Banabans on Rabi Island are calling for elections to be held for the Rabi Council of Leaders.
The Banabans Human Rights Defenders Network co-ordinator, Rae Bainteiti, said not having elections for the past 11 years was tantamount to justice denied to the Banaban people.
Mr Bainteiti said the communities on the island wanted Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to deliver on his promise.
“Mr Rabuka has not visited Rabi since he came into Government,” Mr Bainteiti said.
“He should visit the island to see first-hand the challenges of the Banabans in Rabi. Our issues are minority issues, but we have a population of 5000 who need his help right now.”
In an interview, Mr Bainteiti said many people wanted an election to ensure transparency, accountability, and democracy reinstated on the island.
“An appointed administrator has been governing since the last dissolution of the Rabi Council of Leaders in 2013,” he said.
“His authority only exists because the Fiji Government has neglected the need to hold elections for the Rabi Council of Leaders.”
The human rights activists claimed they were being governed undemocratically for the past 11 years.
“We continue to call on the Office of the Prime Minister to hold elections in order for the will of the people to be represented in the governance of Rabi. According to the Banaban Settlement Act, Rabi should be governed by the Rabi Council of Leaders, which consists of two elected members from each of the four villages on Rabi, and for a chairman to be chosen by those elected representatives.”
In response, acting Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica said there was an intention to recommence the Rabi Council of Leaders elections.
However, he did not give a timeframe for the elections although he said he would get an update from relevant ministry.
