Support Banaban activists' legal costs

Dear supporters and friends,

We write to you today with a sense of urgency and purpose. The Banaban Human Rights Defenders Network (BHRDN) faces legal challenges that threaten our ability to continue advocating for justice, transparency, and the rights of the Banaban community.

Since 2021, BHRDN has fearlessly stepped up to advocate on human rights issues affecting Banabans in Rabi and Banaba. Our commitment to the public interest of Banabans with regards to extractive industries, climate change, forced relocation, self-determination, and environmental justice has led us to take on powerful entities, including the Australian mining company Centrex (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/04/mining-once-made-this-pacific-island-unliveable-now-residents-fear-its-return). As a result of our advocacy, Centrex's plans to recommence mineral prospecting on Banaba, our ancestral homelands, were suspended in August 2023. However, this victory has come at a cost.

BHRDN now faces three active civil cases in the High Court of Fiji. We are being sued by powerful actors for allegations of defamation, triggered by BHRDN’s comments on governance issues related to the above mining scandal. In our opinion, these lawsuits are designed to divert attention from the real issue: Centrex's plans to recommence mining on Banaba. We believe that these lawsuits represent a deliberate, calculated attempt to disrupt our advocacy work and silence valid criticism of injustices, thus diminishing the space for civil participation in decision making.

Legal battles are resource intensive. The financial stress imposed on BHRDN in this regard is hindering our work on the ground. We need your support to continue fighting for the Banaban people. Every dollar counts, and together we can make a difference.

How You Can Help:

1. Donate: We are raising FJD$20,000 to cover legal fees, court representation, and administrative costs. Your contribution will directly support our legal defence. We have already raised FJD$3,000 which will go towards our first payment due this week. This leaves us with FJD$17,000 more to fundraise. Receipts for all expenses will be shared with our supporters to ensure transparency.

2. Spread the word: Share our cause with your networks. Amplify our message on social media, in community gatherings, and among friends. Share the Banaban story and our efforts to achieve justice for our community.

We extend heartfelt gratitude to all our supporters. Your contributions sustain our fight. Together, let us ensure that justice prevails, and the voices of the Banaban people are heard. We are committed to updating you regularly on the progress of the lawsuits and how your donation has been disbursed to ensure accountability and transparency.

You can reach out directly to Rae by phone number (including WhatsApp) below if you have any questions:

+679 7283293