Fiji is again under the spotlight for an alleged lack of transparency in its legal system.
The Chair of the Law Society of England Charity, Nigel Dodds, went to Fiji in November last year and interviewed lawyers, former judges and prosecutors.
His findings have just been released in a Law Society report which says Fiji has no rule of law, no freedom of expression and the independence of the judiciary can not be relied upon.
Mr Dodds told Radio Australia’sPacific Beat Fijians are living with a legal system that will not tolerate any action against the ruling military regime.
“There is no legitimate way to challenge the actions of the Fiji government,” he said.
“If you manage to squeeze one through, then the official of the court will strike it out, so it’s a very difficult situation for any society where there is no legitimate means of challenging the actions of the government.”
Categories: Australia, Democracy, Fiji, Human Rights
As the interim Military Government seriously prepares to return Fiji to and elected Democratic government, it has relaxed many media restrictions and last week allowed Radio Australia back in its FM fold for all listeners.
A new constitution is also being drafted to accommodate “one man one vote” to replace the old communal voting system.
View Hazoor’s coverage in the FIJISUN USA
http://issuu.com/fijisun/docs/fiji_sun_july_12