Fiji Methodist Leaders Appear in Court, Pleaded Not Guilty

Friday, Aug. 14, 2009 Posted: 11:56:38AM HKT

Nine Methodist Church leaders in Fiji appeared in court had pleaded not guilty to charges of breaching Public Emergency Regulations. They are released on bail but are forbidden to preach, speak in public or meet with each other.

Fiji Live reported that the nine leaders, including the Church’s President, Revd Ame Tugaue, and General Secretary, Revd Tuikilakila Waqairatu, appeared in Suva Magistrate court Tuesday will appear again for a full hearing on 24 September.

The Methodist leaders were arrested last month and were charged with participating in a church meeting in contravention of the regulations.

The Fiji Methodist Church had been involved in a stand-off with the government over the holding of its annual conference which usually happens in August each year, but has since backed down, saying the meeting will now not go ahead for fear of more arrests.

The church’s solicitor is in negotiation with the police and the Fijian Government to relax the conditions for the next bail period.

The negotiations are proceeding with the police concerning an administrative meeting planned for 31 August. Currently the Government insists that only ordained ministers (excluding the arrested leaders) should be allowed to attend, but the Church say it cannot go ahead without the lay people.

The Fijian Methodist Church’s deputy general secretary, the Rev Tevita Bainavanua, expressed his frustration this Thursday during a monitored phone call to Britain saying, “We can talk about Jerusalem and Galilee but not Fiji!”

He insisted that “We are telling our people not to do anything to worsen the situation.”

Fiji’s interim government action against the Church leadership has been heavily criticized by the Church partner in Oceania and around the world.

Steve Pearce, World Church Partnership Coordinator for the Methodist Church in Britain said; “It is clear that the military government is active in the life of the courts. Where police actions contradict court decisions, the courts are reluctant to assert themselves”.

“Negotiation and dialogue are difficult in these circumstances but the Church is clear in its wish to avoid confrontation,” he added.

The Church says it continues to work and worship despite the repressive situation. Traditional choir festivals will go ahead as planned, beginning on 22nd August, although no national festivals will take place.

Fiji Methodist Church is the biggest and most powerful Church in Fiji counts 329,759 members out of a little less than a million Fijians estimated population, according to Aseri Vakaloloma, the defense counsel of the Church leaders.

The standoff is likely to continue for another five years. Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama who heads the interim administration since a bloodless military coup in December 2006 despite strong international objections, has since ruled out democratic elections before 2014.

Derick Ho
CP Asia Correspondent