13 Jan 2010

Uncertainty remains over sacking of Fiji magistrates

3:14 pm on 13 January 2010

Uncertainty continues to surround the circumstances of this month's sacking of three Fiji magistrates.

The Fiji President's Office, which is officially the appointing body, has declined to say why the three were dismissed - only months after they were hired under a so-called new legal order.

The Office has referred inquiries on the matter to the interim attorney general, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, as it says matters pertaining to the appointment of judges are with him.

However, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum has said the Fiji judiciary is independent and the magistrates' contracts were terminated by the President.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum has told Radio Australia that he doesn't have to give a reason why they were sacked because that is a decision by the executive.