(PINA/IFEX) – On 7 July 1998, Fiji’s House of Representatives began a special sitting in which the Government intends to put in place legislation allowing for the declaration of a state of emergency. The proposed Emergency Powers Act 1998 includes a section enabling the introduction of regulations for “censorship and the control of and suppression […]
(PINA/IFEX) – On 7 July 1998, Fiji’s House of Representatives began a
special sitting in which the Government intends to put in place legislation
allowing for the declaration of a state of emergency. The proposed Emergency
Powers Act 1998 includes a section enabling the introduction of regulations
for “censorship and the control of and suppression of publications,
writings, maps, plans, photographs, communications and means of
communications.” The act’s many other proposed powers include allowing the
entry and search of premises and the arrest, detention and deportation of
people. Fines of up to $F20,000 (US$ 10,000) and jail terms of up to 14
years could be imposed for harming the operation of major industries.
Opposition Fiji Labour Party parliamentary leader Mahendra Chaudhry called
the proposed legislation “draconian”. He said it would take away rights
given under a new Constitution which comes into force on 27 July 1998. He
said his party will strongly oppose the Emergency Powers Act. The Government
says that, under the 1990 Constitution, the president has the power in
certain circumstances to declare a state of emergency and issue decrees
which displace various rights and freedoms. When the new Constitution comes
into effect that power will be repealed. The proposed legislation still
enables the president to declare a state of emergency, it says.
Fiji’s new Constitution replaces one brought in by the interim government
which was in power after two military coups in 1987. The introduction of
the Emergency Powers Act comes amid protests by canefarmers which are
keeping economically important sugar mills idle. Separate protests by
landowners threaten the country’s hydro power supply. Armed soldiers have
been sent to guard the hydro scheme, which provides most of the electricity
for the main island, Viti Levu.
