24 May 2005

Tongan government claims planned protest march will threaten safety of schoolchildren

10:11 am on 24 May 2005

The government of Tonga says a protest march calling for greater democracy will disrupt an annual parade of school children.

A statement says the protest march to coincide with the opening of Parliament, will clash with the parade which is expected to include all secondary schools on the main island of Tongatapu.

The government says this will unnecessarily put the children's safety and well being at risk.