Fijian soldiers have detained the chief executive of the Fiji Daily Post for the newspaper's "defiant stance against the military". Mesake Koroi was taken to a military barracks yesterday and reportedly will only be released when the newspaper stops criticising the military and its puppet interim regime.
Of course, in a democracy, criticising the government is the right (if not the duty) of every citizen. But its clear that Fiji is no longer a democracy - instead it has been reduced to a tinpot military dictatorship.
Isn't it about time we ramped up sanctions? Requiring NZ businesses to get clearance before dealing with Fiji would be a start - and only allow transactions that don't benefit the military and their supporters. Stopping Air NZ flying to Suva would be another.
ReplyDeleteGiven the deteriorating economic situation in Fiji right now, sanctions (other than banning Fijian military members from NZ) are probably moot.
ReplyDeleteM'lud
"Of course, in a democracy, criticising the government is the right (if not the duty) of every citizen."
ReplyDeleteThat obviously does not apply to NZ otherwise we would have repealed the sedition laws.
SG