7th April, 2009.

Women’s human rights group broken into

THE FIJI Women's Rights Movement office, in Suva, was broken into last Saturday in what appeared to be a targeted robbery. The unknown intruder or intruders broke in on the afternoon of 28th March and removed a digital voice recorder.

"We are concerned by this theft, as other valuables were ignored and only the recorder was taken," said FWRM Executive Director, Virisila Buadromo.

The recorder was being used in the Movement’s daily work. The theft was discovered by staff members who visited the office later that afternoon.

"We appreciate the timely response by the police, and urge them to investigate this crime and bring the perpetrators to justice," Buadromo said.

"Women human rights defenders are often targeted with different forms of intimidation because of the type of work we are engaged in – promoting respect for and protection of human rights."

Despite the break-in, the Movement is continuing with its core work, which includes young women in leadership, human rights training, monitoring the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and transitional justice for Fiji.

The Fiji Women's Rights Movement is a multi-ethnic and multicultural NGO committed to removing discrimination against women. By means of core programmes, as well as innovative approaches, the FWRM practice promotes democracy, good governance, feminism and human rights. It strives to empower, unite and provide leadership opportunities for women in Fiji, especially for emerging young leaders.

---ENDS---
Executive Director, Virisila Buadromo (679-9249906)
Communications Officer, Tara Chetty (679-9268342)