12 Jan 2012

Fiji union leader says new public order rules make Fiji a police state

9:23 am on 12 January 2012

A Fiji trade union leader Felix Anthony says the interim regime's new laws on public order have taken Fiji a huge step backwards and the country is now a police state.

Mr Anthony says the latest measures are even more draconian than the Public Emergency Regulations.

Mr Anthony says he is particulary concerned about the extended powers given to the Commissioner of Police.

"I think he has taken the role of the judiciary in many instances where he has the powers now to stop anyone leaving the country or stop anyone moving around freely within Fiji, also to stop any meetings at will."

Felix Anthony says the international community needs to seriously look at the provisions of the decree.