18 Feb 2003

Fiji Government plans to rein in NGOs

6:00 pm on 18 February 2003

The Fiji Government is looking at laws to tighten up on the work of non-government organisations operating in the country.

Radio Fiji reports that the Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, believes the current laws are too weak and most of the NGOs are taking advantage of this.

Mr Qarase says most NGOs are registered as charitable organisations but are doing something else.

He says the work of organisations like the Citizens Constitutional Forum should be carefully scrutinised.

He says many are funded from overseas but it seems they are working outside their jurisdiction.

He was referring to the unsuccessful Appeal Court case brought by the CCF in which it sought to declare illegal certain actions of the President including the dismissal of Mahendra Chaudhry as Prime Minister and the appointment of the post coup interim administration.

The administration de-registered the CCF in 2001 after it brought the first case which was not upheld in the High Court.

Mr Qarase's warning to NGOs comes at a time when the Fiji Women's Rights Movement also fears it might be de-registered.

This is because of its successful lobbying at the United Nations against the proposed appointment of the controversial former chief justice, Sir Timoci Tuivaga, to the International Criminal Court.