31 Aug 2007

Deposed Fiji PM describes report from Human Rights Commission as tantamount to contempt of court

9:51 am on 31 August 2007

Fiji's deposed prime minister has criticised a report by the Fiji Human Rights Commission which says the December 5th military takeover could not be legally and constitutionally defined as a coup.

In the report the commission director, Dr Shaista Shameem, says what happened on that day were the actions of a president exercising his powers under section 86 of the constitution.

The report says Mr Qarase's removal was not in violation of his human rights.

But Mr Qarase has told the Fiji Times he is extremely disappointed because it is tantamount to contempt of court because the matter is before the courts and subjuduce.

Mr Qarase has called on the judiciary to investigate Dr Shameem because she seems to hold three positions - that of investigator, prosecutor and judge.

Mr Qarase says no one should have that privilege.