FIJI: Social advocate Father Kevin Barr relieved after regime backs down
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Item: 8182
Mika Loga
SUVA (Fiji Broadcasting Corporation News / Pacific Media Watch): Social justice advocate Father Kevin Barr says he is relieved after the Fiji government withdrew an order to have him
removed from the country.
A statement from the government last night read that Father Barr had been declared a "prohibited immigrant" for
breaching his work permit which expires in December.
Father Barr has been doing community work in the country for the past thirty two years. is still trying to come to terms
with government’s decision yesterday.
It’s understood the decision to remove Father Barr came after he made comments about replacing the Fiji flag with a
Chinese flag.
I ask questions, I express my opinions and I hope that it is accepted in a good way. I think I have to accept criticisms
even though I'm not right all the time…I also have to try to be critical, where necessary. If that's taken the wrong
way, I'm sorry. I mean you never know where misunderstanding can occur ... misreporting can occur.
After presentations to Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, Father Barr met with Immigration Minister Joketani Cokanasiga
this morning.
It was in this meeting that Cokanasiga decided to withdraw the prohibited immigrant declaration and the removal order
against Father Barr.
ENDS