14 May 2012

No move to change Fiji decrees - Attorney General

5:05 am on 14 May 2012

Fiji's interim Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum has reiterated there will be no change to decrees which some say will inhibit people speaking out during public consultations on the new constitution.

There have been calls for the Public Order Amendment Decree and other decrees to be removed before the process begins next month.

The Constitution Commission head Professor Yash Ghai says he feels it is time for a law review.

But Mr Sayed Khaiyum says critics are already freely speaking out.

"What is quite ironic is that you have people like [Laisenia] Qarase and various others, appearing on TV and radio saying I not free to say what I am saying, but in fact they're saying what they are saying."

Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum says the decrees will help create a platform for people to discuss important issues like social and economic rights.