Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) co-ordinator Shamima Ali says she will never forget the events of Christmas Eve 2006 when six human rights campaigners were taken at gunpoint to the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua.
“I remember getting a call from a colleague of mine, Virisila Buadromo, saying the military was there to take her away,” she said.
Ms Ali said she also received calls the same night from six other human rights campaigners including Miss Buadromo’s partner, youth activists Pita Waqavonovono, Jackie Koroi, Laisa Digitaki and Imraz Iqbal.
“I saw them being marched out with guns at their backs and being followed by another truck.
“We followed them down the road and tried to negotiate for their release and eventually they were let go but that night I will never forget.” She said the way they were mistreated by the military was something that would forever remain etched in her memory.
“I’ve been through the 1987 coup and 2000 was another frightening time, but not as frightening as the last 16 years have been.
“I will never forget that day. We couldn’t even hold people accountable.
“I remember this day and today (Sunday) we ousted the very people who have committee those crimes on our young people.”
Ms Ali said with the swearing-in of the People’s Alliance, National Federation Party and Social Democratic Liberal Party coalition government, Fiji had reclaimed its human rights and the people of Fiji “are free”.
“Now we can move forward with the new government with new changes for the betterment of all the people of Fiji.
“We can move forward as Fiji citizens together regardless of whoever we are and we can hold Government accountable without vindication, without revenge.
“As someone who has struggled over the last 16 years — demanding accountability, demanding women’s rights and demanding an end to all kinds of violation of human rights — I am very happy and I look forward to the future of Fiji.”
