The Fiji government has ignored widespread criticism and tabled its controversial Reconciliation and Unity Bill in parliament.
Last minute protests and appeals were brushed aside as the attorney general, Qoriniasi Bale, moved the first reading of the Bill in the absence of the prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, from the House.
Earlier, the acting speaker, Manasa Tuqia, rejected a Labour Party request not to allow the introduction of the Bill because it had not gone through parliamentary procedures.
Mr Bale told parliament the Bill will promote effective reconciliation and genuine unity following the political and civil unrest of the year 2000.
Radio Fiji reports that a number of senior army and naval officers were present in parliament to monitor the tabling of the Bill which the military has condemned as the Reconciliation Bull.
The radio report says their presence was believed to have rattled some MPs on the government side.
