the enjoyment of human rights in the country.

However, 2011 has not seen the alleviation of concerns that were discussed in Geneva and significant recommendations remain unimplemented. The Public Emergency Regulations remain in force, despite the Government's commitment to lifting them once a proposed media decree was in place. The proposed decree (the Media Industry Development Decree) was promulgated by the President in June 2010.

The Public Emergency Regulations seriously restrict the right to public assembly and freedom of expression, and give the military and other law enforcement personnel broad powers of arrest and detention. They also give the Permanent Secretary for Information powers to prohibit publication or broadcast information 'deemed a threat to the law and order situation.' Failure to comply with a directive from the Permanent Secretary may result in an order to cease all publications and activities. The Regulations also allow the Fiji Government to refuse applications for permits for marches and meetings and to regulate the use of any public place by three or more people.

Under international law, restrictions imposed as a response to emergencies must be proportional to the situation and applied only to the extent and for the time strictly required by the circumstances. Following the introduction of the emergency regulations in April 2009, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that a "state of emergency should only be used to deal with a dire threat to the security of the nation, not to undermine the fundamental checks and balances of good government."

Other concerns regarding human rights surfaced in February 2011, with a series of allegations involving torture by the military and other forms of pressure against opponents of the Government. International human rights law would require a prompt and impartial investigation of the allegations. However, despite the Government of Fiji's commitment to such investigations, made during its Geneva review, no such investigation appears to have been carried out.

The Government, mainly through the military and police, also increased pressure against trade unionists in 2011. In February, there were allegations of arbitrary detention and beatings of several union officials. In August, Mr. Daniel Urai, President of the Fiji Trades Union Congress, was detained under the Public Emergency Regulations and charged with unlawful assembly. In late October, he was again detained and held for ten days under the emergency regulations before being charged with urging political violence under the Crimes Decree. On 4 November, the General Secretary of the Fiji Trades Union Congress Mr. Felix Anthony was also detained and held for seven days before being released without charge. Both men had just returned from Australia where they were raising concerns about the treatment of unions in Fiji. Again, it seems that the commitment made in Geneva by the Government of Fiji "to put an immediate end to attacks, harassment, intimidation and detention with regard to journalists, critics and human rights activists" (recommendation 75) is yet to be honoured.

In June 2011, the President promulgated the Essential National Industries (Employment) Decree, which disallows professional unions from operating in industries that are declared essential by the relevant Minister. The Decree also brings in a number of other restrictions on industrial action, which altogether raise concerns that the fundamental human rights to freedom of association, including the right to form and join trade unions for the protection of workers' rights, could be illegitimately restricted.

While 2011 has seen continuing concerns regarding the human rights situation in Fiji, there is potential for improvements in the near future. The Attorney-General has made comments indicating that the Public Emergency Regulations should be lifted before the constitutional process begins, and consultations on the drafting of a new constitution are due to start in September 2012. In addition, the very fact that Fiji made a commitment to implement the human rights recommendations from the Universal Periodic Review is encouraging and Fiji will now need to illustrate considerable improvements before its next review in 2014 in order to have made significant progress.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has offered support to the Government to implement the recommendations, including the ratification of the remaining core human rights treaties, and the creation of a working group to progress a national consultation on the implementation of the recommendations in 2012. OHCHR look forward to supporting progress in the enjoyment of human rights in Fiji, which can only benefit all Fijians and the entire Pacific region.

*Matilda Bogner is the Regional Representative for the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Regional Office for the Pacific, based in Suva, Fiji.

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Serulagilagi Pleased with 2011

(Friday 30th December, 2011 No:2316/PSC) PSC PLEASED WITH 2011 OUTCOMES

In terms of its contribution to reforms, changes and improvements in service delivery during 2011, the Public Service Commission is indeed highly satisfied and pleased.

PSC chairman Mr Josefa Serulagilagi made the comments as the commission reflected on its achievements for the year.

Mr Serulagilagi said the civil service had a workforce of nearly 27,000 and obviously this was a large workforce, given the size of our country and the limited fiscal resources at our disposal.

The salaries and wages bill in the civil service constitutes 37 per cent of total revenue, and 42 per cent of total operating expenses of the State. In accordance with international standards, these statistics are considered high.

Mr Serulagilagi stated that “while there have been mixed results so far, in terms of reducing the size of the civil service, or for that matter attaining a reduction in its operating costs, I can confidently say that we have been able to contain the growth in both these areas.  In the last three years, the size of civil service has not increased whatsoever.”

“We have also been able to contain the wages and salaries bill and operating costs of the service through the stringent imposition of certain controls and improved reporting, monitoring and compliance.”

The chairman said these were commendable achievements because the unchecked increases in the size and costs of the civil service of the past were now no longer in existence.

The commission over the last 12 months has placed major emphasis on human resource development; improving ethics and discipline; organisational reviews to determine core roles, functions and optimum size of government ministries and departments; and improving efficiencies and productivity throughout the civil service.

“These are areas where magic formulas do not exist and where overnight results cannot be obtained,” Mr Serulagilagi said.

“I, however, can say with confidence that the building blocks have been firmly put in place, and there exists a vast reservoir of political commitment from Government to effect the best from these vital  changes and reforms.

“The year 2012 will see the PSC working on maximizing gains from the reforms implemented up to this point in time. The commission will delve deeper into effecting changes to bring about increased levels of efficiency and productivity. It will prioritise the finalisation of the framework and related details for progressing the implementation of a productivity-based pay system in 2013.”  

As the year comes to an end, the PSC chairman conveyed his appreciation to all public servants for their continued commitment and hard work towards achieving the targets set in ministries, departments and agencies as part of their respective Corporate Plans and Individual Work Plans.  

He also offered his well wishes to all civil servants and their families for continued success in their personal and professional lives in 2012.

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Is this the Way Fiji May Go?

(Wednesday 28th December, 2011 No:2307/MOFA) OFFICER GRADUATES FROM RESILIENCE INSTITUTE
Superintendent Sakiasi Tamani of the Fiji Police Force recently completed a 13-month course organized by the National Resilience Institute of Indonesia.

Superintendent Tamani, who graduated this month from the institute, joined participants from 13 countries to undergo the ‘Regular Training Course’ which took place between March and December this year. Prior to this, participants attended a mandatory Indonesian language course in September last year.

The institute serves as a think-tank for the President and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia. It is also a non-department government institution subordinate and responsible to the President.

A statement issued by Fiji’s Embassy to Indonesia reports that the institute has a vision to create national leaders who dare to maintain a robust, comprehensive, integral and holistic national integrity based on the nation’s ideology namely Pancasila [The Five Principles/Pillars of the Indonesian Society], the 1945 Constitution, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and the principle of unity in diversity.

The establishment of Lemhannas was a response to the strategic development nationally and internationally, which suggested the need for integration and close cooperation and dynamics between civilians, the military and the police as well as heads of the national private sectors, leaders or political organizations and social organizations to ensure proper state governance.

The establishment of Lemhannas is also to fulfill one national urgent need in the efforts to safeguard and preserve the national ideals, the goal of the nation and sustainability of the nation amidst political games in the world.

Their main task is to carry out government tasks in the field of Strategic Studies on various national as well as international issues required by the President and the decision makers of the national policies; and in the sector of education to prepare cadres of potential leaders at the national level, ensuring the national leadership as having the mindset, attitude and action in a solid, comprehensive and integrated manner.

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