A day of shame, too painful to remember [1]
Monday, November 19, 2007 - 14:27. Updated on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 - 23:57.
Editor's comment by Pesi Fonua.
Tonga's 16/11 has been labelled as a 'Day of Shame' by the new Ministry of Information. But now, one year on, there has been no enthusiasm by anyone to remember what happened in Nuku'alofa on that day.
On Friday November 16, 2007, the only people who felt obligated to carry out their pastoral role were members of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga who gathered at the site of Tungi Arcade Building, the church property that was gutted by the fires that raged throughout the Nuku'alofa business centre last November.
Such a strong commitment by church leaders inspires one to ask: where were they during the seven to eight hours when thieves, thugs, arsonists and political agitators went about destroying the capital?
Hard hit
The 16/11 riots have been called many things over the last year, as everyone struggles to find an explanation for the events that have torn many people's lives apart. But if there was a reason behind it all, if indeed there was some point to be made at the end of it, then what a waste all that was - for no-one has stepped forward and claimed responsibility for what happened and to tell us what they were hoping to achieve by hitting so hard the business community, the economy and the nation.
What point can be made by destroying the businesses that employed people, that were developing the country and who paid the massive 60, 70, and 80% salary rise of civil servants, including the pay rise by members of parliament?
So far the only people who have confessed and paid for their wrong doing are a few wretched souls who have pleaded guilty to the crimes of theft, house breaking and the damaging of properties, and have been sent to jail.
Faceless
But it's one year on and the instigators of the riot remain faceless.
Even some of those who have been blamed, have publicly said that they don't feel guilty for the orgy of destruction and the damage that was inflicted on the capital and on people's lives.
This month Tonga hosted the conference of the Pacific Chief Justices, under the theme Judicial Independence, and there was a celebration of the Week of Law in Tonga.
Justice and the rule of law is on everyone's minds, and if there is something that we should think about to mark Tonga's Day of Shame, 16/11, it is justice. We must support justice and we must demand justice for others and for ourselves, because while we fail to do so there can be no justice now or in the future.