By okaili | 8 Comments
Last updated: Thursday, November 30, 2006

An executive summary report of abuse and torture of prisoners by the Tongan Government following the riots that occurred on November 16, 2006. Report issued by the NCWC (National Center for Women and Children).

Disclaimer: Report contains graphic images. May not be appropriate for all ages.

National Centre for Women and Children
P.O Box 2920
Nuku’alofa, Kingdom of Tonga
E: cwctonga@kalianet.to
T: (+676) 78972

CommentSubscribe

1. Seta Tanaki
   November 30, 2006
   

   I’m sure these people are abused in prison by soldiers or “peace officers” that are not related to them. ‘Umu po’uli kae ‘iai ho’ota. I’m sure they wouldn’t beat their little brothers or their neighbors’ kids no matter what they would do. Or may be if these kids were of “Noble Blood” they wouldn’t be beaten in fact, they would just call their “Noble Fathers” to get them out.

   Am I blessed to be in this GREAT LAND where I’m given endless opportunities…I’m treated the same as anybody else. Too bad…”The Australians and New Zealanders treat the Tongans better than the Tongans do”…This article reminds me of Iraq and Sadam Hussein…brutality and all….I thought we are big hearted people but I guess I’m wrong. The damage is done; beating up the kids won’t fix anything, but I guess; that’s all they’re (Soldiers & “Peace Officers) taught in their trainings in Tonga…”beat them up when they do something wrong”. Or may be they haven’t heard of People’s “Rights” yet.

   We’re in a different century now; come out of the Darkness…there are other options out there…beating is not the solution anymore.
   I hope this mess will end soon for our families’ sake. May you all have a Merry X-mas and a very Peaceful New Year.

   Seta Tanaki

   Leave a reply
2. Daisa
   December 1, 2006
   

   This report of abuse & torture of the prisoners is very disturbing, it’s so sad. The way the prisoners are treated is sickening. They deserve to be punished but not this, they are not animals, they are human beings.

   Something has to be done, this has to stop.

   Mary Manukia

   Leave a reply
3. rosy marie
   December 1, 2006
   

   These prisoners endangered a lot of lives including relatives of mine whose personal home was burned down. My relatives were personally threatened for some time including burning down of their own personal home. These rioters did not take a moment to think of the innocent children and all involved for 1 second; all they could think of was ‘destroy’ and nothing more.

   The sleepless nights I have encountered while waiting for a phone line to open up in Tonga so I can account for everyone was terrifying. A broken heart and soul and emotional scars of what could have been will terrorize my life forever. They are lucky to be alive but if they did not make it; I would not have had the chance to say goodbye, to give one last hug nor one last look. I could not have had the chance to hold a niece or a nephew and let them know I do exist as their aunt. Not a chance! Worst of all; I could have attended a funeral of not one but many - all of my own blood.

   There are families out there like me that have a lost loved one perished in the fire in Nuku’alofa, jobless, homeless, and will never get to feel the normalcy and joy of life they once encountered.

   Again, did these rioters take a step back to think of innocent children that will forever bear the aftermatch of their decisions? No! They never thought of anyone but themselves. The parents, sisters, brothers, children out there who never had a chance to say it all out for one last time does not have that opportunity any more.

   Though they are in prison, they are still alive and may still get a second chance in life. But those that perished and their families did not have a chance to say goodbye and tell each other for the one last time of how they feel. There was no chance for an expression or a goodbye. I’m sure it hurts and I hope that at some point in this life they will heal.

   I could never understand why these prisoners did what they did; and right now I am wishing to see the images of those that really suffered and deserved the sympathy instead.

   rosy marie

   Leave a reply
4. puleono-i-salafai
   December 1, 2006
   

   I have a feeling that the reports from the released prisoners have been a little exaggerated here and there to make it sound worse…ka ko hono taa koia ‘o nautolu..mahalo ‘oku sai pe ia…he ‘oku ma’u pe ‘a e fua ‘a ‘enau ngaue kovi na’e fai..’oku te utu pe ‘a e me’a na’a te too! What annoys me however is the part about the prisoner’s rations..the report makes it out that they are’nt getting enough..half a loaf of bread and some tinned fish sounds pretty bloody good to me!…especially since they tried to put most of the stores out of business..why should they be fed at all! I only wish that ‘Akilisi and his men would be in that same prison too..experiencing some of the torture!
   Athol GReentree

   Leave a reply
5. puleono-i-salafai
   December 1, 2006
   

   oooh…forgot to add in my last comment..that these prisoners are eating for free!…yes they are eating for free while the people who suffered from the rioter’s actions on the day..not only have to deal with their losses but also they are having to pay high prices for goods now…this report is a joke! Also, the claims that a massacre of the prisoners was only narrowly missed is kinda like making a mountain out of a mole hill..if prisoners break down doors and are trying to escape …again using their large number (just as they did on 16/11) to overpower and threaten the law ..then they have to be shot to stop them from running away and causing further damage…what do the writers of this report want??? for the police and soldiers just to stand there and let the people..oops I mean the prisoners/criminals..walk away freely…imagine that they break down the prison door and the soldiers say..ei..te mou ‘alu moutolu? as if they were saying goodbye to guests leaving their home!!!I think Rosie Marie hit the nail on the head…these prisoners are criminals..so lets not put sympathy in the wrong place!
   Athol GReentree

   Leave a reply
6. moiangaha
   December 1, 2006
   

   ‘Oku ou ki’i hoha’a'ia he fa’ahinga ‘oku nau poupou ki he faka’ii’ii kuo fakae’a mai ‘o felave’i moe kau popula’.

   Koe me’a lelei pe koe ‘ikai koe ngaahi ‘aho ‘eni ‘o Felo mo Sisa’ he na’atau mei toki sio he me’a malie ‘i he ngaahi tautea ne meimei fakahoko ki he tu’a ‘oe vale.

   ‘Oku ‘i ai e kupu’i lea ‘oku pehe “HILI E UIPII KIHE TU’A ‘OE VALE” ‘oku ‘uhinga ia koe tautea ma’ama’a taha ki he vale’ koe faka-tokoto e uipii’ he tu’a’ pea toho’i ke ‘ilonga pea he’ikai ke toe ngalo mei he fa’ahinga ‘oku muimui atu mei mui’.

   Kuo tuku mai e ngaahi ‘ata ‘oe ngaahi mamulu moe makohi ‘oe matu’a ko ‘eni’, ka na’e totonu ke ‘omai ha ngaahi ‘ata ‘oe si’i kau tangata ‘e fitu nenau pakupaku ‘ohua he vela’.

   ‘Oku ‘i ai e ‘ofa lahi ki he ngaahi famili ko ‘eni kuo mofia honau ngaahi ‘ofa’anga’ he ‘oku hange ‘oku fai e faka-mamafa’ ki he makohi’ moe mamulu’ kae si’i tuku paea pe si’i kau Pekia’.

   ‘Oku ou kole atu ki he kau fai ongoongo ke ta’ofi hono tuku mai ‘oe ngaahi ‘ata maumau taimi’ he ‘oku tau ngalivale kotoa pe ai. Kuo fakamahino mai ‘oku faka’ofa ange e kau fai hia kuo paa’i pe tuki’i honau honau la’e’ ‘i he ngaaahi famili Siaina moe ‘Initia ne faka’auha ‘enau ngaahi pisinisi pea moe si’i famili ‘e lau ngeau kuo mole ‘enau ma’u'anga mo’ui’

   Malo pe mu’a e tauhi fonua ka ‘oku totonu ketau fakapotopoto ‘i hono fakahokohoko ‘etau ngaahi fiema’u ‘o kamata pe mei he me’a ‘oku mahu’inga ‘o a’u ki he ngaahi me’a noa’ia’.

   Ko e founga ‘eni na’e ngaue’aki ‘e ‘Akilisi’ pea ‘oku totonu ketau tali ‘aki pe ‘a e founga tatau.

   “KAVA KUO HEKA”

   Siosaia Moimoiangaha

   Leave a reply
7. DAC13
   December 5, 2006
   

   {Please forgive my Simple Comments to SUCH Complicated problems)

   I love every polynesian Gene in body including the Violent ones, I understand the Head Line of the article comes off distasteful when you read Prisoners being Beaten by Officers. I understand that today Violence isn’t in Fashion now a days, but if the Beatings were given to Polynesians BY Polynesians, I’m trust the officers showed restraint in teaching our youth a good leason in Polynesian manners. I don’t want to attack a part of our culture that deny’s who we are and how POLYNESIANS deal with CERTAIN situations, a fist is still better than a Gun. There is no issue here, and making it appear that there is one, gives bad impression about “THE TONGAN WAY.”

   Tevita Lea’ena

   Leave a reply
8. Kisione Taufa
   January 8, 2007
   

   I feel sorry for “torture” vitums who went through the pains and being presented by NCWC here.

   Are we going to dig deep or mourn about matters on the surfaces?

   Alternatively, for the sake of public debates :

   Would be a better options to use advance methods to obtain information from criminals?

   OR

   We just restrict finding those who were captured?

   Kisione

   Leave a reply