THE role of the military during the COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji “explains the continuing democratic fragility” in the country, says the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA).
The organisation’s recently issued “Global State of Democracy” report examined the performance of governments around the world in the COVID-19 pandemic era.
“The political role played by the military partly explains the continuing democratic fragility that characterises some countries in the region (Bangladesh, Fiji, Myanmar, Pakistan and Thailand),” stated the report.
For the Asia-Pacific region, the report stated the pandemic response had relied heavily on the role of security forces.
“This phenomenon has two major impacts: an increased role for the military and police forces in what is, in fact, a public health emergency; and policies that distance or effectively remove the military from civilian and legislative oversight.
“Overall, there is a strong likelihood of the military’s increased role outlasting the pandemic itself. In all these countries (Bangladesh, Fiji, Myanmar, Pakistan and Thailand), historically, military forces have played a pivotal role in politics, either as elected or unelected members of the legislature and controllers of government ministries and authorities or by alternately.”
The report recommended reforms to ensure civilian control of the military and the security sector’s compliance with human rights principles and practices and a clear separation of reciprocal responsibilities.
“This aspect requires oversight and accountability, via parliamentary and independent bodies, broadly representative of the population,” the report read.
