2000 Fijian coup d'état

Coup that overthrew Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry December 2016 August 2024 2000 Fijian coup d'état the Fiji coups Fiji 19 May 2000 – 1 March 2001(05 19 2000 03 01 2001) Coup partially successful Coup leaders charged Mahendra Chaudhry resigns as Prime Minister, with Tevita Momoedonu replacing him for just several minutes Laisenia Qarase becomes Prime Minister following a victory at the 2001 election Fiji Republic of Fiji Military Forces Police Indigenous Fijian rebels Fijian Army Mutineers CRWU Fiji Kamisese MaraFiji Mahendra ChaudhryFiji Ratu Tevita MomoedonuFiji Frank BainimaramaFiji Laisenia QaraseFiji Josefa Iloilo George SpeightTimoci SilatoluShane Stevens Unknown Unknown 3 soldiers killed1 policeman killed 4 killed Hundreds of properties ransacked. Fiji-0050.JPG The burnt out remains of Govinda's Restaurant in Suva: over 100 shops and businesses were ransacked in Suva's central business district on 19 May. The 2000 Fijian coup d'état was a civilian coup d'état by an armed group of indigenous Fijian nationalists supported by the Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit, against the elected government of Indo-Fijian Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, on 19 May 2000. This was followed by President Kamisese Mara's attempt to assert executive authority on 27 May. Mara would resign under duress on 29 May, handing power to Frank Bainimarama, a commander of the Fijian military. The coups resulted in the removal of the elected government and its replacement by an interim regime headed by Josefa Iloilo. In March 2001, the Court of Appeal of Fiji ruled that the coups and interim regime were illegal. An elected government was finally restored by the 2001 Fijian general election. George Speight, the leader of the coup, was convicted of treason and sentenced to death. The sentence was commuted to life imprisonment, and on 18 September 2024, he was pardoned by Fiji's Mercy Commission.https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/fiji-coup-leader-george-speight-released-after-pardon-2024-09-19/ Fiji coup leader George Speight released after pardon Reuters 19 September 2024 24 December 2024 Background The 1999 Fijian general election saw a resounding victory for the People's Coalition, a multiracial grouping of the Fiji Labour Party, Fijian Association Party, National Unity Party and Christian Democratic Alliance.http://pimrisregional.library.usp.ac.fj/gsdl/collect/jps/index/assoc/HASHde27.dir/doc.pdf The 1999 Fiji election and the legacy of history Journal of Pacific Studies 25 1 2001 6 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20220720012335/http://pimrisregional.library.usp.ac.fj/gsdl/collect/jps/index/assoc/HASHde27.dir/doc.pdf 20 July 2022 The coalition won 54 of 71 seats, while the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei of Sitiveni Rabuka (who had come to power in the 1987 Fijian coups d'état) was reduced to 8 seats. Mahendra Chaudhry became the country's first Indo-Fijian Prime Minister.https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/20/world/for-first-time-ethnic-indian-will-lead-fiji.html For First Time, Ethnic Indian Will Lead Fiji The New York Times 20 May 1999 19 February 2022 Chaudhry's election angered hardline i-Taukei nationalists, as did his government's moves to renew agricultural leases and compensate farmers whose leases had expired. In September 1999, the Great Council of Chiefs rejected the government's plan to renew leases.https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/bitstream/1885/128824/1/Speight_of_Violence.pdf Speight of Violence : Inside Fiji's 2000 coup Field Michael Baba Tupeni Nabobo-Baba Unaisi Pandanus Books Canberra 2005 19 February 2022 978174076170366 Later that month, meetings were held around the country seeking the removal of the government, and former PANU leader Apisai Tora threatened to topple the government through protest marches and civil disobedience.66–67 A series of protest marches followed in April 2000, and a large march led by Iliesa Duvuloco was scheduled by 19 May.69–70 Seizure of Parliament On 19 May 2000, the first anniversary of Chaudhry's election, a group of armed men led by businessman George Speight stormed the Fijian Parliament and took the government hostage.http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0519gunseize.html GUNMEN SEIZE PRIME MINISTER HOSTAGE IN FIJI COUP BID Fiji Crisis Sheryl Ho 19 May 2000 https://web.archive.org/web/20030322085643/http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0519gunseize.html 22 March 2003https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/may/19/marktran Fiji's PM seized in coup The Guardian 19 May 2000 19 February 2022https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-19-mn-31790-story.html Gunmen Storm Fiji's Parliament, Announce Government Takeover Los Angeles Times 19 May 2000 19 February 2022 The coup was backed by Fiji's Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit, who provided soldiers and weapons.76–77https://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/features/3699745/Cloud-coup-coup-land Cloud coup coup land Stuff 28 May 2010 Michael Field 20 February 2022https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/law/research/publications/about-nzacl/publications/special-issues/hors-serie-volume-i,-2001/Alley.pdf FIJI'S COUPS OF 1987 AND 2000: A COMPARISON Alley Roderic 2001 20 February 2022223 Speight claimed to have seized power on behalf of ethnic Fijians, and purported to have revoked the 1997 constitution and appointed himself interim president and opposition MP Timoci Silatolu as interim prime minister.https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2000/may/20/fromthearchive Fiji's leaders held hostage in 'ethnic' coup The Guardian 20 May 2000 20 February 2022 In the immediate aftermath of the takeover, participants in the protest march moved from Government House to surround parliament, while mobs of youths burned and looted Indo-Fijian-owned shops in Suva.85 President Kamisese Mara responded by declaring a state of emergency and police imposed a curfew.https://www.ifrc.org/docs/appeals/rpts00/fi002.pdf FIJI:Civil Coup Attempt: Information Bulletin no: 2 IFRC 20 May 2000 20 February 2022 Former Prime Minister Rabuka initially acted as a negotiator attempting to free the hostages,86https://www.odt.co.nz/2000-fiji-parliament-stormed-coup 2000: Fiji Parliament stormed in coup Otago Daily Times 2 February 2012 20 February 2022 but was later dismissed after Speight decided he could no longer trust him.http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0522diary.html Fiji Coup : Diary of Events Fiji Crisis Rowena Singh 22 May 2000 https://web.archive.org/web/20030322090445/http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0522diary.html 22 March 2003 On 20 May, ten hostages were released after resigning from the government.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/may/22/fiji Coup leader says no to Fiji amnesty The Guardian 22 May 2000 20 February 2022 In a televised press conference Speight swore in Jope Seniloli as interim president, and was then sworn in as prime minister, with Silatolu as his deputy and Rakuita Vakalalabure as attorney-general.95https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/756488.stm Coup leader bungles ceremony BBC 20 May 2000 20 February 2022 Chaudhry was beaten after refusing to resign. Police and the RFMF failed to control access to parliament, allowing people to come and go freely while negotiations continued.112 On 26 May, the RFMF finally attempted to establish a cordon, resulting in a confrontation with Speight in the presence of international media.126 The same day fifteen soldiers and two military officers defected to the rebels.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/764537.stm Fiji troops defect to coup leader BBC 26 May 2000 20 February 2022 The next day, 200 rebels confronted soldiers at the cordon, resulting in gunfire and two soldiers and a camera operator being wounded.http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0527cameraman.html CAMERAMAN, TWO SOLDIERS WOUNDED IN GUNFIRE NEAR PARLIAMENT Fiji Crisis 27 May 2000 https://web.archive.org/web/20030224162909/http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0527cameraman.html 24 February 2003https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/766096.stm Shots fired in Fiji coup BBC 27 May 2000 20 February 2022 The next day President Mara sacked Chaudhry for being unable to perform his functions and appointed Tevita Momoedonu, the sole cabinet member who was not in parliament when it was seized, as prime minister.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/may/28/fiji.theobserver Fiji hostage drama has violent twist The Guardian 28 May 2000 20 February 2022 After advising Mara to prorogue parliament for six months, Momoedonu resigned, leaving Mara with "unfettered executive authority".128–129223 Military coup and negotiations Resignation of Ratu Mara On 28 May, following the broadcast of a news segment critical of Speight, a rebel mob attacked the Fiji TV station, killing a police officer.https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-29-mn-35213-story.html Fijian Police Officer Killed During Melee Los Angeles Times 29 May 2000 20 February 2022http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0529policemandies.html Policeman dies in attack on Fiji TV Fiji Crisis 29 May 2000 https://web.archive.org/web/20030322030727/http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0529policemandies.html 22 March 2003https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/may/29/fiji Violence escalates as mob runs riot in Fiji The Guardian 29 May 2000 20 February 2022 The breakdown of law and order saw Chief Justice Timoci Tuivaga and other judges advise RFMF commander Frank Bainimarama to take control on the basis of "necessity".134–135 After a meeting with Bainimarama and Rabuka, Mara resigned.135–136223 Bainimarama then declared martial law, revoked the 1997 constitution, and took control of the country, declaring himself head of state.https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/30/world/fiji-military-takes-control-and-declares-martial-law.html Fiji Military Takes Control And Declares Martial Law The New York Times 30 May 2000 20 February 2022http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0530constitution.html Three new decrees revoke Fiji's Constitution Fiji Crisis 30 May 2000 https://web.archive.org/web/20030322090457/http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0530constitution.html 22 March 2003 Bainimarama initially named former army commander Epeli Nailatikau as prime minister,https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-31-mn-35815-story.html Naming of Premier Derails Fiji Talks Los Angeles Times MITCHELL LANDSBERG 31 May 2000 21 December 2022https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/may/30/3 Fijian coup leaders force appointment of interim prime minister The Guardian 30 May 2000 21 December 2022 but withdrew the nomination the next day after objections from Speight.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/may/31/fiji.marktran Coup leader asserts control Mark Tran The Guardian 31 May 2000 21 December 2022 Bainimarama then deferred the appointment of a civilian government "until the climate is right", but committed that "Mahendra Chaudhry will no longer come back as Prime Minister".https://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000601/main1.htm Speight supporters go on rampage Chaudhry govt 'not to be restored' The Tribune India 31 May 2000 21 December 2022https://www.afr.com/world/reluctant-ruler-pledges-return-to-stability-20000601-k9iyn Reluctant ruler pledges return to stability Australian Financial Review Rowan Callick 1 June 2000 21 December 2022 The military regime then began talks with Speight aimed at the release of the hostages.140–141 On 4 June, talks broke down,https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/05/world/military-rulers-in-fiji-say-talks-break-down.html Military Rulers In Fiji Say Talks Break Down The New York Times 5 June 2000 21 December 2022 and the military issued an ultimatum, demanding Speight release the hostages and lay down his arms, and in return promising an amnesty.http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0605militaryultimatum.html FIJI MILITARY ISSUES ULTIMATUM TO SPEIGHT Fiji Crisis 5 June 2000 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030325084251/http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0605militaryultimatum.html 25 March 2003http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/4940a54a8441730464d8879b48282aca FIJI: GEORGE SPEIGHT GIVEN WARNING BY MILITARY AP Archive 5 June 2000 21 December 2022 Following the breakdown in negotiations the international community began to apply pressure. On 7 June 2000, the Commonwealth of Nations suspended Fiji.https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/commonwealth-suspends-fiji-over-coup-1.229913 Commonwealth suspends Fiji over coup CBC News 7 June 2000 21 December 2022 The European Union threatened to ban Fijian sugar if Fiji gave in to Speight's demands.146 On 14 June, the New Zealand government applied a travel ban to Speight and 84 of his associates, as well as Fijian sports teams.https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-prohibits-entry-speight-associates Government Prohibits Entry of Speight Associates New Zealand Government 14 June 2000 21 December 2022 Australia followed with a sporting ban.http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0614NZblacklist.html NEW ZEALAND BLACKLISTS SPEIGHT'S REBELS Fiji Crisis Jilda Shem 14 June 2000 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030325084247/http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0614NZblacklist.html 25 March 2003 Unionised Australian workers refused to load Fijian cargo.http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0623prodembans.html PRO-DEMOCRACY BANS MAY INTENSIFY Fiji Crisis 23 June 2000 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030325074403/http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0623prodembans.html 25 March 2003 On 12 June, the military fired warning shots at Speight's vehicle at a checkpoint as he was returning to parliament from talks.http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0612openfire.html MILITARY OPEN FIRE AT REBEL LEADER'S CONVOY Fiji Crisis 12 June 2000 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030510103034/http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0612openfire.html 10 May 2003 Speight called it "a failed assassination attempt",188 and refused to attend future negotiation sessions.204 Despite this, negotiations continued through intermediaries. On 18 June, the military agreed to some of Speight's nominees for the interim government,http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0618nominees.html MILITARY REGIME AGREES TO SOME SPEIGHT NOMINEES Fiji Crisis 18 June 2000 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030325082805/http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0618nominees.html 25 March 2003 and Speight released four female hostages as a sign of good faith.http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0625womenreleased.html FOUR WOMEN HOSTAGES RELEASED Fiji Crisis 25 June 2000 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030325083643/http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0625womenreleased.html 25 March 2003 Negotiations then deadlocked on the issue of the presidency, with Speight backtracking on an initial agreement for the president to be nominated by the Great Council of Chiefs and demanding instead that Ratu Josefa Iloilo be sworn in immediately.http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0626deadlock.html PRESIDENT ISSUE DEADLOCKS TALKS Fiji Crisis 26 June 2000 Joe Yaya dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030325084024/http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0626deadlock.html 25 March 2003 The military issued another ultimatum, which was rejected.http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0628rebelsreject.html REBELS REJECT MILITARY ULTIMATUM Fiji Crisis 28 June 2000 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030510102154/http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0628rebelsreject.html 10 May 2003 On 3 July 2000, Bainimarama named Laisenia Qarase as prime minister, heading an all-indigenous Fijian government.205 Speight was outraged by the decision, and a gun-battle broke out at Parliament the next day in which five people were injured.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jul/04/fiji1 Fiji rebels wounded in parliament shooting The Guardian 4 July 2000 21 December 2022https://www.afr.com/world/gun-fight-inside-fijis-parliament-20000705-k9l0w Gun fight inside Fiji's Parliament Australian Financial Review 5 July 2000 21 December 2022 Chaos escalated, and rebels staged a number of incidents around the country. Soldiers at the Sukunaivalu Barracks in Labasa mutinied and declared support for Speight.206 Local landowners took over the Monasavu Dam, cutting power to Suva.206https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/158395/fiji-electricity-told-to-pay-dam-landowners-us$31-point-5m Fiji electricity told to pay dam landowners US$31.5m RNZ 1 November 2005 21 December 2022 On 8 July, rebels blocked the road between Suva and Nadi and stormed a police station in Korovou, taking 30 hostages.https://www.deseret.com/2000/7/8/19517092/supporters-of-fiji-coup-grab-more-hostages Supporters of Fiji coup grab more hostages Deseret News 8 July 2000 21 December 2022 At Naboro Prison, 50 inmates rioted, taking guards hostage.https://www.deseret.com/2000/7/12/19517726/9-fijian-hostages-freed-but-order-may-unravel 9 Fijian hostages freed, but order may unravel Deseret News 13 July 2000 21 December 2022 On 9 July, Speight signed the Muanikau Accord with the military,209 agreeing to release the hostages in exchange for an amnesty for himself. All his key demands had been met.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jul/13/qanda.marktran Fiji coup The Guardian 13 July 2000 21 December 2022 Nine hostages were released on 12 July, and the remainder were released the next day after Iloilo was named president by the Great Council of Chiefs.218https://apnews.com/article/74a198025db713e897ffb77033682308 Hostage Crisis Ends in Fiji AP News Paul Alexander 14 July 2000 21 December 2022https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jul/13/fiji Fiji hostage crisis ends The Guardian 13 July 2000 21 December 2022https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/fijis-isolation-grows-as-last-hostages-freed/article4165962/ Fiji's isolation grows as last hostages freed The Globe and Mail 14 July 2000 21 December 2022 Following the return of hostages and weapons, Speight and his followers moved to Kalabu Fijian School on the outskirts of Suva.229 Speight continued to lobby over the makeup of the interim cabinet, demanding that Qarase be replaced as prime minister by Adi Samanunu Cakobau,https://edition.cnn.com/2000/ASIANOW/australasia/07/22/fiji.unrest.reut/ Fiji rebels demand PM be replaced with woman chief CNN 22 July 2000 21 December 2022 and that rebels be given control of key portfolios.230–231 When the government rejected his demands, his spokesman Joe Nata threatened civil war.231 On 26 July, Speight, Nata, and two others were arrested at a military checkpoint following threats to President Iloilo.http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0727arrested.html REBEL LEADER GEORGE SPEIGHT ARRESTED Fiji Crisis 27 July 2000 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030224151940/http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0727arrested.html 24 February 2003https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jul/26/fiji Fiji: Speight reported arrested The Guardian 26 July 2000 21 December 2022 The military then stormed his headquarters, killing one person and arresting 369 supporters.http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0727dead.html MILITARY STORM REBELS – 1 DEAD, 40 WOUNDED Fiji Crisis 27 July 2000 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030224153119/http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/archive/fiji_coup/0727dead.html 24 February 2003https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/27/world/coup-leader-in-fiji-is-arrested-by-the-military.html Coup Leader in Fiji Is Arrested by the Military The New York Times 27 July 2000 21 December 2022https://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=83055&page=1 Fiji Coup Leader Speight Arrested ABC News Marie McInerney 27 July 2000 21 December 2022 Aftermath Mutinies of the 2000 Fijian coup d'état Trials since the 2000 Fijian coup d'état In the wake of the coup tourism collapsed by 30%, and Fiji's economy contracted 8.2%.https://www.beehive.govt.nz/node/10578 Fiji – One year on from the coup New Zealand Government 18 May 2001 21 December 2022 Despite Speight's arrest, violence by rebels continued. On 31 July, Speight supporters terrorised the village of Dreketi, taking 30 hostages.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jul/31/fiji Ethnic attack raises Fiji tension The Guardian Matthew Brace 31 July 2000 21 December 2022 Soldiers who had mutinied at the Sukunaivalu Barracks did not surrender for six weeks.https://edition.cnn.com/2000/ASIANOW/australasia/08/13/fiji.future.reut/index.html Fiji army preaches peace in rebel stronghold CNN 14 August 2000 21 December 2022 On 8 August, rebels ambushed a military patrol, killing one soldier and a policeman, and wounding three others.234 On 2 November 2000, soldiers of the Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit loyal to Speight mutinied in the Queen Elizabeth Barracks mutiny, holding officers hostage in an attempt to depose military commander Frank Bainimarama. Two soldiers were killed and ten were injured when the military retook the barracks.https://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=82211&page=1 Fiji Army Reclaims Barracks After Mutiny ABC News 3 November 2000 21 December 2022https://edition.cnn.com/2000/ASIANOW/australasia/11/02/fiji.gunfire/index.html Two Fijian soldiers die in gunbattle with rebel troops CNN 2 November 2000 21 December 2022 Four of the rebels were tortured and killed by loyal soldiers in the aftermath.Fiji commemorates 2000 mutiny https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/429690/fiji-commemorates-2000-mutiny Radio New Zealand 2 November 2020 On 15 November, the High Court of Fiji declared that the interim government was illegal. Mara remained the lawful President; Parliament had not been dissolved but only suspended, and should now be reconvened; and by implication, Chaudhry remained the lawful prime minister.Prasad v Republic of Fiji 2000 FJHC 121 High Court of Fiji 15 November 2000 http://www.paclii.org/fj/cases/FJHC/2000/121.html 21 December 2022 Mara subsequently officially resigned, with his resignation backdated to 29 May.https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0012/S00100.htm Ratu Mara Resigns Scoop 21 December 2000 21 December 2022 The Qarase government appealed the court ruling. On 1 March 2001, the Court of Appeal of Fiji confirmed the High Court decision reinstating the constitution in Republic of Fiji Islands v Prasad.https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/high-court-upholds-ruling-on-illegality-of-fiji-government/EXOTHDN6UMMMPWK3ZEKC4MNUNI/?c_id=2&objectid=174489 High Court upholds ruling on illegality of Fiji Government The New Zealand Herald 1 March 2001 20 February 2022Republic of Fiji Islands v Prasad 2001 FJCA 2 Court of Appeal of Fiji 1 March 2001 http://www.paclii.org/fj/cases/FJCA/2001/2.html 21 December 2022 The government accepted the decision, and new elections were subsequently held in August and September 2001. On 18 February 2002, George Speight pleaded guilty to treason and was sentenced to death.https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/speight-sentenced-to-death/332DFABXJJBGBX4EO6IER34N7I/ Speight sentenced to death The New Zealand Herald 18 February 2002 20 February 2022https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/feb/18/fiji.paulkelso Fiji coup leader sentenced to die The Guardian 18 February 2002 20 February 2022 The sentence was commuted to life imprisonment the same day by President Ratu Josefa Iloilo.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1828650.stm Jail for Fiji rebels BBC 19 February 2002 20 February 2022 Ten other rebels received sentences of between 18 months and three years for kidnapping. On 20 March 2003 Josefa Nata and Timoci Silatolu were convicted of treason.https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/142924/fiji-coup-accomplices-found-guilty-of-treason Fiji coup accomplices found guilty of treason RNZ 21 March 2003 20 February 2022 On 28 June 2003, both were sentenced to life imprisonment.https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/144146/life-sentences-for-fiji-treason-convicts Life sentences for Fiji treason convicts RNZ 28 June 2003 20 February 2022 In April 2005, Lands Minister Naiqama Lalabalavu, Senator Josefa Dimuri and two other Vanua Levu chiefs were sentenced to eight months imprisonment over his role in the Sukanaivalu Barracks mutiny.https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/154246/fiji%27s-lands-minister-jailed-for-8-months-for-coup-offences Fiji's lands minister jailed for 8 months for coup offences RNZ 4 April 2005 21 December 2022 They were released to serve their sentences extramurally after only 11 days,https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/154498/criticism-in-fiji-over-release-of-lalabalavu-and-dimuri Criticism in Fiji over release of Lalabalavu and Dimuri RNZ 15 April 2005 17 February 2023 and subsequently allowed to return to their seats in parliament.https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/156836/jailed-fiji-government-mps-cleared-to-return-to-parliament Jailed Fiji government MPs cleared to return to parliament RNZ 11 August 2005 17 February 2023 In November 2002, 15 soldiers involved in the Queen Elizabeth barracks mutiny were sentenced to prison terms ranging from ten months to life imprisonment.https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/141721/fiji-court-martial-sentences-mutiny-leader-to-life-in-jail Fiji court martial sentences mutiny leader to life in jail RNZ 15 November 2002 21 December 2022 In 2005 the Qarase government proposed the Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill to grant amnesty to those involved in the coup, leading to the 2005–2006 Fijian political crisis and the 2006 Fijian coup d'état. In December 2024 the Rabuka government established the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission to inquire into the 1987, 2000, and 2006 coups. In January 2025 Rabuka said he would identify those behind the coups to the commission.https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/540500/rabuka-to-come-clean-about-1987-coups-to-fiji-s-truth-and-reconciliation-commission Rabuka to come clean about 1987 coups to Fiji's Truth and Reconciliation Commission RNZ 31 January 2025 31 January 2025 References Further reading Trnka, S. (2011). State of Suffering: Political Violence and Community Survival in Fiji. United States: Cornell University Press., 9780801461880 https://www.google.co.id/books/edition/State_of_Suffering/xaRmDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=fiji+coup+2000&printsec=frontcover Read Pretes, M. (2008). Coup: Reflections on the Political Crisis in Fiji. United States: ANU E Press., 9781921536373 https://www.google.co.id/books/edition/Coup/P0FMNzdDmAwC?hl=en&gbpv=0 Read Category:Coups d'état in Fiji Coup Fiji Category:May 2000 in Oceania Category:Hostage taking in Oceania Category:Attacks on legislatures in Oceania