Friday, 30 October 2009
-
United Nations WTF
The United Nations is well placed to play a more proactive role in resolving the impasse in Fiji but it must learn to apply its own principles and standards to itself.
That was the message an audience in Tauranga got last night from Ema Tagicakibau from the Pacific Concerns Resource Centre in Fiji.
She was the last speaker in a series of UN-organised lectures that began at the Bongard Centre at the start of the month.
Ms Tagicakibau was unable to present the lecture personally because of work commitments but her paper was read out and she was available by phone link to answer questions.
She said it was ironic that 2000 coup leader George Speight was jailed for the very same crime that allowed current Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama to travel to the UN every year for the past three years to address the UN General Assembly.
"So, when is a coup acceptable? When it is carried out by the head of the military? When it is about indigenous rights? When it is about bringing about a 'race-less' society as espoused by the current regime? When it is sanctioned by local elites, whoever they are?" Ms Tagicakibau asked.
"Where are the high ideals and democratic principles that are the cornerstone of the United Nations?
"When are the so-called international human rights law and international humanitarian law applied to those who inflict crimes against humanity?
"When and where do the democratic values as espoused by United Nations instruments and principles apply?"
Ms Tagicakibau said the UN must strictly enforce a code of conduct for troops from contributing countries who risked being debarred from participation in peace-keeping missions if their Governments were undemocratic or unconstitutional.
"Fiji needs the income from peacekeeping so this is a big hold by the UN."
She said one of the greatest ironies of UN peacekeeping was that some of the biggest troop contributing countries were or had been under military regimes such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Fiji.
Waikato University at Tauranga hosted the series of weekly lectures each Wednesday of October, organised by the Tauranga branch of the United Nations Association.
NZHLD 10-29-09
-
email
- sent 0
