FIJI POLICE ARREST TIBET PROTESTERS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SUVA 000143 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL FJ CH SUBJECT: FIJI POLICE ARREST TIBET PROTESTERS This cable is sensitive but unclassified. Handle accordingly. Summary -------------- ¶1. (U) Fiji police arrested 17 NGO human rights activists who took part in a silent protest across the street from the Chinese embassy in Suva April 10. No charges have been laid. Several NGOs have questioned police grounds for breaking up a peaceful demonstration. The Chinese Embassy condemned the protests and praised the police for taking action against the protestors. End Summary. Tibet Protesters Arrested at Chinese Embassy -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Fiji police arrested 17 human rights activists taking part in a silent vigil across the street from the Chinese Embassy in Suva April 10. The protestors were held for several hours and then released. Although no charges have yet been laid, police told the protesters they were being investigated for assembling in a public place without a permit, in violation of Fiji's Public Order Act. ¶3. (SBU) A member of the Fiji Women's Right Movement who was among those arrested told us the Thursday protest was the latest in a series of low-key actions mounted over the last three weeks to show solidarity with protesters in Tibet. The previous actions took the form of small peace vigils held each week at Suva's Anglican Cathedral. Even Silent Vigil Not Acceptable -------------- ¶4. (U) The protesters stood in small groups so as not to block the sidewalk, carried no placards and remained silent in hopes of avoiding a police crackdown. An initial group of five protesters was arrested by police about 45 minutes after the protest began. Soon after, a second group of eight protesters, including Fiji Human Rights Commissioner and 2007 Women of Courage nominee Shamima Ali, arrived. Two members of the second group sported T-shirts with "Free Tibet" slogans, but the group again maintained silence and avoided obstructing the footpath. They were arrested by police after about 45 minutes. Shortly thereafter, a third contingent of four protesters arrived and was quickly taken into custody. According to the protesters, Chinese embassy staff photographed them during the demonstration. Contacts believe the embassy called in the police. Police on Good Behavior -------------- ¶6. (SBU) At police headquarters, the 17 detainees were questioned in groups of three in the presence of legal counsel. No one was formally charged, though police left open that possibility. Ali noted to the media that the detainees had been treated well. According to a contact within the Fiji Women's Rights Movement, the Police have not yet followed up. Arrests Condemned -------------- ¶7. (U) A number of NGOs, one union leader and a few public figures, including the head of the Citizens' Constitutional Forum and the Ecumenical Centre for Research, Education and Advocacy, publicly condemned the arrests. Several critics had earlier decried interim Prime Minister Bainimarama's letter of support to the PRC Government after the March 10 crackdown in Tibet. The police defended their actions, citing the protesters' failure to apply for a permit and the need to protect diplomatic personnel. Chinese Fire Back -------------- ¶8. (U) In a media statement, the Chinese Embassy condemned the protest, repeating Beijing's line that the March crackdown in Tibet was the result of deliberate provocation by the "Dalai Clique" and "separatist forces, for 'Tibet Independence' both within and outside China acting in collusion." "The vicious purpose for the Dalai clique in doing this is to make trouble at such a sensitive time, even cause bloodshed, so as to exert pressure on the Chinese government, disturb the Beijing Olympic Games and undermine China's peace and harmony as well as the stability and development in Tibet." Comment -------------- SUVA 00000143 002 OF 002 ¶9. (SBU) Public protest in Fiji is uncommon. In the wake of the December 2006 coup, such protests have been rarer, rapidly ending in arrests. The police response to the Tibet protest surprised no one. The low-key approach taken by the police may reflect sensitivity in the aftermath of far harsher responses following the coup plus an expectation that the Tibet issue would draw international attention. Tibetan political rights do not have a wide following in Fiji. However, the local human rights community, harassed and suppressed by the interim government, seemingly saw an opportunity to express solidarity with colleagues abroad and, thereby, to highlight yet again their home-grown concerns. End Comment. DINGER