26 Mar 2007

Fiji Catholic Archbishop welcomes drop in crime but warns military to respect human rights

11:00 am on 26 March 2007

Fiji's head of the Roman Catholic church says people in Fiji are pleased that military rule has reduced the incidence of crime.

Archbishop Petero Mataca says people are no longer living in fear as the security forces now act if crimes are being committed.

"The general public, the ordinary people on the streets, they are happy. Happy that there is not too many laws broken now and homes broken in by thieves."

But Archbishop Petero Mataca says the armed forces should also ensure that human rights are respected and violations dealt with.