The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Thugs Rule in Fiji

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Religious repression comes in many forms. The usual military thug has seized power in Fiji and is upset that religious people dare oppose his rule. So religion as well as politics is being suppressed.

Reports Fiji Today:

The Fiji government has extended the ban on the Methodist Church's annual conference to its divisional and quarterly meetings. Only monthly "parish" meetings are allowed with restrictions.

Government spokesman and permanent secretary for Information, Lieutenant-Colonel Neumi Leweni said the decision was made following a meeting between a church delegation and Commissioner of Police, Commodore Esala Teleni this week.

Reverend Tevita Nawadra, said the extension of the ban was brought about as a result of claims by the Police Commissioner, Commodore Esala Teleni, at their meeting last week, that some Methodist Church Ministers, some members and former SDL Ministers, were intending to set up a new political party.

However, Nawadra said no evidence was given to this effect especially the names of the Ministers and members of the Church who are supposedly part of this set up. He has still not been told the names of those previously accused of spying for the government.

Lt-Col Leweni said the only meeting that the church is now allowed to hold is its monthly meeting, which he said specifically, focuses on the spiritual development of the church and not be involved in discussions of outside or fundraising.

"Meetings to do with issues other than the spiritual development are being suspended as of today," he said.

It's obvious that history hasn't ended in the Mideast. It looks like history hasn't even ended in the south Pacific.

View all comments (5) | Leave a comment

jk| 2.13.10 @ 5:09PM

Very disappointing what is going on in Fiji, but do bear in mind that today's armed "thug" siezed power from another thug who was the hand-picked successor to the previous leader or an armed revolt who just happened to have a lot of backing from the Methodist denomination. So the church had politicized itself and militarized itself in Fiji long before the military and the politicians started suppressing it. Ultimately, a militarized church is not a good thing either militarily or spiritually

Alan Brooks| 2.13.10 @ 8:04PM

Church and State are being separated in Fiji.

The hard way.

Nitin| 2.14.10 @ 12:01AM

As a former Fiji Citizen we are in a better place with a military controlled government(thugs). Better than the former regime (SDL) which was characterized by Fraud, Corruption and Racicsm and they also pulled a Bush during the elections which greatly affected the turnout which led to the military taking power. I do not agree with foreful removal of government but i do believe and majority Fiji citizens believe it will be for the better. And as for Austrailia and New Zealand see how supportive they have been in accepting this new rule.

Crystal| 2.15.10 @ 7:40AM

Nitin you sound just like the illegal Attorney General in Fiji, Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum, you also sound like the 2 Shamima cunning sisters, and the only Al Qaeda in Fiji, col. Aziz Mohammed. How can an illegal Military Government controlled be a better thing for Fiji, as you say.

The SDL fraud as you say, the corruption and Racism has not been proven today. Although, Bainimarama's illegal take over was proven by the 3 judges as an illegal take over from the SDL Government. Australia and New Zealand are not bowing down to an illegal government Yaarrr !