Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SUVA143
2008-04-15 02:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Suva
Cable title:
FIJI POLICE ARREST TIBET PROTESTERS
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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
-------
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
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