Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Fiji-based regional organisation says people should press for democracy

Posted at 00:09 on 16 April, 2009 UTC

The Fiji-based regional organisation, the Pacific Concerns Resource Centre, says people should continue to press for a return to democracy in the country.

The constitution has been suspended, judges sacked and the media censored.

The organisation’s director, Tupou Vere, says it’s hugely disappointed by the recent developments.

But Ms Vere says people shouldn’t give up hope.

“We need human rights organisations, lawyers associations to continue to support pressing for parliamentary democracy in Fiji and we also like to ask our neighbouring countries, the Forum Island countries, to be united and take a firm stance against the military dictatorship in Fiji.”

Tupou Vere says people in neighbouring countries should also press their governments to take strong action.