Fijian media reported that Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka had
moved quickly to ensure exiled whistle-blowing University of the South Pacific
Vice Chancellor, Professor Pal Ahluwalia returned to Fiji and that the $90 million + University
grant that was withheld (to pressure him to resign) will be reinstated.
Rabuka will apologise on behalf of the people of Fiji for the way Ahluwalia was treated. He noted that he had promised that his government would bring to an end the injustices suffered by Ahluwalia. He added that prohibition orders against Ahluwalia were unreasonable and inhumane and should never have been made. Rabuka observed that Ahluwalia was exiled by deportation after a dispute with the Fiji government (over his whistle-blowing), and it created a major crisis for the University. Transparency International noted that “Despite the recognition that whistle-blowers are crucial to society, the fight for their rights remains full of hurdles. But there are also wins to celebrate.” Ahluwalia’s re-instatement sends a clear message that whistle-blowers should feel free to report incidences of wrongdoing especially in Government funded entities.
Ahluwalia’s case is not an isolated one. It seems to be widespread
and mirrors the toxic culture where whistle-blowers are persecuted for exposing
wrongdoing. Transparency International had published a statement “urging all UN
member states to end reprisals against whistle-blowers, and to respect,
protect, promote and fulfil the human rights of everyone – including those
working to promote and defend the rights of other people and to fight and
expose corruption.”
The Guardian (21/6/2022) reported on a damning BBC documentary
dealing with the United Nation’s mistreatment of whistle-blowers. It noted that
once whistle-blowers spoke out, the UN went after them. One whistle-blower, for
example, was suddenly accused of solicitation and viewing nude photographs on
his phone at work. Yet another has footage of Swiss police entering her flat
and refusing to leave: she says the UN had sent them, and had told them Reilly
was a suicide risk.
In the case of Ahluwalia, Jyoti Pratibha of the Fiji Sun
reported that the Chair of the University’s Audit and Risk Committee noted 33
counts of instances where it is alleged that Ahluwalia did not follow the
established procedures. ”Because of the seriousness of the allegations” he was
suspended.
One early sign that there were some complications in the
allegations brought against Ahluwalia was when the highly respected finance and
IT expert, Semi Tukana, resigned abruptly. He had sent his letter of
resignation to then Pro-Chancellor Winston Thompson who had appointed him
(Tukana) to the investigation committee. Mr Tukana had provided four reasons
for resigning. One concern was that “this sub-committee (is) being used as a
means to achieving the ultimate aim of terminating the appointment of Professor
Pal Ahluwalia as VC at USP.” He also highlighted the “existing public
perception of the lack of independence in how the appointment of the members of
this committee was arrived at,” and the “non-involvement of the USP Council as
a whole.”
The University Council had rescinded the suspension. It “is not
persuaded that due process was followed in the suspension of Vice-Chancellor
Ahluwalia.”
This led some to question whether there had been elements of
vindictiveness in Ahluwalia’s suspension
When Professor Ahluwalia took up his position in 2019, he hit
the ground running. Although appointed in November 2018, he formally took up
his role in January 2019. Within six weeks of taking office, concerned staff
had gone to Ahluwalia with allegations. In April 2019, Ahluwalia sent a paper
entitled “Issues, Concerns and Breaches of Past Management and Financial
Decisions” alleging wrongdoing by the former Vice Chancellor”. Ahluwalia had
made 26 allegations of mismanagement against his predecessor who held office
from 2008 to 2018.
BDO Auckland concluded there was a lack of documentary evidence
because of the level and or quality of documentation retained by USP. “BDO’s
view is that a majority of the decisions investigated were made within the
boundaries of the Vice Chancellor’s ordinance. However, when critically
analysed, the rationale for many of the decisions taken is unclear.” BDO
identified the need for greater oversight, control and management of the HR and
payroll functions of the USP.
Transparency International and CLCT Integrity Fiji note that the
fight for whistleblowers’ rights has also produced key wins, but for these wins
to spark real change and better protection for whistle-blowers, we must
continue fighting. Integrity Fiji and its youth network Youths4IntegrityFiji
have been unwavering in supporting whistle-blowers like Ahluwalia; choosing him
as Pacific Integrity Champion in 2021
Anti-corruption fighters, including whistle-blowers, are
increasingly under threat. Supporting them is a core pillar of Integrity Fiji
and Transparency International’s work – through legal advice, rapid response,
and advocacy for better legal and institutional frameworks. This not only makes
a difference for the individuals involved but protects everyone by working
towards an environment that allows people to speak out safely against
corruption and be heard.
