13 Dec 2016

Seaton still waits for help over Fiji deportation

7:00 pm on 13 December 2016

A woman who was deported from Fiji for allegedly swearing at the country's president is still waiting for consular help.

Dave Rand (L) with Karen Seaton a woman who was deported from Fiji allegedly for swearing at the president.

Dave Rand (L) with Karen Seaton a woman who was deported from Fiji allegedly for swearing at the president. Photo: Supplied

Karen Seaton is a US and Canadian passport holder and she said she contacted her countries' representatives for help after being forcibly deported ten days ago.

Ms Seaton, who's denied swearing at the president, was being assisted by Dave Rand of the Fiji Landowners Association.

Mr Rand said it's unacceptable that Ms Seaton hasn't received any consular help.

"You would think that an American would get a phone call from their consulate if they'd been deported and been calling them and calling them. This is not a paid vacation for them. When an American is in trouble for any reason return the phone call, Waiting eight days for a return phone call is unacceptable," said Dave Rand.

Mr Rand said he was recommended by a Fijian consular official in the US to call a senator over the issue and not to expect any redress from Fiji which was only a quasi democracy.

US and Canadian consular officials said they were seeking more information on the deportation from the Fijian government.

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