It looks very much as if the allegations of human rights abuses against Colonel Ben Naliva – the RFMF officer appointed Deputy Commander of the Australian Army’s 7th Brigade – are going to have to be tested at a formal inquiry, judging from comments to an Australian parliamentary hearing by the Chief of the Australian Defence Force.
General Angus Campbell said that Colonel Naliva was entitled to the presumption of innocence, while claiming that he was appointed without the ADF knowing about the allegations against him and acknowledging that its vetting processes were deficient.
Will it be the Australian or Fijian governments, or both, that set up an inquiry to examine the evidence against Ben Naliva by the former politician, Sam Speight, the youth activist, Pita Waqavonovono and the “Suva businessman”, Ben Padarath, that have been detailed in The Australian newspaper and elsewhere? Or will the current re-evaluation of the appointment by the ADF result in Naliva being dropped and sent home? Or will Naliva decide himself that it is all too hard, that an inquiry will resurrect skeletons that are best left undisturbed, and quietly decide to walk away?
The ADF Chief’s statement suggests that this isn’t going to be resolved quickly. Because short of an official inquiry that clears Ben Naliva of the allegations against him – including that he tried to shove a riffle barrel up Sam Speight’s anus – it’s hard to see how he can be “presumed innocent”. And while he remains commanding Australian troops, this entire debacle is going to remain an embarrassment for both governments.
There is nothing as presumption of innocence when it is clear through the written experiences of individuals about his gross crime against humanity.
ADF Campbell is sleeping on the job.
Australian taxpayers need to know why are we investing so much in Fiji’s Army. Millions and millions every year. Why is it our duty to invest in an army well known for the coup leaders since 1987? We are clearly seen as creating an institution that breeds questionable leaders who are known for their abuse of the everyday citizens of Fiji. Australians need to rethink their donor investments into RFMF.
Don’t deny him the human rights that you demand.
He remains innocent until proven guilty.
The UN Special Rep Report only contains one side of the story. Only one person named him but that person’s role post-2006 coup is also questionable since he was the runner that transported cash between manufacturing companies and QEB on Fridays at the instruction of Roko Ului. The owners of garment factories in Suva should open up about their duress in exchange for cash for Friday pick up. Which is the worst evil? The others, in this report, don’t name him. How can you infer blame?
Besides, this officer has served in various capacities regionally and internationally and there was no report of any such abuse. If you are damn sure that he is guilty, provide more evidence to convince us.
On the issue of Australian AID toward the RFMF, it appears that you have very little understanding of geopolitics and the role of security in the region and internationally. Would you rather Fiji pivot towards China? Or would you rather Fiji implode? Who suffers and who benefits? Think before you post of the innocent Fijians who will suffer either way.
Fijians suffered more under Rabuka than China. I still don’t see you making any reference to coup holders who carried out mutinies and abused so many.
Yes, Australian taxpayers have the right to know why our money is invested in RFMF where abuse has flourished and there has been a complete disregard to Fiji’s Constitution recently.
If Australia wants diplomacy and long term bilateral relationship then Australia needs to show commitment in better ways and not showering millions in every activity. Name one Ministry in Fiji where Australia has not invested in. Ausaid is like an open book and everywhere. Ausaid has overtaken Fiji. Can you tell us why Australian army is running bootcamps for everyday Fijians when Fiji army itself doesn’t?
Just because regional security matters doesn’t mean Australia takes over. We need to step back and learn that there were violation of rights and abuse inflicted and these are documented. Just like it is documented for the current Prime Minister of Fiji who hides under an immunity. Again, no one talks about him but gives him a red carpet welcome in Australia.
Do you know that there was a period where RFMF officials were banned from entering Australia and New Zealand? Had nothing to do with China. It was because of their abuse on ordinary citizens of Fiji.
The last time I also checked China was a big part of the Pacific. And Chinese have had a long term relationship in the Pacific too.
Any enquiry has to start from 1987 and this officer should not be used as a scapegoat. The abuse in 1987 even took place in the altar at the Centuary Church in Suva against senior Ministers of the Church who refused to support the military takeover.
On documentation, the allegations appear in a book of a former PM, and a UN report but is it not proper documentation? Human rights dictate that the officer be given the right to defend the allegations. The Australian Senator relies heavily on the UN Report but does the Australia Senate know that the complainant was part of a team that harrassed the manufacturing industry post-2006 coup for large amounts of cash every Friday? Or that the complainant deprived young Christian women of Fiji, the largest faith-based group, of a building they owned in Lautoka by selling it to Punja and keeping the proceeds of the sales?
Australia is the largest donor country in Fiji. It has been a pre-1987 coup. But given our debt levels, we either take donor money or borrow. Donor money comes with conditions but the conditions are not adverse to nation-building as it relates to accountability, transparency, gender equality, and human rights. These conditions can only strengthen our country. China on the other hand can not match what Australians give in aid but we can always borrow from their banks. Which would you prefer? Would you prefer that generations of Fijians have to work to pay off debts owed to banks or that they have a chance of living in a country with strong values and systems in place?
The Australian travel policy against RFMF soldiers post-2006 coup also included family members, siblings, and immediate family. NZ had the same policy in place. The policy not only affected the officers but also their siblings and immediate family. However, we were allowed to appeal the ban with evidence that we had no hand to play in the coup. At least, Australia and NZ, dealt with us humanely. My visa got rejected but upon appeal, I was allowed to travel.
China is geographically far from Fiji as compared to Australia. It has strategic influence in the Pacific and we have a small Chinese community but are they part of the Pacific?
This man has a history in clear daylight.
But now it has to come to an end and he can no longer hide.The Fijian government need to be held accountable as they have denied everything about this man and fully supported him for ADF post knowing very well the history of this man.
All these coup makers need to held accountable and thrown into jail for as long as they live.