Fiji: Politician complains about online abuse

“You deserve to be taken to a village, killed, cooked and buried there.”

That was just one of the many threats Fijian politician and human rights activist Roshika Deo claims has been directed at her.

Deo said for the last six months she had faced belittling, dangerous threats until Sunday, when it all became too much and she was forced to file an official police complaint.

In an interview, the vocal activist and independent candidate said since declaring her interest contesting the general elections, she had been subjected to sexual, physical and psychological threats to her life.

“Sunday in the evening I went to the police station to file a report against the cyber attacks and harassment,” she said.

“The report is yet to be processed as I have to take the print-outs of the comments and a photo of the perpetrator back to them,” Deo told the Fiji Times.

“I had attempted to file a report last year but had challenges at the police station.

“On Sunday, it went relatively well which is heartening to see,” she said.

She said since the threats were intensifying, she genuinely feared for her life as a few of the perpetrators were her very own acquaintances.

“We daily hear of rape and physical assault cases against girls and women so the possibility is present.

“I heavily engage on Facebook and Twitter, and I am more than happy to respond to questions that are asked without the personal attacks.

“I personally love a good healthy debate and can appreciate various viewpoints.

“One can ask me many questions and I will be happy to respond, but if it is going to be racist, sexist and foul-mouthed, and threaten my personal safety, then I am afraid I have zero tolerance for this kind of abuse and harassment,” Deo said.

She said recently, a few people had created fake Facebook accounts for the sole purpose of attacking, harassing and maligning her.

Deo said a lot of girls and women were being targeted on Facebook for simply having an opinion or engaging in discussions over some issues.

The Social Democratic and Liberal Party has expressed solidarity with the independent candidate in her protest against those who are threatening her.

Party leader Ro Teimumu Kepa claimed Deo’s fear was the reflection of the environment she lived in. She said standing up against fear and intimidation was the only way to defeat it.

Police chief operations officer Rusiate Tudravu said while he was briefed about a complaint of Facebook threats by Deo, the officers at the police station had mislaid the report book.