Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Head of Tonga Women’s National Congress breaks hunger fast

Posted at 20:18 on 03 November, 2009 UTC

The head of the Tonga Women’s National Congress has given up her three week-long hunger strike.

Mele Amanaki says she ended her protest against Tonga’s government after reading a passage in the bible which inspired her to break the fast.

Ms Amanaki had said she would not eat until both the Prime Minister and his deputy resigned or were removed due to what she calls governance issues with their performance.

The Congress maintains domestic violence has risen under Prime Minister Dr Feleti Sevele’s leadership and it’s criticised his handling of the Princess Ashika disaster.

Ms Amanaki has also begun legal proceedings against the government in a claim of unlawful dismissal from the public service.