(PINA/IFEX) – On 29 June 2000, Fiji Islands rebels held sixteen local and foreign journalists for two hours, local newspapers reported. The rebels claimed the safety of the news crews could not be guaranteed outside the rebel-held parliamentary complex, “The Fiji Times” reported. The rebels, who launched an attempted coup on 19 May, denied they […]
(PINA/IFEX) – On 29 June 2000, Fiji Islands rebels held sixteen local and foreign journalists for two hours, local newspapers reported. The rebels claimed the safety of the news crews could not be guaranteed outside the rebel-held parliamentary complex, “The Fiji Times” reported. The rebels, who launched an attempted coup on 19 May, denied they were holding the journalists hostage, and gave them dinner, “The Fiji Times” said. The journalists had gone for a news conference by rebel leader George Speight, who still holds twenty-seven members of Fiji’s deposed government hostage in the parliamentary complex.
Journalists held for two hours included reporters from “The Fiji Times”, “The Fiji Sun”, Fiji Television and FM96, in addition to five Australians, two New Zealanders, and an American who are covering the Fiji crisis, “Fiji’s Daily Post” reported. The incident came amidst indications that Fiji’s military forces, who have declared martial law and temporarily taken over government, are tightening their cordon around the rebel-held complex. “The Fiji Times” quoted a Speight spokesperson, Jo Nata, as saying rebel scouts had noticed an increased military presence and this was why the journalists were told not to leave. But “The Fiji Times” said its journalists were still able to pass through army checkpoints near the complex without any problem. “Fiji’s Daily Post” quoted army spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Filipo Tarakinikini as saying: “It is more dangerous inside rather being outside.” He said the army had contacted the rebels and had been assured the journalists would be released.
Background Information
On 29 May, the Republic of Fiji Military Forces declared martial law and an interim military government. It came amidst growing lawlessness after the elected government led by Fiji’s first ethnic Indian prime minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, was seized in an attempted coup by Suva businessman Speight and armed gunmen, including some soldiers. Speight and his indigenous Fijian followers still hold Chaudhry, twenty-five other members of his government and his son, who was his private secretary, hostage.
The coup attempt by Speight and his supporters came amidst a march through Suva by indigenous Fijians protesting against what they said are threats to their indigenous rights and land ownership. Indigenous Fijians then looted and burned shops and restaurants owned by ethnic Indians in downtown Suva.
Chaudhry won power in general elections in May 1999. His Fiji Labour Party formed a coalition government which included some indigenous Fijian parties. Fiji’s ethnic Indians are mainly descendants of indentured plantation labourers brought from India by the British colonial government in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
In 1987, following widespread unrest and growing violence after the election of what was seen as an Indian-dominated government, Sitiveni Rabuka, then a colonel, led two coups by the army. Fiji returned to parliamentary government in 1992 elections, with Rabuka voted into power as a civilian prime minister. Chaudhry’s government was elected under a new multiracial constitution adopted in 1997.
