Charlie Charters spoke to the press outside a courtroom today, claiming that recent actions against him are part of a broader effort to intimidate whistleblowers within the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). He expressed alarm over the ineffective use of resources aimed at tackling corruption, questioning whether Fiji is truly becoming safer as a result.
Charters stated, “The person they’ve chosen to jump all over is me,” asserting that such tactics do not contribute to making Fiji a freer or more secure nation. He argued that the persistent issue of corruption remains unaddressed by FICAC’s current leadership, emphasizing the need for a more responsible and sensitive approach to these challenges.
Highlighting the misallocation of resources, Charters noted that investigative efforts appear focused on him rather than the wider, systemic corruption that hampers the country. He expressed a willingness to further discuss these pressing concerns, reinforcing that the fight against corruption in Fiji is potentially more significant than previously recognized, particularly due to the discouragement faced by whistleblowers.
This situation sheds light on the persistent struggles Fiji faces in effectively combating corruption while also protecting individuals who expose wrongdoing. Charters’ comments resonate with a broader call for transparency and accountability within institutions tasked with safeguarding the public good, echoing sentiments previously shared by other advocates for reform in Fiji.