15 Sep 2011

Fiji AG rejects NZ Law Society comments as obtuse

5:14 am on 15 September 2011

The Fiji interim attorney general says the president of the New Zealand Law Society, Jonathan Temm, is seriously misinformed about events in Fiji.

The Law Society has frequently spoken out about developments in Fiji, and most recently criticised the increased limits on the Methodist Church, unions, the removal of academics and the unexplained deaths of four tourists.

But Mr Sayed-Khaiyum calls the claims obtuse and says they lack substance.

He says the Law Society has been repeatedly invited to Fiji to meet lawyers and judges and learn about their law changes but relies on hearsay and untruthful media reports.

The interim minister claims there are no restrictions on freedom of religion.

He also denies the four deaths are unexplained and defends Fiji as a safe destination.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum says the Fiji Law Society continues to operate and he rejects the claim that the regime has forced academics to resign.

He says all people, including New Zealanders, have equal access to the law in Fiji.