25 Jan 2011

Tuvalu MP says bans cause chaos

7:07 pm on 25 January 2011

A Tuvalu opposition MP, Enele Sopoaga, says the government's implementation of the public order act two weeks ago has caused chaos in the community.

The government brought in the measures, banning public gatherings, after a protest in the capital Funafuti.

The measures, which had never been applied before in Tuvalu, were put in place for 14 days initially and are due to be reviewed on Thursday.

Mr Sopoaga says it has been a high handed, irresponsible move by the government, that's undermined people's traditional, marae based, communication.

"The process for dialogue and for open transparent communications between the communities on the capital island has been taken away. As you know the dialogue process and the consultation process is fundemental to the existence of Tuvalu's communal practices, traditional and customary practices."