Human Rights & Democracy Movement Tonga

Statement by Mr. ‘Akilsi Pohiva (MP and HRDMT Secretary) at a roundtable meeting with Senior Australian Foreign Affairs officials

Before I go on I must make this point clear which is significant for the purpose of this meeting. That is, when I say something in this meeting, I say it on behalf of 7 People’s representatives who represent 77% of the whole people of Tonga.

Our concern as People’s representatives is basically focused on a matter of great importance, which is directly related to the operation of the government machinery in our country. Your Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Alexander Downer in his Press Release on 19 December 2003 said that the Australian Government recognizes the centrality of good governance and law and order to broaden economic development and facilitate other related areas of development. He also mentioned that Australia is supporting our economic development and public sector reform currently implemented and will continue on for few years.

In our view and experience as People’s Representatives there are fundamental democratic principles that must be put in place as an integral part of the public sector reform before any hope for improvement in our economic development could be made.

The question I wish to raise is, how can Australia support and hope for successful implementation of such a program in a government where the underlying principles of good governance is unpopular and can only be successfully implemented when and where mechanisms of checks – balances are put in place. The present government is a government of a minority. It is a government controlled and dictated by a few. The cost of having such a dictatorial regime is enormous.

Tonga is the only Polynesian country that has a big Defense force strongly supported by Australia. Big in a sense that it is fifth in the allocation of our national budget… What for? There is no threat from outside – not at all. Yet, Australia still fails to realize that our priorities are education, health and other social and humanitarian services.

In a meeting with your High Commissioner back in Tonga, I raised that human rights issues are fundamental in any discussion on important areas of development and require Australian government support. But, the usual response is that Australian policies do not allow Australia to interfere in internal affairs of other countries.

Just yesterday Senator Harris put through a notice of motion on human rights abuse in Burma. Why is Tonga left out, a country where the people have no right to have a say in running their own government? You have sent your defense people to the Solomon Islands. Isn’t that interference with the internal affairs of that country? It is hypocritical for Australia to deal with human rights abuse in Burma and ignore the violation of human rights in Tonga.

Regarding the current position of our economy, there is real concern. Just yesterday, someone from Tonga reported that our National Airline international flights had ceased operating as no more fund is available to keep it going. So far, more than T$15 million (AU$12 million) had gone to the Airline within the last two years. The King and his son, who is Prime Minister, should be held responsible for this great loss.

People’s Representatives and Cabinet advised that the proposed project of hiring of an aircraft from Brunei was not viable and unwise to operate. But the King ignored the advice and issued a Royal Command for the proposed project to go ahead.

Last, but not the least, our economy is currently going down the drain and there is no hope for recovery unless something is done to set up a more democratic government which is transparent and accountable and whereby people are given their rights to have a say in running their government.

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