Pacific contradictions - telling Fiji what to do

Without acknowledging the irony - the most likely explanation being that they simply have no comprehension of it - the so-called Eminent Persons Group has arrived in Fiji and begun investigations into the most recent Fiji coup.

The Eminent Persons Group was established by the Pacific Islands Forum in December 2006, three days before the coup, to “find a peaceful outcome” between then Prime Minister Laisenai Qarase and Commodore Frank Bainimarama, military leader and now caretaker prime minister. Post the coup, the group is now in Fiji with a focus on taking into account the current situation, where an interim government is engaged in “moving Fiji forward”.

Not a single woman figures in the Eminent Persons Group lineup. To anyone living in the 21st century, this should be an obvious omission for many reasons.

Not the least is that many wise and powerful women are a part of the Pacific nations making up the Forum. Equally obvious, Fijian women - wise and powerful themselves - have a right to know that their issues, concerns, perceptions and understandings vis-à-vis the coup, their country and the way for the future will be paid proper attention.

All Fijian women and men have a right to be assured that any so-called Eminent Persons Group, so long as it purports to exercise authority and make recommendations, has a capacity to appreciate and understand the circumstances, hopes and wishes of all Fijians. This is hardly likely with a line-up that comprises solely of men.

The Eminent Persons Group is tasked with:

• assessing the underlying causes and the nature of the overthrow of the Government of Fiji by the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces;
• assessing the prospects for appropriate resolution of the present situation in Fiji in the short and medium term and obstacles to such a resolution;
• identifying steps that the parties in Fiji may take to move swiftly and peacefully toward the restoration of democratic government, within the boundaries of Fiji’s constitution and the rule of law; and
• considering the role the Pacific Forum and its members might most usefully play in assisting Fiji to achieve this outcome.

Way back on October 31, 2000 in New York, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1325 unanimously, providing that women should be centrally involved in world and nations conflict resolution. It is the first resolution ever passed by the Security Council to specifically address the impact of war and conflict on women, and women’s contributions to conflict resolution and sustainable peace.

Women of the Pacific have played a key role in educating the region on the terms of Resolution 1325, holding workshops and forums discussing its terms and the way it can best be implemented when conflict occurs. Since 2000, Fiji’s women’s organisations have been actively addressing the terms of the resolution.

In June 2006, the Regional Workshop on Gender, Conflict, Peace and Security, held in Nadi, Fiji concluded with a strong statement on women’s rights and women’s full participation in peace and security in the region. Countries in the Pacific region, the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), regional organisations and multilateral bodies were urged to acknowledge women’s rights as human rights not only in words but by strong, consistent and consolidated action.

A recurring concern was women’s and children’s health, wellbeing and safety during conflict, the importance of women’s participation in devising and being a central part of solutions, and effective implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325. Violence against women and children (girls and boys) in the region, both in conflict and periods of non-conflict, was high on the agenda as an issue for continuing action.

It seems apparent that the Pacific Island Forum did not read the Working Group’s resolutions or simply saw them as irrelevant, destined for the filing cabinet or, worse, the rubbish bin. What other explanation can there be for such an obvious oversight in appointing not even one woman to the “Eminent Persons Group”.

Before and during the coup, Fijian women of all ages did not stand mute.

Women and young people took a prominent role in seeking to promote a peaceful resolution. On December 7, 2006, seven young women from the Emerging Leaders Forum (ELF) issued a statement calling for the rule of law and adherence to lawful processes.

These members of the ELF - a network of young women graduates of the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement ELF program - pointed out that important matters were being overlooked, such as the 35 per cent of Fijians living in poverty and the dire need for education. They highlighted the negative repercussions of powerful countries in the region imposing sanctions and withdrawing support from Fiji. Poverty would be exacerbated and education interrupted or absolutely denied by cancellation of international scholarships, programs and aid.

Meanwhile, members of the Coalition on Democracy and Peace were lobbying on issues including the implementation of a long-term strategy. Part of the proposed long-term strategy was a Presidential Commission of Inquiry to address Fiji’s history of conflicts. The proposal also sought to have the inquiry address the root causes of these conflicts to look towards positive avenues and mechanisms for resolution. The Coalition includes women of standing, intellect and good sense.

In the first week of December, a key group comprising Suliana Siwatibau, Viri Buadromo, Shamima Ali, Sharon Bhagwan Rolls and Wadan Narsey delivered the proposal to Government House, the RFMF (Republic of Fiji Military Forces) and the Prime Minister’s Office.

Sadly, the Pacific Islands Forum appears to be unaware of the Coalition on Democracy and Peace, its members, the issues they have raised and the proposal.

Yet even the UN Security Council - probably the most masculine division of the UN - is capable of seeing women in the landscape. Resolution 1325 affirms, among other matters, “the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building”. It stresses “the importance of women’s equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security, and the need to increase their role in decision-making with regard to conflict prevention and resolution”.

Is the Pacific Islands Forum listening? Is it even aware of UN Resolution 1325?

Commenting on such an obvious omission, Dr Shirley Randell, an Australian who worked for many years in the Pacific and is now working in Africa, says:

I keep being surprised, although perhaps I should not be, that Pacific women apparently still fail to make the grade for inclusion in the Eminent Persons Group in the Pacific. Perhaps all pretension should be discarded and these high level men’s privileges should be called exactly what they are: Eminent Men’s Group. What a weakness that at so many levels the Pacific still refuses to tap into the skills, expertise and wisdom of half its population.

There is, of course, another irony in all this. Australia is a prominent member of the Pacific Islands Forum - perhaps the most powerful member. In this country, we have a current prime minister who is determined not to allow anyone to become an Australian citizen unless, among other matters, they profess a belief in the “equal rights of men and women”. And yes, he consistently puts “men” ahead of “women”.

Surely if we are to assert belief in equality of women and men in this country, we cannot be a party to establishing “Eminent Persons Groups” that have no women in them? Back at the beginning of the 20th century, courts consistently held that women were not persons. Hence, women were disentitled from participating in privileges such as the right to practice law and medicine. One might have hoped that here, at the beginning of the 21st century, we had moved on.

Sadly, it appears not. In the circumstances, do we have a right - through the Pacific Islands Forum and this “Eminent Persons Group” - to tell Fiji what to do?