THE Internationl Labour Organisation (ILO) is prepared to
provide both human and financial assistance to Fiji, says ILO
special representative to Fiji, Dr Ian Chambers.
"Fiji has every right to call ILO to assist it get back to
normalcy," Dr Chambers said yesterday. He said the trade
unions had acted with great responsibility when they called for
the trade bans. "It can be seen as a blunt instrument but they
have acted very responsibly."
Dr Chambers said the ILO had expressed its indignation and
outrage towards the kidnapping of democratically elected
Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry and his Cabinet. Dr
Chambers said racism is being cynically and dangerously
manipulated to destroy the tolerant and democratic values of
which Fiji was a model in international community.
"Internationally recognised human rights are first to be
respected and then traditional indigenous rights.
"ILO Convention No.169 ratified by Fiji clearly states that
indigenous people are seen as having the highest respect,
dignity, values, beliefs and practices in all matters, but in
adopting the convention, members of the ILO stipulate that no
indigenous rights , traditions and practices shall be invoked in
alleged justification for violation and derogation of
internationally recognised human rights" Dr Chambers said.
Dr Chambers who is also a constitutional lawyer condemned
the abrogation of the 1997 constitution.
"It is not possible at law to justify the abrogation of the
constitution through any other any process. It can only be
abrogated through legal means. It has been attempted to be
abrogated through illegal means, mainly by the force of arms
and it is not an acceptable process. The international community will always
reject changes brought about
by the force of arms.
Fiji's Daily Post
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