20 Jan 2010

Amnesty urges Fiji interim regime to revoke recent measures violating human rights

12:56 pm on 20 January 2010

The human rights organisation, Amnesty International, is calling on Fiji's interim regime to immediately stop all measures which violate human rights, including freedom of expression.

The organisation's call comes after what it's labelling the persecution, under legal pretext, of prominent human rights lawyer Imrana Jalal by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.

Ms Jalal is facing seven charges under the Prevention of Bribery Promulgation 2007 including operating a restaurant without a licence and has been ordered to surrender her passport.

Amnesty International is calling on Fiji's interim government to cease all interference with the independence of the judiciary and to stop its threats, harassment, intimidation, and persecution of its critics.

It also wants the interim regime to revoke a ban on the Methodist Church's annual conference and stop persecuting senior members of the church.