Fiji back at square one: PCPI
Friday September 07, 2007

The Pacific Centre for Public Integrity says the country has gone back to square one with the reintroduction of the Public Emergency Regulations.

The regulation was invoked yesterday by Fiji’s interim Government.

PCPI director Angie Heffernan said it is unjustified and unnecessary to impose this on the nation on the basis of a views expressed by a few members of the public.

“PCPI cannot see anything inciteful in Mr Qarase's public comments...he is simply exercising his freedom of speech under the constitution.

“If the military claims that comments are inciteful, the most appropriate constitutional course of action is to refer the matter to the police, Heffernan said.

She added this latest development clearly demonstrates a serious lack of political commitment by the military and its regime to abide by its promises to the citizens of Fiji, international community, the Pacific Forum Islands Working Groups, and the EU of keeping to the agreed roadmap of returning the country back to democracy.

The PCPI has warned that the interim military regime cannot expect the international community to stand back “while they flout their commitments”.

“It is irresponsible of Mr Kaiyum to publically say that the impact of this will be minimal. PCPI calls on Fiji's international partners to look into imposing further diplomatic sanctions on Fiji.”