New Zealand's Green Party says it's surprised by reports that the New Zealand High Commission in Fiji has tried to stop ten Fijian boy scouts from entering the country to attend a scout jamboree.
The Fiji Times reports that contingent leader, Ratu Meli Yabakivou said the New Zealand High Commission in Suva made it clear that the children's military connections meant that applications for visas for the 10 were not worth lodging.
The Green Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Keith Locke, says the government should act with more common sense and show some compassion for the boys.
He says while the Green Party supports the travel restrictions on members of the military government, it should not penalise ten year old children.
"Already there's a waiver system in place given to the education minister of Fiji a few weeks back to come here to attend the Pacific Education conference. I'm sure he's more responsible for the military government of Fiji and its restraining of democracy there than some ten year old kid coming to a jamboree."
Keith Locke from New Zealand's Green Party
