13 Apr 2005

Fiji Prime Minister says sodomy a sin

3:42 pm on 13 April 2005

Fiji's prime minister says homosexuality is a sin and his government will always see it as an illegal practice.

The statements comes in the wake of protests by the human rights groups and NGOs at the jailing of two men for indecent practices.

Laisenia Qarase told Radio Legend this morning that homosexual practices will not be entertained in Fiji.

Mr Qarase says people should realise that the two convicted men, who were released on bail yesterday, were producing a pornographic movie.

He says the bible sets out very clearly that homosexuality is a sin and that should be the law in Fiji.

Mr Qarase has called on overseas and local critics to respect Fiji's laws.

He says his government has never interfered with the courts and he expects NGOs and everybody else to do the same.

He said outside interference will not be tolerated by the people of Fiji.

Mr Qarase says the sentence is under appeal and that process should be allowed to go ahead.

The prime minister says there are no plans to decriminalise sodomy and unnatural offences which are crimes under Fiji's Penal Code.