16 Jul 2007

Fiji's Leung says judiciary is last bastion against tyranny

2:01 pm on 16 July 2007

The former president of the Fiji Law Society says he still believes the judiciary in Fiji can uphold the rule of law.

Suva lawyer Graham Leung is mounting a legal challenge to a travel ban placed on him by the interim administration.

Mr Leung, who had been invited to speak at a seminar on Fiji in Wellington tomorrow, says he was turned away from Suva airport when he tried to board a flight this morning.

He says no-one has told him directly why he's banned from travelling, but he believes it's because he's been criticising what he describes as Fji's "dictatorship" on the international stage.

Mr Leung says he's filed papers with the Fiji High Court and believes his challenge stands a chance.

"Look, I've got to believe that, whether or not it actually happens remains to be seen, but the judiciary is the last bastion against tyranny and for as long as there are independent judges that listen to the evidence then I've got nothing to fear and I've got nothing to lose by filing papers."

The former president of the Fiji Law Society, Graham Leung.