Angela (Angie) Heffernan is a Fijian political activist and Director of the Pacific Centre for Public Integrity (PCPI). She is known for her outspoken opposition to the coup d'état carried out by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces on 5 December 2006. The Fijian coup détat of December 2006 occurred as a continuation of the pressure which had been building since the military unrest of the 2000 Fijian coup détat and 2005-2006 Fijian political crisis. ... The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), with a total manpower of only 3500 men, is one of the smallest in the world. ... December 5 is the 339th day (340th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

The 2006 coup

Main article: 2006 Fijian coup d'état

On 15 December 2006, Heffernan strongly criticized Fiji Human Rights Commission (FHRC) Director Shaista Shameem for failing to oppose the coup and human rights violations allegedly committed by the country's military rulers. [1] On 28 December, she called on Shameem to resign, claiming that the FHRC had done nothing to help six activists who claimed to have been detained and assaulted at Suva's Queen Elizabeth Barracks in the early hours of 25 December. [2] On 4 January 2007, Heffernan condemned a report written by Shameem excusing the Military for overthrowing a government that was "illegally constituted." [3] The Fijian coup détat of December 2006 occurred as a continuation of the pressure which had been building since the military unrest of the 2000 Fijian coup détat and 2005-2006 Fijian political crisis. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... December 28 is the 362nd day of the year (363rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 3 days remaining. ... Suva is the capital of Fiji. ... December 25 is the 359th day of the year (360th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 6 days remaining in the year. ... January 4 is the 4th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Heffernan also voiced fears that the country could be slipping into dictatorship, the Fiji Times reported on 16 December. [4] Fiji Times Online The Fiji Times is a daily newspaper published in Fiji. ... December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ...

On 20 December, she spoke out against granting immunity to Military officers and soldiers, saying it would set a dangerous precedent that would legitimize Military coups. [5] On 21 January, she criticized President Ratu Josefa Iloilo for granting immunity to the Military Commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama and all others associated with the coup and with the interim government formed in early January, saying that the President had acted unconstitutionally, the Fiji Sun quoted her as saying. December 20 is the 354th day of the year (355th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... January 21 is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Fiji became a republic in 1987, when Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom formally abdicated as Queen of Fiji, following two military coups led by Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka. ... Ratu is a title used by Fijians of chiefly rank. ... Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda, CF, MBE, (born December 29, 1920) has been the President of Fiji since 2000. ... Commodore is a military rank used in some navies for officers whose position exceeds that of a Captain, but is less than that of a Flag Officer. ... Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama MSD, OStJ, Fijian Navy, popularly known as Frank Bainimarama, (born 27 April 1954) is the Commander of the Fijian Military Forces. ... The Fiji Sun is a daily newspaper published in Fiji. ...

Heffernan also condemned the suspension of Chief Justice Daniel Fatiaki and the appointment of Anthony Gates as Acting Chief Justice, saying it had brought disgrace and dishonour to the judiciary. "We do not recognise the appointment of (acting CJ) Anthony Gates, we are very disappointed at his decision to accept a shoddy and illegal appointment given his unblemished professional record," she said.[6] The Chief Justice is Fijis highest judicial officer. ... Daniel Fatiaki Daniel Fatiaki is the Chief Justice of Fiji. ...

Into hiding

On 24 January 2007, Heffernan announced that threats from the Military had led to the closure of the PCPI office for one week. [7] The next day, Suliana Siwatibau, the PCPI chairperson, said that Heffernan had been threatened and that the Military was looking for her, [8] which Land Force Commander Colonel Pita Driti confirmed. Heffernan and fellow-activist Laisa Digitaki had been making "inciteful" comments, he claimed. [9] Later that day, Heffernan said she feared for her life and that of her three children, and had gone into hiding. [10] January 24 is the 24th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Colonel (IPA: or ) is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with the corresponding ranks existing in nearly every country in the world. ... Laisa Digitaki, is a Fijian businesswoman and political activist of indigenous Fijian descent. ...

The police announced on 28 January that they had begun an investigation into Heffernan and Digitaki on the basis of a formal complaint from the Military. [11] January 28 is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Heffernan was arrested by soldiers in civilian clothes [12] at a Sigatoka hotel on 30 January. Apprehended at the same hotel was another government critic, Tupou Draunidalo, Vice-President of the Fiji Law Society. [13] Both women were taken in for interrogation by the Military and police. [14] Police Director of Uniform Operations Jair Khan said that Heffernan could be charged with breaching the Public Order Act. Sigatoka is a town in Fiji. ... January 30 is the 30th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Fiji Law Society is the official body that registers and regulates the activity of all lawyers in Fiji. ...