Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Fiji NGOs doing their job, says academic

Posted at 07:49 on 19 September, 2007 UTC

A Fiji academic says it is the mandate of non-governmental organisations to carry out a watchdog role.

Fiji’s interim administration has told a number of NGO’s to stop criticising the interim government for re-introducing the emergency regulations earlier this month.

It has also accuses them of being paid by Australia and New Zealand to make their statements.

Dr Brij Lal from the Australian National University says the NGO’s are only doing what they are supposed to do.

“These NGO’s are not doing anything that is strange, they are simply fullfilling their role, which is to be the voice of the voiceless. Particularily in situations like this, where a public emergency regulations is in place, which curtails a number of fundamental freedoms.”

Dr Brij Lal says Fijians should welcome the courage of these NGOs in doing their job.