Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Fiji interim attorney-general says no State of Emergency in place

Posted at 22:24 on 10 September, 2007 UTC

Fiji’s interim attorney general says the country is not under martial law and there is no State of Emergency in place.

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says Australia and New Zealand are misrepresenting what is happening in Fiji in their travel advisories, especially the Australian foreign minister, Alexander Downer.

He has accused the media in both countries of exaggerating the situation in Fiji and adds that life is normal.

The interim prime minister, Commodore Bainimarama, said on the re-imposition of the Public Emergency Regulations last week that it was a precautionary measure aimed at curbing the statements of the deposed prime minister to destabilize the country.

Meanwhile, the Forum Working Group on Fiji has issued a statement that the re-imposition of the Emergency Regulations is another obstacle to the return of democracy.

After a meeting in Suva, the Group has called on the military and the interim government to ensure respect for the human rights of all.