Fijian Politician And Lawyer, Lynda Tabuya And Her Husband Rob Semaan Divorced In 2016
Lynda Tabuya, the minister of women, children, and social protection, is in the news again, this time for a leaked private video that she said was meant for her husband.
Since December 24, 2022, Lynda Diseru Tabuya, a politician and attorney from Fiji, has been the Minister for Women, Children, and Poverty Alleviation.
highlights
- Lynda Tabuya confirmed that the leaked video was a private tape for her husband.
- Lynda denounced its unapproved dissemination as a type of cyberbullying and underlined that exchanging private material between consenting people is neither scandalous, illegal, or unethical.
- Tabuya said that the people in charge of the video’s distribution would be the target of a police complaint under the Online Safety Act and Crimes Act.
Tabuya was elected PDP president in May 2014, although her candidacy fell short of the 5%.
The PDP and the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) announced their partnership in December 2017 so that they could field candidates in the 2018 legislative election.
On January 7, 2022, Tabuya announced her resignation from SODELPA and her intention to join the People’s Alliance Party (PAP).
Lynda Tabuya shared that she divorced her husband in 2016
Rob Semaan and Lynda Tabuya got divorced in 2016.
However, Lynda Tabuya claims that they are still married, as the sensational video footage of the entire country talking is a private matter between a married couple and nobody else’s business.
She also threatens to take legal action against anybody who uploads the clip.
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Tabuya stated that the content was a private video that she and her husband recorded.
Tabuya stated in a statement cited by the Fiji Times that,
“this type of violence occurs when private images and videos are circulated publicly with[out] the person’s consent. If we are genuinely committed to ending violence against women and girls in Fiji, we must put an end to this terrible form of cyberbullying.”
According to her, the video was not controversial. She stated,
“Sharing private videos and images between two consenting adults who are in a relationship, in this case me and my husband, is not scandalous, illegal, or immoral.”
Lynda Tabuya pursued legal action against her distributed photos and videos
Tabuya declared that she will take legal action against those who acquired and shared the confidential images and video.
Ms. Tabuya disclosed that she plans to lodge a police complaint under the Online Safety Act and Crimes Act, citing evidence against at least one of the people who spread the video.
She warned anyone else disseminating the content that they will be subject to harsh legal repercussions.
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Although Prime Minister Rabuka reportedly contacted Ms. Tabuya to request an explanation, he was unavailable for comment at the time this story was published.
She stated,
“I am collaborating closely with law enforcement to track down and prosecute those who disseminated the video on the internet.”
“Let me reiterate that I will not be distracted from my commitment to serve the people of Fiji with integrity and dedication. This is a moment to reflect on the importance of protecting individuals from digital harm and promoting a culture of respect and accountability in both public and private spaces.”
Moreover, she exhorts the public and media to uphold the values of privacy, decency, and the rule of law.
Tabuya claims that she has forwarded this case to the proper authorities and hopes that a comprehensive investigation will be conducted to find and penalize those liable for this act.
Additional information
- Lynda was named Minister for Women, Children, and Poverty Alleviation in the Sitiveni Rabuka coalition cabinet on December 24, 2022.
- Tabuya proposed the reinstatement of the death sentence in August 2024 as a means of fighting drug trafficking.
- In 2018 elections, she received the most votes of any female contender and came in fifth place overall.
