Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Fiji’s SDL party says gagging calls are incompatible with democracy

Posted at 01:43 on 28 September, 2007 UTC

Fiji’s SDL party says calls to have it silenced violate the principles of good governance and democracy.

The former Fiji prime minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, says the SDL party shouldn’t be allowed to make public statements that could destabilise the country.

But SDL’s national director, Peceli Kinivuwai, says this would breach basic human rights and the freedom of expression.

“We cannot be silenced. In any country for democracy to thrive, and for the sake of good governance, for the sake of expression, we should all be allowed to talk. And we should all be allowed to voice our opinions freely.”

Peceli Kinivuwai says it poses no threat to security, and has always acted responsibly and within its constitutional rights.