Decree to protect illegal regime

PEOPLES COALITION GOVERNMENT, FIJI

Issue No: 73; 30 September 2000

Decree to protect illegal regime

The interim regime has announced that it is considering the promulgation of decrees to safeguard its interests.

A report in today's Daily Post (30 Sept) stated a government spokesperson as saying that strict control must be put into place to prevent sabotage of the economy by those working to counter the objectives of the interim regime.

The Post noted that the regime was considering formulating decrees to "safeguard the economy from sabotage", and for "national security". No further details are available.

But the terms "safeguarding the economy" and "national security" are familiar to Fiji as the post-1987 military coup regime had promulgated numerous decrees with the same proclaimed aims. These decrees invariably curbed trade union activities, outlawed strikes in the sugar and other industries, and curbed political meetings and other forms of dissent.

It is understood that this time the decrees will include a purge on media freedom and also include Fiji citizens campaigning abroad for trade and economic sanctions against the apartheid regime.

Already the SVT has called on the regime to charge Peoples Coalition Prime Minister with treason for "making damaging reports about Fiji overseas".

END

30 September 2000.

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