Fiji Judge gets visitor visa after hullaballoo

A judge of the Fiji High Court was granted a three-month visitor visa by Immigration New Zealand to enable her 20-month old child an emergency operation but not before denial leading to a Fiji Government protest.

Judge Anjala Wati and her husband Agni Deo arrived in Auckland on October 26 and immediately admitted their son Kartik at the Starship Hospital where prior arrangements had been made for the surgery.

It is understood that Immigration New Zealand had initially declined her visa application citing Wellington’s ban on travel of Fiji Government officials to New Zealand, following the December 5, 2006 coup and establishment of an interim government by Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama.

Since then, a number of officials of the Government have been denied entry into this country, including Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited (FBCL) Chairman Yaminiasi Gaunavou who was required in Auckland to sign a lucrative business deal (Indian Newslink, September 1, 2009).

Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum described the earlier denial as inhuman.

“Ms Wati was advised in an undignified and disrespectful manner that her visa application was rejected because she had taken up a position as a judge on the High Court of Fiji.

“Such interference by a neighbouring State in the Fijian judiciary is unacceptable by any world standard,” he said.

“My Government had long realised that protestations or claims of unending friendship and of acting only in Fiji’s best interests by its neighbours have been hollow and meaningless.

“Though we do not accept travel bans placed upon anyone in the Cabinet, the public service or the Military, a distinction is always to be drawn between the executive and the judiciary and other independent institutions.

“These institutions are separate and are independent of the executive, and should be so respected as an international norm,” he said.

Immigration New Zealand Chief Executive Andrew Annakin denied the charges.

“New Zealand maintains travel restrictions against certain people following the 2006 coup. But we have consistently shown flexibility where humanitarian, medical or compassionate grounds have been substantiated,” he said.