Petition
Petition
Ladies and Gentlemen, this morning
Friday the19th of March 2010, at 12.00 pm Canberra DST (2.00pm FT), a petition
was handed over to the Interim Prime Minster, Mr. Voreqe Bainimarama. The
petition was from Mr. Vilisi Nadaku, his wife Ana and their five children,
demanding Bainimarama and his Interim government to return Fiji to the polls
this year, 2010.
Accompanying the petition
was a letter from me, and a list of people and organisations who endorsed and
supported the Nadaku family's intiative, who took the brave and selfless step
in informing Bainimarama and his government of our right, demand and
entitlement.
This action I could say, is
also supported by the UN Human Rights Council, with majority of its members
agreeing to the fact, that Fiji has been deprived of fundamental human rights
in its recent meeting in Geneva, to which they further commented through their
respective representatives, that Bainimarama should restore the 1997
constitution, and return the country immediately to electons and a
democratically elected government.
The number of people that
are represented in the support of the Nadaku family came to a total of 685,936.
To all of you who have put your names and photos to support your intensions, I
would like to thank you for your loyalty to your country and its freedom. You
have contributed immensely to the liberation of your homeland.
I would like to thank the
Democracy Movement Chapters and their respective leaders and supporters. Let me
remind you, that after being mocked for doing nothing but blogging, we have
achieved a lot, not only in getting the World to sit up and take notice, but
most importantly to take action. The three events that took place in the space
of a week, (HRC, Vanuatu PIF, Petition) showed that “Truth” has decided to show
itself, and it has exhibited its strength, its timing, significance and most
importantly its desirability or value to human kind.
The petition has been sent
to various high offices and entities for further exposure of the peoples'
desire.
This localities include, UN
HQ New York, EU, Commonwealth Secretariat, Political parties Head Offices
(Fiji), Various embassies and High Commissions, Bloggs/Websites, NGOs,
Academics in Fiji and abroad, ANU College of Asian Pacific Studies , Amnesty
International and Churches.
That part done, we will
await Bainimarama's response, and in the meantime, we will be putting a second
part of the fight in motion. While I cannot disclose the nature of the actions
we will take as yet, I can tell you that we will intensify our efforts and we
are confident of volutary support, if the response to the petition is anything
to go by.
I hope that the fight will
now be of a more extreme degree, because the Regime will not be giving us our
freedom cheaply. That said, I will remind one and all, they(military) have
blood on their hands, and if we don't liberate the country for our children,
then, we are guilty of the same offence.
A special mention for the
President and members of the Melbourne Democracy Movement Chapter, for their “Lolo-
Masumasu” every Tuesday since their conception. This fight cannot be won with
mortal strength, we need Divine intervention, for a complete and through
victory. From me to all of you, vinaka vakalevu.
This is a reminder, for
those who try to oppress people who pray and believe in God ;
Jeremiah 28 : 10.
Hananiah grabbed the wooden yoke from my neck and smashed it, 11. Then he said,
“The Lord says, this is the way he will smash the power Nebuchadnezzar
(Bainimarama) has over the nation(s), and it will happen in less than two
years.
Vinaka.
Suliasi Daunitutu.
The Petition itself
Lot 9 Kuruva Place
Caubati
Suva, Fiji.
February 18, 2010.
Dear interim Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama,
We the Nadaku family, write to share our concerns regarding developments in Fiji since the December 5, 2006 military coup. We urge you to ensure the swift transition to an elected government, and call on you and your officials to immediately and publicly make a commitment that fundamental human rights will be respected.
We are particularly concerned that the longer the Interim Government delays the elections, the more we the people will suffer.
To deny us the right to elections is contrary to Article 21 of the UDHR which states;
“. Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
. Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
. The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections, which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.”
You are reminded that Fiji is a signatory to the Declaration.
We also note with concern the latest statement by Brigadier Driti who is quoted as saying that any act of civil disobedience by the people of Fiji will be dealt with “severely”.
These types of statements only create fear and do not promote a healthy relationship between the government of the day and its people.
We as a family unit are of the view that it is our right as citizens of Fiji to demand for elections this year, and for a swift return to parliamentary democracy.
We therefore urge your IG to make a commitment for elections to be held towards the end of the year, 2010.
We also urge the government of Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America, The United Kingdom, Japan, The E.U, the Commonwealth of Nations, the Forum Secretariat and other relevant NGO’s and organizations to continue to pursue the process towards elections this year.
It is our humble opinion that this great nation of ours cannot, must not, continue on the path it is taking today. To do so would only prolong the pain and suffering of our people who cannot stand up to voice their opinion due the Public Emergency Regulations, and the censorship of the media.
Copies of this letter have been sent to the three paramount chiefs of the Kubuna, Tovata and Burebasaga Confederacies, the Methodist Church, Foreign Embassies in Fiji, NGO’s and human rights groups, democracy advocates worldwide, and Fijian Political Parties for their information.
We pray that you will do what is right and just for the people of Fiji, based on the four fundamental principles of democracy, government by the people, active participation of the people, protection of human rights and above all, the rule of law.
Sincerely,
Vilisi Nadaku,
On behalf of the Nadaku Family.
Phone: 679/3608406/
Mobile: 679/9653023
c.c. Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi
Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu
Ro Adi Teimumu Kepa
US Embassy
Australia High Com
New Zealand High Com
Japan Embassy
European Union
United Nations
Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre
President Methodist Church In Fiji
Mick Beddoes, UPP
Mahen Chaudhary, FLP
Raman Singh, NFP
Laisenia Qarase, SDL
Forum Secretariat
Citizens Constitutional Forum
Media(Fiji Times, Fiji Sun, Daily Post, ABC Australia, RNI)
Democracy and Humans Rights Groups


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