As it becomes increasingly clear that Colonel Ben Naliva’s appointment in the Australian Defence Force is about to be reversed, the Commander of the RFMF, Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, has had his reputation severely dented for his lack of candour about the allegations of human rights abuses against Colonel Naliva and other military personnel during the 2006 coup.
Ro Kalouniwai has been a commissioned officer since 1992 and among other senior posts, has been Director of National Intelligence and Security. So his claim that he was not aware of alleged human rights violations at the Queen Victoria Barracks in 2006 is inconceivable. As the activist, Pita Waqavonovono, reminded the nation in an article in the Fiji Times (see below), they have been on the public record for years. And it does not reflect well on the RFMF Commander to pretend otherwise.
Ro Kalouniwai’s public position that the RFMF didn’t know about the allegations against Ben Naliva because “they were not reported” simply isn’t credible. What mechanisms existed in 2006 for abuse victims to report their ordeals? In the atmosphere of extreme repression and fear at the time, the RFMF Commander knows that any individual who did so would have received a cuffing or worse.
Anyone with even a rudimentary knowledge of the events of 2006 knows that some of Fiji’s biggest names, then and now, were “taken to the Camp”, and subjected to verbal and physical abuse, including allegations of pregnant women being beaten. They included the likes of Laisa Digitaki, Virisila Buadromo and Richard Naidu – who have remained oddly silent about their ordeals as Pita Waqavonovono bravely calls out the current institutional denial about an ugly chapter in the RFMF’s history.
Ro Kalouniwai has refused to make himself available to most media outlets as this story unfolds, most notably The Australian newspaper, which has led the coverage of this story and in doing so, has highlighted the timidity of much of the mainstream media in Fiji in the supposed new era of “media freedom”. Both the RFMF Commander and the Home Affairs Minister, Pio Tikoduadua, have stretched their credibility to breaking point by trying to dismiss the allegations as coming from “social media” when they came from Australia’s most influential newspaper and Victor Lal at Fijileaks.
As The Australian tells it, Ro Kalouniwai refused to take its calls, which indicates that he was far from confident of his own position. But Pio Tikoduadua at least appears to have changed his previous hardline attitude and has finally engaged with The Australian‘s Stephen Rice to state the bleeding obvious:
“On Thursday, in answer to a series of questions from The Australian, Mr Tikoduadua adopted a more conciliatory tone, acknowledging it could have been difficult and perhaps dangerous for individuals to have reported abuse allegations under the previous administration of coup leader Frank Bainimarama.
“It’s understandable that individuals may have faced challenges or concerns about coming forward with their claims, especially considering the political and social context at the time,” Mr Tikoduadua said. “The current administration is committed to ensuring that all individuals feel safe and supported in voicing their concerns and that their allegations are taken seriously and investigated appropriately.”
According to The Australian, Fiji has now told the Australian Defence Force that it is up to it to decide whether Colonel Naliva should remain as Deputy Commander of the 7th Regiment and we have a pretty fair idea of what will happen. The political and defence establishment in Australia is coming under intense pressure from human rights groups and an influential Australian Senator, Jacqui Lambie, to reverse the appointment.
Next week, with cameras blazing, Senator Lambie reportedly intends to grill service chiefs in Senate Estimate hearings about how they could possibly have decided to appoint a foreigner accused of torture – including allegedly trying to insert a rifle barrel in someone’s anus – to a command position in a regiment of Australia’s beloved “diggers”. And we can be pretty sure that sometime between now and then, an announcement will be made that Ben Naliva has been relieved of his new position.
If it is true that the Colonel was sent to Australia in the first place because he was the RFMF officer most likely to pose a threat to Ro Kalouniwai and stage a coup on behalf of his patron, Frank Bainimarama, then that plan has backfired in spectacular fashion. If he returns to Suva, nothing will have been resolved. And it is inevitable that the focus will be on Ben Naliva as a potential threat to a government that has long been defying the Constitution and demonstrably poses a threat to the wellbeing of sections of the population.
It has been a very messy affair from which neither Fiji nor Australia have emerged with honour. Both sides appear to have been convinced that one of the skeletons of 2006 would remain firmly in the closet. But grievances about human rights abuses run deep and 18 years on, that skeleton has burst out in spectacular fashion to bring shame and embarrassment to the militaries and governments of both countries.
Fearless reporting, thank you for shining a light on this issue, Graham.
Thank you, Nigel, but I wonder how fearless I would be if I was in Suva, not Sydney.
The Coalition government’s commitment to media freedom is risible, as evidenced by its complaint to Meta that got me removed from Facebook and Lynda Tabuya’s complaint to Australia’s eSafety Commissioner that I did not have her consent to share the “intimate” photos she sent to Aseri Radrodro. What would happen if I was physically present in Fiji is a question I do not intend to test, having been warned at a high level to stay away.
We all hope that journalists in the mainstream Fijian media – some of whom shed tears of joy when the “draconian” media laws were repealed – finally begin to do their jobs properly. But if they can’t because there is still a genuine climate of fear, then they should at least have the courage to say so. Because as things stand, the evidence of successive important stories being ignored altogether or confined to the overseas media demonstrates that the much trumpeted “new era of media freedom” is a farce.
Perhaps you have the metrics to tell you the answer to this, but I wonder how many people (like me) who want to follow Fiji news now prioritize your site above others?
Fiji has long had an issue relating to investigative reporting in the sense that it just does not happen. But Fiji really needs its fourth estate to keep abuse of power in check. Sadly, the change over seems to have led to a greedy rush for money and power and even special deals for clients. This is deeply unfair and sets Fiji’s development back.
I have noted that you have come into the firing line for making certain people uncomfortable but all that means is you are doing your job.
“Sydney Law”, thank you for your supportive comments.
There is no way to tell whether readers are prioritising Grubsheet over other sites but since I sent out a general message here on January 17 to say I had been kicked off Facebook, I have had 200,901 “views” as at the time of writing.
It is less than I was getting on Facebook, which is to be expected having lost a captive audience able to react immediately to my postings. But given that it now takes a commitment to actually go and find me, I like to think that I am attracting readers of a higher calibre who are more discerning and are actively looking for quality content.
As you’ll appreciate, it is also highly dependent on the news cycle. Sex and drugs sell so I owe Lynda Tabuya a great deal for having me kicked off Facebook and complaining to the eSafety Commission that I didn’t have her consent to share her “intimate” images with Aseri Radrodro. It couldn’t have been a better start for the relaunch of this site.
Our mutual fondness for turtles has given Grubsheet Feejee the best possible springboard for me to rebuild an audience here free from the “nanny state” of Meta and its capricious restrictions on free expression.
I expect better of you Fiji. We are no further along than we were in 1987.
Keep up the fabulous reporting Grubsheet. Receiving information via email is enlightening and pleasing as I’m not on social media.
Vinaka!
It is difficult to report any crime during any coups. The RFMF and the Fiji Police during a civil riot were not able to uphold the law and provide safety to anyone. This same sentiment was echoed by indo-fijian women last year when Minister Tabuya demanded that women provide police reports to validate their abuse from 1987. She banged on the table and said Rabuka was the man to be their PM. Now the same man who has accepted his abuse and wrongful activities. Nevermind how the victims felt. But Tabuya, a somewhat trained lawyer, still had it in her that women could get a police report. During a civil unrest women go and hide and they stay hidden so they were not raped, beaten and abused.
This happened during all the coups as all these coup leaders were looking after themselves and hungry for power.
It is now time that Fijians learn about all coup leaders and that none of these men should be anyone’s ideal leader today and going forward. History is powerful. The army abused many. Men were dragged, beaten, and left disabled. There are many who are still alive to tell the story.
There was an era where no RFMF staff were allowed overseas. Many were blacklisted. And rightly so because of all the harm they caused. And then there is the PM of Fiji now. Walking around and giving people motivational speeches like a Saint. He is no Saint. Get that right.
The young who voted for change and voted for Rabuka and Bainimarama today have the opportunity to read from the Australian newspapers and overseas investigative journalists what all has happened in Fiji and continues to happen.
Do not be sidetracked into believing that these men are your God given gift and messiah. They are not. They have tortured and abused themselves into places of leadership and all for power. While the poor kept suffering. They are the Lord’s who carry immunity while the sidekicks today have become no one. But still around to cause more problems.
There are women in the mix here too. All carrying titles of honour. They will do anything to stay in power.
Fiji needs new leaders. A clean slate. No more coup leaders. No more army interference but a clean and healthy state of democracy. I see that hard to come by anytime soon. The country has gone backwards within a year and will continue to do so. Media freedom is dead. The journalists are responsible for that too.
Ausaid has given the RFMF millions of donor aid funds recently. I wonder if it is making RFMF a credible organisation or another coup making facility. Australians have the right to demand why their Government is investing so much in this facility. If they are investing there then they can have any coup lead as their lead today. Harm is harm. And Australia is equally responsible for investing into places of harmful leaders. Hope this sinks into Parliament debates in Australia.
Why are there so many Australian army in Fiji? They have a stronger presence than Fijian army in the public. This is not right. They are carrying our bootcamps in the name of healthy living. It is understandable to have them for humanitarian support during and after a disaster but not all the time. This behaviour and over presence is worrying.
I wish I could say there is hope. But sadly I cannot do that. Not for hardworking Fijians while these men stay in power.
Graham,
Thank you so much for keeping us informed.
Please expose the nitty gritty of how reporters and papers are bought off and/ or silenced and the details how Tabuya and company story was silenced then biased.
Is it not yet another crime to meddle in the press and what should repercussions of
that be?
Thank you.
Ben , I know you are reading this bro. Time to go back to Fiji and do what you are suppose to do. Cowards like rabuka need to be sent packing.
I agree. Come back. However……..can’t guarantee your safety. How pathetic. Did I really say that?
Sa Dina – TRC is a MUST in Fiji to end all this nonsense…With the Living God, Yahweh, nothing is impossible…
Paula, pray tell us what is TRC?
Bula Vinaka Davis,
TRC – Truth and Reconciliation Commission to end all this nonsense
I am sure you know very well what we need in Fiji to move it forward
Vinaka
Vinaka Vakalevu Mr Davis for your unbiased reporting. Being the voice of the voiceless and the fearful journalists of Fiji who got used to the 16 years of media censorship where they reached a point of not knowing what investigative journalism is.
I usually and will always resort to your website for unbiased and truthful reporting of political developments in Fiji.
GB Mr Davis.
Unfortunate and sad that the Commander seems to have joined the country’s growing list of liars. Anyway, Vinaka Vinaka Graham, as without you (and Victor too), we the masses will remain uninformed and be as tube lights, while the political mice continue to play. Fascinating too that amongst your firm and negative critics are those with links to the PR/comms sector who celebrated the acclaimed return of media freedom.
And as you will never ever walk down the Government House isle during an awards event, it is hoped that your contributions to media and national development through sound and fearless reporting, let alone local journalism capacity building, will be recognized elsewhere.
BTW, my longstanding Fiji Times pre-paid weekly order at our local shop has not been renewed this year. I wanted to move that “subscription” to the Fiji Sun but the shop does not sell that paper.
Good research Davis, keep up the excellent work – All Fijian people especially the indigenous Fijians need to follow the law of the land and end all these military abuses over the years since 1987.
I always advocated for all governments past & future since 2006 that Fiji MUST have a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to END all this nonsense (Military Rules & Dictatorship) since 1987 and move the country forward.
This can only be done through TRC so that all Fijians from 1987 to 2024 can know who was behind in all these military & civilian takeovers, and why they did it. Also, victims to be compensated – why the silence over the years by all the people who were either directly or indirectly affected?
This must be done ASAP to move our beloved country forward.
Vinakavakalevu and God Bless your family
PDR
Graham do you feel another coup is on the way?
Bula Vinaka Tinai,
I will never support treasonous acts we only need TRC to end all this nonsense.
Vinaka
Tinai, I certainly hope not. But we can hardly be confident when instead of bedding down democracy and the rule of law, the Coalition is so blatantly violating it. As I keep saying, these guys promised change for the better. Instead we have change for the worse.