Shaggy
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While the crux of this article is about the two New Zealanders detained for questioning, and the sanctions imposed by New Zealand on Fiji continuing, the most disturbing part of this Television New Zealand article for me is the reference to the Amnesty International report regarding the use of torture on some detainees
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/nz-government-not-move-fiji-sanctions-4183943
NZ government will not move on Fiji sanctions
Published: 5:39AM Monday May 23, 2011 Source: ONE News/Newstalk ZB
It is understood two New Zealanders, businessman Anthony Fullman and surfing instructor Tim McBride, have been questioned in Fiji about Lieutenant Colonel Tevita Mara, who has fled to Tonga.
Fullman has been pulled in for questioning because phone records show he had been talking to Lieutenant Colonel Mara before he left for Tonga.
Mara escaped from a charge of sedition in Fiji last weekend, but is in Tonga under the protection of the royal family, to whom he is related.
ONE News correspondent Barbara Dreaver spoke to Mara yesterday and said he told her that it was only natural the two had talked because "they are friends".
Fullman is the former head of Fiji's Water Authority and is one of a number to be questioned over how Mara came to be in Tonga.
Fullman has had his passport confiscated.
Police said they have also spoken to surf instructor Tim McBride who is married to Mara's niece.
His family lives in Rarotonga but McBride uses an American passport because his father is from the United States.
"I am really, really concerned I am worried because I always keep in touch with my son and the last few days I tried and there was no response. My calls keep being transferred," McBride's mother Nima told ONE News.
According to the latest Amnesty International report, there's every reason to be concerned.
"Recently, we've seen politicians, union leaders and so on taken to the Queen Elizabeth barracks being physically and sexually abused and intimidated so we would be very concerned about anyone being taken in for questioning by the military," Patrick Holmes from Amnesty International said.
Mara told ONE News that people are being taken to the barracks and beaten.
"I fear for my family," he said.
"This oppressive regime has done it in the past, it's targeted people who have spoken out, it's targeted their families."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has not been contacted by any New Zealanders asking for its assistance.
Pressure on Bainimarama
Prime Minister John Key says New Zealand and Australia have been keeping the pressure on Commodore Frank Bainimarama to hold elections.
John Key says economic sanctions can last a long time before they have any great impact but have a dramatic impact on the plight of everyday citizens in that country.
Key says the government knows the travel bans are working and they frustrate the regime.
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/nz-government-not-move-fiji-sanctions-4183943
NZ government will not move on Fiji sanctions
Published: 5:39AM Monday May 23, 2011 Source: ONE News/Newstalk ZB
It is understood two New Zealanders, businessman Anthony Fullman and surfing instructor Tim McBride, have been questioned in Fiji about Lieutenant Colonel Tevita Mara, who has fled to Tonga.
Fullman has been pulled in for questioning because phone records show he had been talking to Lieutenant Colonel Mara before he left for Tonga.
Mara escaped from a charge of sedition in Fiji last weekend, but is in Tonga under the protection of the royal family, to whom he is related.
ONE News correspondent Barbara Dreaver spoke to Mara yesterday and said he told her that it was only natural the two had talked because "they are friends".
Fullman is the former head of Fiji's Water Authority and is one of a number to be questioned over how Mara came to be in Tonga.
Fullman has had his passport confiscated.
Police said they have also spoken to surf instructor Tim McBride who is married to Mara's niece.
His family lives in Rarotonga but McBride uses an American passport because his father is from the United States.
"I am really, really concerned I am worried because I always keep in touch with my son and the last few days I tried and there was no response. My calls keep being transferred," McBride's mother Nima told ONE News.
According to the latest Amnesty International report, there's every reason to be concerned.
"Recently, we've seen politicians, union leaders and so on taken to the Queen Elizabeth barracks being physically and sexually abused and intimidated so we would be very concerned about anyone being taken in for questioning by the military," Patrick Holmes from Amnesty International said.
Mara told ONE News that people are being taken to the barracks and beaten.
"I fear for my family," he said.
"This oppressive regime has done it in the past, it's targeted people who have spoken out, it's targeted their families."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has not been contacted by any New Zealanders asking for its assistance.
Pressure on Bainimarama
Prime Minister John Key says New Zealand and Australia have been keeping the pressure on Commodore Frank Bainimarama to hold elections.
John Key says economic sanctions can last a long time before they have any great impact but have a dramatic impact on the plight of everyday citizens in that country.
Key says the government knows the travel bans are working and they frustrate the regime.
