The Fiji Women's Rights Movement has slammed a news report which attacked a female MP.
Mereseini Vuniwaqa. Photo: Supplied/Fiji govt
A report by the Fiji Sun last week has been criticised for being a smear campaign against the outgoing Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mereseini Vuniwaqa.
The report, which used photos of the MP close to another person to make lurid suggestions about her private life, also suggests her ties with strong pro-indigenous advocate, Varinava Tiko are part of the reason for her resignation.
Furthermore, the report claims Vuniwaqa did not support controversial proposed amendments to the iTaukei Land Trust Act.
The women's rights group said the report was unethical and breached the Media Code of Ethics and Practice.
Support for Vuniwaqa was also forthcoming from the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre whose coordinator, Shamima Ali said the minister was instrumental in bringing together Civil Society Organizations and elevating women's rights.
Ali said Vuniwaqa's resignation was a shock and a huge loss for the country.
Media reports last month said Vuniwaqa was about to resign as she was applying for the role of executive director of UN Women.
Acting police chief resigns
Fiji's Deputy Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu last week tendered his resignation to the Commissioner of Police Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho.
Tudravu acted as Commissioner of Police over a 12-month period while Commissioner Qiliho was away on overseas studies in the United Kingdom.
The news outlet Fiji Village reports that after handing over to Qiliho, Tudravu decided to tender his resignation marking the end of his 39 years of service having reached the office of the Deputy Commissioner upon his retirement.
In recent weeks, the police have taken in several leading opposition politicians and former prime ministers for questioning in relation to their criticism of the Fiji First government's proposed land legislation amendments.
Tudravu told media the questioning was being conducted under the Public Order Act.
