Fiji : A Police State?

Tuesday, 8 January 2013, 9:23 am
Opinion: Rajend Naidu

Fiji : A Police State?

Editor,

We learn from Asia Pacific Editor Rowan Callick's article ' Fiji cops torch constitution draft' (the Australian 8/1) that " Fijian police have seized and burnt copies of the draft constitution despite military ruler frank Bainimarama's pledge in his New Year's message that " we should have a new modern constitution".

Never mind Bainimarama's pledge . He has made many since before his military takeover and routinely abandoned them later.That's on the records. What I wish to know, in light of the constitution burning, is whether Fiji is still a Police State 6 years after Bainimarama's takeover to build a ""true democracy" in Fiji?. It certainly was when the Public Emergency Regulations was in force.

My Oxford Advance Learner's Dictionary (International Student's Edition) defines a Police state as" a country where people's freedom,especially to travel and to express political opinions, is controlled by the government, with the help of the police".

Is Fiji such a country now?

Sincerely,

Rajend Naidu

Sydney

ENDS

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