7 Nov 2009

Australia National University sends a formal complaint to Fiji over Lal expulsion

11:49 am on 7 November 2009

The Australian National University has sent a formal complaint to Fiji over the expulsion of one of its top academics.

Professor Brij Lal was detained and given 24 hours to leave the country on Wednesday after the Fiji military regime took offence to comments he made in the media.

The university has sent a letter to the Fiji High Commission in Canberra, condemning Prof Lal's treatment and forced deportation.

In the letter, the University says Professor Lal was born in Fiji, and has risen to become a leading Pacific historian as well as an important commentator on contemporary Fiji politics.

It goes onto say for the Fiji military to expel him in this way is unacceptable.