EI has launched an urgent appeal for action to its member and partner organisations on 3 September to engage their help in appealing against the dismissal of the president of the Fijian Teachers' Association (FTA) Tevita Koroi.
Koroi was dismissed from his position as principal by the Fijian Public Service Commission earlier in April for allegedly breaching the country's public service code of conduct. The accusation was based on a statement Koroi made in December 2008 in his capacity of trade union leader, calling for a co-ordinated campaign to return Fiji to parliamentary rule.
Fiji is currently ruled by an interim goverment after a military coup in 2006 led by military chief Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama seized power from the democratically-elected government. Commodore Bainimarama is currently the interim Prime Minister.
EI considers the dismissal of Tevita Koroi a deliberate act to hinder the activities of the FTA, constituing a violation of Koroi’s freedom of expression, and of the FTA’s right to freedom of association.
Please support the FTA by signing the online appeal: www.ei-ie.org/fiji