Fijian leader reinstates judges

The 88-year-old president is a staunch supporter of Bainimarama

Fiji's president has reappointed the country's chief justice and named three judges, just weeks after scrapping the constitution and sacking the judiciary.

The dismissals in April came after the Court of Appeal ruled the government of the 2006 coup leader and self-installed PM, Frank Bainimarama, was illegal.

Anthony Gates returned as chief justice and two other judges - also supporters of the regime - were sworn back in.

Lawyer Sosefo Inoke was appointed as a new judge.

The new appointments come despite legal groups urging senior lawyers to reject posts offered by the military leadership, arguing that it would undermine the independence of the judiciary system and give legitimacy to the regime.

Those reinstated include two High Court judges - Anthony Gates and Devendra Pathik - who had previously ruled that the military coup in 2006 was legal.

Mr Bainimarama, who insists his rule is legitimate, has vowed to rewrite the constitution and introduce electoral reforms before a democratic poll can be held.

Military crackdown

Fiji's justice system had largely come to a halt since 10 April, when the president abolished the constitution and imposed emergency rule following the appeal court decision.

The Bainimarama government has since imposed strict media censorship, and detained or placed under house arrest several local journalists and lawyers.

Coup leader's iron grip on power

Several international reports published this year have raised concerns about human rights abuses and press freedoms.

Three Fijian lawyers accused of being anti-government bloggers were reportedly questioned by police this week.

Radio Australia confirmed the three men, Richard Naidu, Tevita Fa and Jon Apted, had been detained, after a pro-government website, Real Fiji News, accused them of being bloggers and warned more people would be arrested.

On a visit to New Zealand, the prime minister of Tonga, Fred Sevele, said heavier sanctions on Fiji would only hurt its people and cause the Fijian state to fail.

The Pacific Islands Forum suspended Fiji from the 16-member bloc after a deadline expired for Mr Bainimarama to set a date for elections this year.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said he shared Tonga's concern about the plight of ordinary Fijian citizens, but that Mr Bainimarama's election timetable - for polls in 2014 at the earliest - was "unacceptable".

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version