20 Jul 2012

Fiji AG steps up rhetoric against Constitution Commission

1:16 pm on 20 July 2012

Fiji's interim attorney-general has stepped up his rhetoric against the Constitution Commission, accusing it now of undermining the rule of law in Fiji.

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum launched the attack on FBC News after the regime earlier issued a statement rejecting the Commission's comments as factually incorrect assertions.

The Commission criticised new decrees enshrining immunity for those involved in Fiji's coups in the next constitution and the regime leader's control over the body to debate the draft document.

It said the wide reaching powers of the security forces are particularly worrying, as is the lack of access to the courts.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum has disputed this, saying security forces are subject to the laws and have faced charges.

The Commission is tasked with drawing up a new constitition after the Fiji regime abolished the 1997 document three years ago after the appeal court ruled that the post-coup interim government was illegal.